I look up as the dust clears, there he is, him and the Governor.

“Did this man really kill our kids? My son!?” I grab my heart and groan, then point at him, “That bastard killed them!” The secret service guy points, “Your daughter, then…” The man pretends to hold back tears as the Governor clenches his fists with a wild stare, then looks to the soldiers, “Kill him! Now!” The guy asks, “What about the GU?” He points and snarls like a feral dog, “I’ll handle them! Kill him and everyone like him! Under the Terrorism Act!” I back up as the man motions, “Ready!” Bested by the monster attached to the Governor’s left shoulder. “Aim!” I put my arms up to cover my head, “Fire!” Bullets whizz past and crack into me like nails. I roar at the pain.

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Son, I wish I reached out. It wasn’t like me to give up on you. I’m sorry. I huff and puff as the bullets stop. To my surprise, my skin’s hard, dry. Big dents, melted lead steaming against cracked, thickened skin.

They all lower their guns and stare in shock. I grab my heart and point at the Governor, “I only ever killed for country, I tried to save them from him!” The Governor shouts to a tank, “Open fire! Now!” It’s turret turns and the tank rocks back, a flash followed by a big explosion, I jumped away, yet my back shatters, bad shockwave travels up to my head. God, you there? I know- Only when I need something. Somehow, I manage to pick myself up and run. Give my son, our family, offer them paradise. Something pounds into me, the shock, the explosion on impact, I fly towards a pile of rubble with a sense of hope.