The men entered both stores at the same time and quickly. Erin had barely looked up when a shot fired, hitting her straight in the shoulder, she spun, hit her head on the counter, and collapsed as another bullet struck her. The fall knocking her around saved her life, she was mistaken for dead.

Ed Shank received a wild shot to his shoulder, one to his thigh, and his head was stomped into the ground with a boot. He had simply gone out to buy a coffee from a former student.

Therese grabbed Ana and spun. A bullet ripped her shoulder open as she shielded the child. She fell to the ground, holding Ana up so she did not impact. A man Kicked Therese in the face and then spun towards Kara, he grabbed Kara and pulled her hair, smashing her head into the counter. He smashed her head two more times until she collapsed. Kara’s last thought was why is it always her face? As blood flowed from her face and the world turned black.

Another man came in from the Kookie Mart dragging Peter, who had already taken several hits to his face and as bleeding.

“Where is the heroin?” asked the man. He shoved a pistol into Peter’s back. The man was dirty, nasty and reeked of evil, but he was stronger and he had the gun.

“I don’t know, I never had it.” pleaded Peter.

The man aimed his pistol at Ana, then lowered it and shot Therese in the leg as she again spun to shield Ana. Therese jumped in pain, but continued to shield the child. Peter tried freeing himself of the man, but he was good and had the gun in him too.

“Give us the drugs, now.” The man ordered Peter.

“I never had them.” yelled Peter.

The man shot Peter in the chest. “Tell me where they are.” The man said. Peter tried talking, but it hurt to breathe.

Vivo came running into the shop, he tackled one of the gunman, and tried fighting him for his gun. The other man shot Vivo, shot him again, and then shot him two more times. Vivo only flinched for the first three, he lay motionless on the floor.

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“Tell us where the dru” The man did not finish, his head ripped open in the impact of three .45 caliber bullets. The other man turned, and his face was removed with another three .45 caliber holes. Ben stood there and reloaded. He picked up the phone and dialed. He ran from person to person checking them as he talked. He repositioned Erin so her airway was open. He saw Ana was moving and was not red.

Ben saw Therese stir and saw the wound in her leg and shoulder. He pulled off her belt, and wrapped it above her knee, taking a spoon off the counter to twist the tourniquet in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. Ben pulled Kara back, pulled her head up, and straightened her airway, then looked at Peter and saw him stirring. Last, Ben ran to Vivo and began compressing his chest.

Ed Shank crawled over to Ben to help with rescue breathing, He pulled out his phone to call 911. Ben gave him a number to call quickly for his preferred ambulance. They said they would be there fast.

Therese shook on the floor, she felt cold. She cradled Ana and was glad she was warm. Therese ignored her own wounds, looking Ana over, and was grateful the young child was safe. “Thank You, God.” Therese prayed. Therese tried to get up, her leg flopped. She was finally able to shove back with one leg and scoot herself up against the wall to prop Ana up. Therese moved her head to look at Peter, and as she turned her head, blood leaked out of her mouth. Therese turned her head and did her best to keep the blood off Ana. “I want you to look at me.” said Therese to Peter.

Peter crawled on one side, He spit out a tooth from having his face smashed in, He didn’t want Therese’s last sight of him looking like this, but he obliged her the same. He crawled on the floor, to her, and crawled against her side, before he could look up.

“I’m sorry I’m not beautiful for you, but I kept my promise, I kept her safe.” said Therese, spitting up more blood, as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

“You are always beautiful, thank you.” said Peter, squeezing her hand, and looking up at Ana before he passed out.

Kara came to and started crawling towards Therese. Therese used all her strength to raise her arm and stop Kara. “Take Erin’s ring and put it on Vivo, don’t let him die.” said Therese as best she could and a volume of blood poured out her mouth as she said it. “Do it.” said Therese, struggling to keep Ana upright.

Kara drew her strength, and did as she was told, Therese had never asked anything of her and she would not fail her. Kara stumbled walking, over to Erin, and took Erin’s ring off her finger, then collapsed near Vivo as Ben continued chest compressions and Mr. Shank did rescue breathing. Somehow she had enough strength to raise her arm and the ring fit over Vivo’s finger. Relieved of her duty to Therese, Kara collapsed again.