Like thunder splitting the heavens, the gunshot cracked through the air.
Then—absolute silence.
For one impossible second, no one moved. The world itself held its breath. The warm scent of popcorn still filled the air. The words and arguments from just moments ago died in their throats.
Then Isabelle crumpled.
Bang!
Her body fell with a loud sound as it hit the tiled floor and collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut.
“ISABELLE!” Aria’s scream tore through the stillness, sharp and raw. She ran forward, barely catching Josh as he sobbed and clung to her leg, his tiny fists trembling in fear.
Daniel knees gave way as he held into Isabelle's body and he pressed them against the wound. “No, no, no… Isabelle, stay with me! Look at me, please stay with me!”
Blood gushed between
