17
Time seems to slow.
I can’t think, aside from something along the lines of I’m so f****d, which repeats over and over in my mind.
I lose control of every muscle, including the ones that help keep my body upright, and start falling toward the ground. The fall also happens in that strange, slow-motion way.
And then I’m standing a few feet away from my body, behind the sheriff. My frozen self is suspended mid-fall. The shock of getting shot must’ve caused me to phase into the Quiet, possibly for the last time.
I run toward my statue-like self to assess the severity of the damage.
To my surprise and relief, I don’t see any blood gushing from a wound on his/my body. However, there are wires attached to my chest. These wires lead back to the youngest deputy, who’s standing to my right.
