IZABELLA
The explosion hit like a wave, knocking me off my feet.
The ground trembled beneath me, and the air was thick with smoke.
I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see clearly.
I felt arms around me, but all I could hear were the screams, the shouts, the frantic rush of footsteps as people tried to escape. I stayed down, my hands clutching the floor beneath me, trying to steady myself, my mind racing.
Violet and Nicole were in the crowd. Oh my God.
Another explosion ripped through the air, and debris flew. I bent over instinctively, using my arms to shield myself from the flying glass and splinters of wood. But someone crowded around me.
My heart was pounding, and my breath came in short gasps. The smoke swirled around me, burning my lungs.
“Izabella!” Ignazio’s voice cut through
