The events happen so rapidly that my mind can barely process them. One moment the cruel man is advancing on me with murderous intent, the next he's lying in a crumpled heap as more shouts and gunfire erupt.
"Get down! Police!"
I cower back in the chair, arms thrown up to shield my face as two more of the gang members are cut down in a blaze of gunfire. They never had a chance against the heavily armed officers.
Through the chaos, I catch glimpses of Charles still bound and motionless on the floor. Terror grips me that he may have been hit by a stray bullet.
Just as suddenly as it began, the room falls into an eerie silence, broken only by harsh breathing and the metallic click of weapons being readied. Slowly, I lower my arms to find the last gang member on his knees, hands on his hea
