Page 449 of Coal Hearts

I feinted to the side.

I tried to get close enough to kill him.

Bang.

The punch of the paintball shot all the air from my lungs.

A burning pain feathered from my sternum.

Choking, I reeled back.

Bang.

This time in my belly.

I doubled over.

Bang.

Pain in my shoulder.

I stumbled sideways.

Bang.

A wallop on my wrist.

I dropped the knife.

Bang.

Agony in my thigh.

I tripped.

And then...there were too many to count.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

I fell backward.

My feet tangled with Peter’s.

I collapsed.

In a blur of speed, Kyle ran toward me, kicked away my knife, and towered over me on the ground.

With an evil smile, he emptied his entire clip into me.

Pain.

Everywhere.

Pain.