Figure It Out for Yourself

by Chase James

Gunfire banged right by us, making us start back Slugs smashed through the door.

‘They’re right outside,’ I whispered to Mary. ‘Go into th e other room.’

‘Why?’ She peered at me, her eyes large in her white face.

‘Get in there and don’t ask questions.’

She went, crawling on hands and knees.

‘Got an automatic on you?’ I asked Mac, my lips close to his ear.

He nodded.

‘So’s Joe.’

I crawled over to Joe, found the .38 automatic, pushed down the front of his trousers, and crawled back to Mac.

‘Listen: I’m going up on the roof. The moment I start firing, open the door. With any luck, they won’t see you until it’s too late. You’ve got to shoot quick and you’ve got to hit them. There’re five, remember.’