Madeline Assesses the Situation

Already on edge Madeline pulled out her 10mm pistol, but she didn't blast away. She drew a bead on the approaching figure and yelled.

"Stop right there!" she screamed, her voice tinged with both fear and hostility.

"Wow, wow, wow!" the rag clad figure said holding up his hands and dropping a rusty looking shiv "Don't shoot!"

"Back up!" Madeline yelled, "Get the hell away."

"Sorry I...I thought you were gonna rob me!?" The brown haired man said, his voice weak as he took a step back and continued to plead.

"I don't want no trouble!" he said waving his hands high "I...I got a family please don't shoot!"

Madeline noticed his eyes, they moved off her face and looked--

Behind her she heard a rustle, she turned to face the noise and three figures armed with clubs and knives.

She made a hasty shot at the closest approaching person, she fired twice. One round hit home and he bowled over in pain. She fired wildly as the other two goons rushed her, backing away instinctively--toward the first man who accosted her.

Madeline lined up a clear shot, was about to squeeze the trigger...then...everything...went...black.