'C'mon Jack,' Zeke pleaded from behind me, 'it's not like that. You know I'd never rat you out. Put the gun away. C'mon, why don't I buy you a drink?' By now, Zeke's was a blubbering mass, the tears obvious in his voice.

'You talk to much Zeke, always have. And who's this,' Jack said, motioning to me, 'your latest tart?'

'Oh God, Jack. C'mon. She's my kid sister. She don't know nothin', leave her out of it.'

I stared, transfixed as the tiny instrument of death glinted in the light of the distant street lamp. The barrel seemed to reach toward me, swallowing the world. It's not something you think about while watching shoot-outs on TV, but when face to face with the real deal, it's amazing how such a small piece of metal can completely influence your future.

Take Zeke, for instance. He panicked.

As Zeke did an OJ, Jack raised the gun, taking a bead on my brother's back, and called a single warning. Zeke ignored it.

The next moment thunder filled the air as the gun jerked.

In the distance, Zeke collapsed.

	16:53 EST   May 5th, 2008 – by Chris Sadler Wow. This snippet does an excellent job of slowing down the events. It's like that when things like this happen (not that I've ever been shot at!): everything seems to slow down... I also liked how 'Sil' focused on the gun - that was important to convey how she was transfixed. The mention of how some people panic seems to suggest that she doesn't. I like that, too. On a side note, the 'did an OJ' line was priceless!
	17:24 EST   May 5th, 2008 – by Allison Johnson nice work, Simon. as always. :)
	12:12 EST   Feb 27th, 2009 – by Captain Whitney 'thunder filled the air as the gun jerked.' I love the description in this passge -- and I am freaking out about what happened at the end!