In the next breath, the air completely leaves my lungs as a tall, dark-haired man grabs me, literally sweeping my feet from under me. The panic slows, the noise a mere blur as his hands wrap around my body, pulling me to him before we land hard on my back onto the sidewalk. My head is protected by his hand, his strong body covering mine. I can barely breathe as his weight sandwiches me between him and the sidewalk, protecting me. The noise of the gunfire rushes back into my senses as soon as my shock settles, and I bury my head against him, my face firmly planted into his chest.

Popping noises continue, alongside the overwhelming sound of multiple people yelling orders, including my savior, who is still on top of me. I have no idea what they are saying, though, and that only makes me more nervous. I grip onto his shirt even tighter, squeezing my eyes, the feeling of his body the only comforting sense I have to give me hope of surviving.

Then, everything stops. Things go silent, eerily so, and he moves his head until his lips meet my ears.

“You’re okay. Everything is okay,” he says in a deep baritone voice, with a hint of accent that feels like honey poured down my body, soothing me instantly from the inside out.

My grip on him remains white-knuckled, my eyes still squeezed shut, as I hear him shouting again, his hands firmly around my body, keeping me wrapped in his arms. Before I know what is happening, he lifts me effortlessly, and is standing on the sidewalk. I have no idea what is happening or who he even is, but I decide to trust him.

“Hold on, Little Red. I need to make sure you are safe.” My legs circle his waist, my arms wind around his neck, and as I rest my head against his solid chest, his masculine aroma calms me.

But then I lift my head for a moment and immediately wish I hadn’t. The first dead body I ever saw was my mother’s and that was two months ago. I can now add another five or so to that list, although the sight of these men is much more disturbing. I bury my head into the crook of his neck, the image of what I just saw now burned into my brain, almost making me retch.

His arm around my lower waist keeps me with him, while he yells some more, and I try to think of anything other than what could possibly be happening right now. What I’ve been witness to.