"Everyone's dispersing.

Run faster."

Sungwon pulled us along.

We were tired but he kept pushing us from behind.

"You guys alright?"

"Stop...

Talking..."

Nahyun panted.

People ran past as the soldiers fired into the crowd.

Some fell around us.

Why did we have to be so close to the front?

Something ripped through my left arm.

But I couldn't feel it yet.

"Oh no, I'm sorry Jieun, but you have to keep running.

We'll take care of it when we get back."

All I could think was that at least it wasn't my right arm.

"Alright, enough."

We slowed to a stop and ducked behind a building.

Nahyun tore open my sleeve.

I felt my stomach turn over.

"Don't look at it.

Let's get you to the clinic.

I'm sorry, it's going to scar."

I could only manage a faint nod.

I could feel it now. 

The dull throbbing added to my nausea.

A distant voice murmured.

"She's in shock."

It's disorienting to see a wound on your own body.

I remember the cut I got from chopping vegetables.

A bubble of blood slowly grew until it burst, and everything felt hazy until my mother covered it.

But I escaped death by centimeters.

There was a piece of metal, imbedded somewhere in my body.

A gaping hole was oozing blood.

The air became thick, and the world clouded over.