Bang.

• Rumesha Kashif, Grade 12
• Short Story
• 2015

Bang. She sits there amongst the shattered glass and chaos. Her eyes focused on the image
outside the broken window. Savages. Guns. Death. Two bangs. Where are they? Were they
shot? She needs to do something. But her body is unresponsive. Her fear overpowers her
once again. Maybe she can live through this. Never. She knows she’s too weak, too much
of a coward. Without them she’s bound to die. Three bangs. She sees it tucked under his
coat. She yanks it out. Her fingers tremble as she clutches it. Four bangs. She sees them
march towards her window. By chance they stride right by her. Her body shudders in
relief. The movement catches the gaze of the last beast. Five bangs. The sight of blood in
his eyes unnerves her. She’s terrified, but above all angry. She’s furious at herself, at her
lack of fight, independence. She wants her today and needs to secure it herself. Six bangs.
Her gun points at the monster as his points at her. She sees more approaching behind
him. She watches his finger slide over the trigger as she prepares herself.

Seven bangs.

Seven bullets.

All seven fired by the gun in her trembling hands. Bodies fall around. Limp. Lifeless. Defeated. Yet she remains standing. Shaking. Courageous. Independent. And amongst the shattered glass and chaos she fights.