The gunshot tore through the air with a force that seemed to stop time itself.
For a split second, no one moved. The sound echoed against the walls, sharp and final, leaving behind a ringing silence that pressed heavily against every ear in the room. The officers stood frozen, their weapons still raised, their eyes searching desperately for what had just happened.
Sebastian felt it before he fully understood it.
A burning impact brushed past him, sharp and sudden, forcing his body to jerk sideways as instinct took over. The bullet did not hit him fully, but it grazed him hard enough to tear through his side, sending a wave of pain that spread quickly through his body. He staggered, his hand moving to his side as warm blood began to soak through his shirt.
The room exploded into chaos immediately after.
"Shot fired!"
"Take him down!"
