Demolition Before the Bloom

sounded exactly like a dry branch snapping in half under a heavy boot.

Agony exploded behind my eyes.

A blinding flash of white light overtook my vision, wiping out the country club, the trees, and the people.

I hit the ground, landing hard in the dirt.

For a second, there was no sound at all.

Just a high-pitched, piercing ringing in my ears.

I couldn’t continue reading …