Chapter 15: Eating Bullets

The fighting outside stopped. A heavy silence followed.

Etzli and Paras, still holed up in the bathroom, looked at each other.

The sounds of movement outside. Several people, working in tandem. None of them spoke. They were quiet and unhurried, precise, well coordinated. They sounded almost casual, like they were rearranging furniture.

"Oh, hell." Paras took a deep, exhausted breath. "That's the Special Tactics Operational Unit."

"Doesn't sound good," Etzli said.

"It isn't. We should've attacked the shock troops on the street. At least then, we would've had a chance. Now?" Paras shrugged. "We might as well relax while we wait. When they want to come in, they'll come in."

Groaning with relief as she shifted into a more comfortable position, Etzli said, "Has it finally happened? Have we actually met someone you don't want to fight?"