224: Hell, Chaos

Camilla The man’s voice came through the café’s silence, and his conversation with the police was in stark contrast to the chaos outside. “Yes, hello! There’s been a shooting at the cinema on Main Street. People are running everywhere, and we’re trapped in a café. We need immediate assistance!” He paused, listening intently. “Yes, I’ll stay on the line. Please hurry.” He hung up the phone and peeked out from behind the counter, his face grim. “They’re on their way, but it could be a while. We need to stay put and stay low.” Sasha and I moved further back into our booth, our eyes glued to the door as if it might provide some clue about what was happening outside. The muffled sounds of sirens began to approach, providing a sliver of hope amidst the fear. The man’s phone rang again, and he picked it up, speaking in a low, urgent tone. “Okay, thanks. I’ll let everyone know,” he said before hanging up. He looked over at us, his expression still fraught with worry. “The police are on the