Jonathan Vale's POV
BOOM!
PSSSSS!
BOOOMMMM!!
Thud!
"Cough... Cough..."
I coughed violently as thick gunpowder smoke filled the air, burning my throat while the entire building trembled under the relentless bombardment. Dust drifted from the cracked ceiling with every deafening explosion, sprinkling the cold concrete floor like grey snow.
The bitter smoke invaded my lungs, leaving the foul taste of gunpowder coating my tongue as if I had just swallowed the blasted thing itself.
Licking my dried lips, I turned toward my parents, who were huddled together in the corner. My mother buried her trembling face against my father's shoulder while he held her tightly, though his own shaking hands betrayed the fear he desperately tried to hide.
"Mother... Father... are you both alright?" I asked softly, forcing a calm smile that even I couldn't believe.
