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161
Sofia
As Fausto celebrated, I removed two more pieces from the board.
“Pawns take bishop and rook.”
162
Niccolo
“NO!” I screamed as Adriano fell halfway between me and Dario.
Dario looked over at me from 40 feet away, crouched behind a pillar, a look of panic on his face.
He didn’t have a gun.
He was defenseless.
I saw him glance at the pistol lying in the grass next to Adriano.
“NO – STAY THERE!” I screamed.
I fired my gun into the ruins as I sprinted for Dario.
I didn’t make it.
I felt the pain like three sharp explosions in my chest and abdomen.
They knocked the breath out of me, and I finally understood why the others reacted the way they had.
I stumbled to the ground and collapsed on my side.
I looked down at my chest…
And stared at the bright red spreading wetly across my shirt.
163
Sofia
Iwinced in agony as Niccolo fell to the ground.
It felt likeIhad been shot.
I shuddered as I watched him lying there…
And hated Fausto with all my heart as he jeered, “Fuck YOU, Machiavelli!”
I removed another piece with trembling fingers.
“…pawn takes knight.”
164
Niccolo
As I lay there, a man ran up –