If he were not so damned impaired, he’d have snapped off a perfect shot and been on his way within a minute. As it was, he had to wait until the edge of the gas station roof stopped expanding and contracting. He wiped sweat from his brow with one sleeve. Oddly, the acid seemed to help his aim. The sentry stood out from the background as if lit by a spotlight. He seemed simultaneously very far away and mere feet from Nikoloz.
Nikoloz waited until the man turned toward him, let out his breath gently, and squeezed off two shots.
The sentry dropped. Nikoloz prayed it was because he’d hit his mark, and not because he’d only winged the man. Billy sucked in a deep breath. He was trembling. Nikoloz put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “It is a hard thing to watch, especially the first time. It will be all right if you wish to cry.”
Billy squared his shoulders. “I won’t. He was bad. I’m going in there and get my sister out.”