– "Gunfire"
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Panel 1
Scene: Next night, 9:00 PM. Rena sits alone at the dining table. Clock shows 9:00.
SFX: TICK TICK
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Panel 2
Scene: Rena picks up her phone and calls Joile.
SFX: RING RING
Rena (on phone):
Hey, hubby. You okay? You're late.
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Panel 3
Scene: Joile's voice over phone, background noise loud—sirens, shouting, GUNSHOTS.
Joile (over phone):
Hey babe! Sorry, I forgot to tell you—I'm on a stakeout with the team.
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Panel 4
Scene: Rena's eyes widen. She hears gunfire through the phone.
SFX (Phone): BANG! BANG! BANG!
Rena (alarmed):
Wait—what?! I just heard gunshots! Where are you?!
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Panel 5
Scene: Joile ducks behind a police car, still on the phone, calm under pressure.
Joile:
Yeah, things got messy. We're trying to catch the dealers tonight.
I'm not coming home, so don't wait up.
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Panel 6
Scene: Rena, frozen in place, gripping the phone tightly. Her expression is full of fear.
Rena:
Joile… please be safe. Please come back in one piece.
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Panel 7
Scene: Joile, crouched with weapon drawn, whispering into the phone.
Joile:
I will. Love you. Gotta hang up now.
SFX: CLICK
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Panel 8
Scene: Rena lowers the phone, staring at the blank screen. She sits down heavily in the chair, visibly shaken.
Narration (Rena's thoughts):
I hate this job…
I hate feeling helpless…
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