Big Joe kept his hand out. Black gun in his hand. James reached his hand out as slow as he could. Maybe if he moved slow enough then the inevitable would never happen. Maybe if he moved just slow enough... then he wouldn't need to shoot his high school friend. Just maybe. Just--

No. The steel was now on his palm. Big Joe didn't flinch. Looked James right in the eye. The two men grasped either side of the gun. Big Joe's palm facing up. James' facing down. He had to exert force into his forearms in order to grab the gun from him.

It was heavy. He lifted it and pointed it at Chad. Pulled the trigger. Nothing came out. He pulled more. A loud bang caused his ears to ring. Blood stained Chad's right shoulder.

"Aim through the sights." Big Joe said.

Chad waved his head. His eyes pleading. Mouth barely able to make noise. Muffled.

James looked through the sight. Aimed at his high school classmate's head. Fired.