No Miracles — Charlie Gallagher

On a police radio a panic button is pushed. Across the town of Langthorne every police officer feels their radio tremble against their chest, a warning beep through their earpiece. They stop what they are doing and turn an expectant ear, somewhere a colleague is in trouble. For a second or two nothing happens, then the terrified voice of one of their own. The voice reads a short message, a little cry as the realisation of the words sinks in. Then the airwaves are filled with the sound of a gunshot. Langthorne police are routed to the ground, the air goes dead but the button is pushed again so the officer's rasping last breath is broadcast. With the hour it will happen again. And again. No suspects, no witnesses, no miracles.