[236] I'm curious to know if this works as the opening? Is it well-paced?

crit-386 (it's not much, but I'm not posting much).

Literally any feedback would be appreciated.

Bang!

Before we could move any further, a gunshot rung clearly throughout the forest. “What was that?” I asked Rat. “I don’t know. Let’s check it out!” he told me before running off. “Wait! Hold on!” Great. I couldn’t just leave Rat now could I?

When we arrived… I– I… couldn’t believe it…

Lying on the floor… was… was– Kai… bleeding everywhere.

“KAI!”

There was so much blood… blood everywhere…

“You know this kid?”

“Knew…” Rat corrected.

“Call 911!” I demanded. Rat didn’t say anything. “NOW!”

Rat put his hand on my shoulder. “Buddy. He’s–”

“SHUT-UP!” I screamed, knocking his hand off me.

I put both of my hands over his chest and started pumping. Of course, I didn’t have the slightest clue how to do CPR, but I didn’t care. Repeatedly, over, and over, and over again. Can’t stop. Can’t stop! Ignore the blood everywhere… just ignore it.

“June…” Rat called out to me, sympathetic.

“No… no…” I looked into Kai’s cold eyes, and I knew. I knew. They– they were vacant. He. He had passed away. I kneeled over him, bawling my eyes out. “Kai…”

Distant sirens blared. “Oh, shit! It’s the cops!” Rat exclaimed.

Damn it! Why did they have to show up now? If they didn’t, maybe I could have… no. Kai had already passed.

“Alright. Rat, you grab his legs–” I looked back to find Rat nowhere to be found. “Rat?”