For Hire: Fiancée for the Mafia Boss

CHAPTER TWO: Gianna Evangelio

"Gunshot wounds are complex, violent, traumatic injuries commonly encountered in forensic practice. These injuries are caused by penetration of the body with projectiles ejected from a barrel due to the ignition of gunpowder. The study of these injuries is also called wound ballistics. In addition to the injury and the projectile, forensic pathologists are necessary to have a working knowledge of the flame, gases, smoke, unburnt powder, metal scrapings, and grease from the barrel that accompanies the projectile and could become embedded in the surrounding skin or the injury tract.

When a hits the skin surface, it causes indentation before perforation. Following perforation, elasticity causes the skin to recoil, and the resulting round, circular defect is of a slightly smaller diameter to that of the bullet. An accurate estimation of the calibre size cannot therefore be made from measuring the radius of the wound, unlike in the movies. The mechanical passage of the bullet through the skin causes abrasion, and the circular defect is lined by a rim of abrasion – the abrasion 'collar'. This tends to dry out like all abrasions, and may be easier to discern with the passage of time," the professor pointed the red light of his pointer on the PowerPoint presentation flashed on the screen. "There are many different types of bullets but the most common type is composed of a lead core with some type of casing. On striking, the projectile element may travel at speeds of up to 1,500 metres/second, dependent on the ammunition and type of gun. The most important factors in causing significant injury or death are their placement and projectile path. The head and torso are the most vulnerable areas, with incapacitation due to CNS disruption or massive organ destruction and haemorrhage. The extent of tissue and organ trauma will depend on terminal ballistics, which are influenced by the type of bullet, its velocity and mass as well as the physical characteristics of the penetrated tissue..."

The professor perked his head towards the source of the noise. It was the university's bell. He turned his head towards his class and spoke. "It's already time so I'll end our class today. Don't forget that we'll be having a long quiz tomorrow so read Chapter 27 to 40. That's all for today, good bye class."

"Good bye, professor."

The professor nodded and went out of the classroom.

"Ah~ quiz na naman bukas~ may demonstration pa tayo sa injection eh."

"Hindi ako excited sa magiging demo bukas. Mas excited ako sa fitting of uniform! Kyaaaah!!! Internship na natin excited na ako!!!"

"Excited ka na ba talaga o excited kang maghanap ng gwapong doctor na aasawahin?"

Ngumuso naman si Jillian, isa sa mga nursing student na nasa block. "Hindi ah! Excited na talaga ako mag-duty sa ospital tsaka, bonus na rin 'yung makakakita ako ng gwapong doctor na lalandiin."

Napailing na lamang si Gianna habang inaayos ang mga libro n'ya sa kanyang bag.

"Gaga ka. Kakasimula palang ng semester nag-iisip ka na agad ng internship," sita sa kanya ni Ailee, isa rin sa mga nursing student na nasa block.

"Eh bakit? Bawal? Dun din naman punta natin next semester eh~"

"Ikaw talagang babae ka."

"Una na ako, Ailee," agad namang lumingon si Ailee kay Gianna nung tinapik n'ya ito sa balikat. "Tutulungan ko pa si Mama sa eatery eh."

"O sige, sige. Sent my regards nalang kay Aling Marites ah?" bumungisngis naman si Ailee.

Natawa na lamang niyon si Gianna at tumango. "Oo na, una na ako—ack!"

"Hoy! Aiden!"

Sapo-sapo ang kanyang braso, napatingin si Gianna kay Aiden na kakasalo lang ng bolang tinapon nito sa kanya.