Story 681: The Devil’s Smile

The barrel of Rook’s rifle was steady, his finger resting against the trigger. The air between him and Kruger felt charged, thick with a tension neither of them had felt in years.

Eva gasped for breath, rubbing her bruised throat as Kruger slowly released her. His icy stare never left Rook.

Then, Kruger smiled.

"You're really gonna pull that trigger, Sergeant?" he asked, his voice calm, amused. "After everything?"

Rook didn’t answer.

Kruger took a slow step forward, the bullet wound in his shoulder already closing. "You’ve fought by my side for years, Rook. You know exactly what happens to people who betray me."

"I know," Rook said flatly.

Then, he fired.

The shot rang out, echoing through the ruined bunker. The bullet pierced Kruger’s chest, just above his heart.

Kruger staggered but didn’t fall. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, glancing down at the fresh wound as it, too, began to heal.

"See?" Kruger murmured. "You should've aimed for the head."