Between Life and Death

Or at least, that's what I thought.

Suddenly, I felt a devastating impact in my back. A searing pain rapidly spread as a bullet tore through my flesh, stealing my breath away in a muffled scream. The blow pushed me forward, and I staggered for a moment before regaining my balance. My legs, though shaky, responded to the survival instinct. I wasn't alone on the third floor. There were more of them, and I hadn't realized it.

"Damn it!" I grunted through clenched teeth as adrenaline surged through my body.

I ran towards the nearest column, panting, feeling each heartbeat like an explosion in my wound. The pain was intense, but I had to ignore it if I wanted to survive. The sound of more gunfire echoed behind me, bullets slamming against the walls and floor. Sparks flew around me as the lead embedded itself in the stone.

I took cover behind the column, breathing heavily. My hands quickly checked the Sig-Sauers in my grip. There were few bullets left in the magazines; it wouldn't be enough for what was coming. My breathing became more controlled, the pain still sharp in my back but manageable. I knew I couldn't stay on the defensive for long.

"Time to change the game."

With a swift motion, I holstered the pistols and pulled out my shotgun. It felt heavy, powerful, yet familiar in my hands. This weapon wasn't for precision; it was for close quarters and chaos. I held it firmly, the barrel aimed toward the darkness of the hallway where the two shooters were hiding. I knew they were there, waiting for their moment to strike again.

"Come on! He's not going to hide forever!" one of them shouted, his voice reverberating in the hallway.

I heard the click of a rifle bolt being adjusted. I had no time left. My mind raced, assessing the situation. If I stayed behind the column too long, they would surround me. I had to strike before they did. I could feel their eyes fixed on my position, their weapons ready to fire the moment I moved.

I took a deep breath.

In one leap, I burst out of cover.

My movements were quick, time seeming to slow as I turned toward the two shooters. The first, a tall, burly man with a shotgun, was right in front of me. I could see the exact moment his eyes widened in surprise as he saw me emerge from my hiding spot. He didn't have time to react.

I pulled the trigger of my shotgun.

The shot resonated like thunder in the narrow hallway. The impact was devastating. His chest practically exploded in a cloud of blood and flesh, and his body was violently thrown against the wall. His hands released the weapon in a final spasm before falling to the ground, lifeless.

The other one, a little further away, tried to lift his rifle, but I was already on him. I jumped to the side, dodging his shots that whizzed close to my head. I could hear the whistling of air as the bullets passed dangerously near. I didn't give him time for a second attempt. I fired again, this time at his legs.

The impact shattered his knees, making him fall to the ground with a heart-wrenching scream. His rifle slipped from his hands as he writhed in pain, but I didn't stop. I rushed over, and without thinking, I pulled the trigger one last time. The shotgun barrel was mere centimeters from his face when I fired.

The sound was deafening. His head disintegrated into a mix of bones, flesh, and blood that splattered everywhere. The body fell like a dead weight, lifeless.

The hallway fell silent again, broken only by the distant echo of my own gasps. My back continued to burn, but adrenaline kept the pain at bay. I knew there were still more of them in the mansion, but for now, the two who ambushed me were out of commission.

I took a moment to reload my shotgun, my hands trembling but swift, as my mind processed what had just happened. The third floor was far from safe, but at least I had taken down two more of them.

I leaned back against the column, taking a deep breath as I felt the pain start to creep back into my body. But I couldn't stop, not now. I had to move on, finish what I had started.

The hunt was not over yet.

But damn, the pain was too much. That damn bullet had pierced my suit. I could feel how the projectile had gone through me as if the material were nothing more than paper. The rifle the kid had, an HK G3, had a great piercing power, and my suit, as tough as it was, wasn't designed to withstand that kind of firepower. Shit.

I slipped into a dark corner, breathing heavily, pressing my back against the wall. My hand instinctively went to the left side of my back, where the bullet had impacted. The wound burned, but at least it hadn't hit anything vital. I was lucky; the suit had cushioned some of the blow, preventing the bullet from penetrating too deeply, which explained the minimal bleeding. Still, the pain clouded my senses.

"I need this night to end quickly," I muttered through clenched teeth. "I need someone to get this damn bullet out of me."

I took a quick glance around. I was in a small room on the third floor, a place they apparently used for storing equipment. Aside from weapons and suits, there were also medical supplies: painkillers, energy drinks, and, fortunately, a syringe of morphine. I wasn't thrilled about the idea of using it, but there it was, just in case it became necessary.

I grabbed the Celox, a coagulant powder that helps stop bleeding quickly. It could be used in powder or gas form, and in this case, I opted for the gas, given that I had a small vial with me. I uncapped it with trembling hands and, without wasting time, applied it directly to the wound.

"Shit!" I let out a choked grunt as the cold gas made contact with the injured flesh. The sensation was intense, as if the cold was spreading through my body, but almost immediately, I felt the bleeding slow. The pain, however, remained sharp, a constant reminder of my situation every second.

Although I had two syringes of morphine with me, I decided against using them. The pain was strong, but not unbearable. I knew that morphine should be a last resort, reserved only for extreme situations. Besides, the side effects were far from pleasant. I needed to keep my head clear, and morphine would only slow me down. I couldn't afford that luxury, not now.

I stayed in that position for a few minutes, panting as the pain began to ease slightly. With my hand, I continued to apply pressure on the wound, hoping the bleeding would stop completely. I felt how the Celox did its job, forming a protective layer that sealed the wound. The heat of adrenaline still coursed through my body, helping to mitigate the pain, but I knew I couldn't rely on that for much longer.

I took a deep breath, focusing. My mission wasn't over, and I couldn't afford to fall here. Not while they were still up there, waiting. I had lost the element of surprise, but I still had the advantage of knowing who the hunter was in this situation.

With one last look at the wound, I slowly got back up. The pain was still there, sharp and constant, but I could bear it. I pulled out one of my pistols, checking the ammo as I refocused on my objective.

"This night ends with me standing," I murmured to myself, my eyes fixed on the door. "With or without a bullet in my back."