The Last Shot

Eight people in front of me. Four with grenades, three armed, and Arthur, who remained slightly apart next to a girl. He was about 15 meters away from the group, far too confident. The tension in the air was palpable, but my mind remained cool, calculating every move.

As I positioned myself in front of the door, I noticed Arthur's eyes lighting up with a triumphant smile. Maybe he thought I had given up, that this would be his moment of victory. But he was very wrong. I had no intention of kneeling before him.

Quickly, I raised my gun, but I didn't aim directly at the men. Instead, I fixed my gaze on the grenades one of them was holding. I knew that a single bullet in the right spot would be enough to unleash chaos. The sound of the shot was immediate, and before they could even react, I heard the first explosion.

BOOM!

The deafening sound of the blast reverberated through the air, a chain of inevitable destruction. The grenades detonated one after another, and the impact was devastating.

BOOM!

The screams of panic and agony from the men echoed through the dust and darkness. I knew that those who had been close to the grenades wouldn't stand a chance of surviving. Bodies were torn apart in an instant, tossed like rag dolls amidst the explosion. The heat and shockwave shook everything around me.

But Arthur... he and that girl next to him were far enough away that, although the explosion hit them, they would probably survive.

I moved quickly, taking refuge behind the thick walls of my mansion's entrance. These walls had been designed to withstand attacks, built to protect me even from the worst assaults. The concrete trembled under the impact of the explosions, but held firm. I heard the roar of the fire and the collapse of debris, as the courtyard filled with dust and smoke. The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and death.

I peeked out cautiously. The dust rose in large clouds obscuring my vision, but I knew I couldn't stay in my refuge for long. There was still one last task to complete. Arthur and that girl—the last ones left alive—were still somewhere out there.

Taking advantage of the confusion and smoke, I decided to move. My feet glided swiftly and precisely, sliding between the charred remains of what was left of the courtyard. My breathing was slow and measured, concentrated, as I searched for my target. The chaos I had unleashed gave me an advantage. I knew Arthur wouldn't be prepared for what was coming.

Arthur stood before me, his body trembling with rage and pain, every muscle tense like a string about to snap. Though he had witnessed the devastation I had caused, his pride kept him standing, ready to face me despite his impending fall. His eyes, wide with fury, were fixed on me, and with a shaking hand, he raised his gun, aiming directly at my chest.

"I'm going to kill you, Razer!" he shouted, the desperation in his voice echoing like a refrain through the ruin around us. Each word was a failed attempt to cling to hope.

I remained calm, analyzing the situation. I knew his state was critical; adrenaline could cloud his judgment, but it also made him dangerous. With a precise movement, I aimed at his right shoulder and shot.

Bang!

The dry sound of the shot sliced through the air like a knife, and a blood-curdling scream erupted from his lips as the bullet pierced his flesh. His weapon fell to the ground, out of reach, a symbol of his defeat. He staggered back, clutching his bleeding shoulder, horror and surprise painting his face. But this wasn't over; the game was far from concluded.

Beside him, the girl who had accompanied him until now, paralyzed by fear, reacted instantly. Her eyes reflected the desperation of a cornered animal as she raised her own gun, trembling hands aimed at me. Before she could pull the trigger, my gaze was already fixed on her. Without a shred of compassion, I shot.

Bang!

The bullet struck her in the forehead, and her body fell to the ground like a broken doll, life extinguished in an instant. The scene, drenched in her blood, became a dark reminder of my power. Wasting no time, I turned my attention back to Arthur.

He, gasping and trembling, tried to retreat, but his legs couldn't carry him far. The pain held him still, his eyes filled with rage and despair. I didn't approach immediately; I walked slowly, savoring each second, relishing the coldness that contrasted with the chaos I had left behind.

"This is for all the times you tried to bother me, Arthur," I said, my tone icy as I aimed at his other shoulder.

Bang!

The scream that escaped his lips was a lament that reverberated in the gloom. The bullet embedded itself in his left shoulder, and he fell to his knees, unable to hold himself up. Now he was defenseless, but it wouldn't be so easy. I didn't plan to give him a quick death.

I approached slowly, watching how his breathing became erratic, each inhalation a monumental effort. Drops of sweat mingled with the blood pouring from his wounds, forming a dark puddle on the ground. I looked into his eyes; the arrogance and confidence he had shown earlier faded away, leaving only fear.

"I want you to feel every second of this," I whispered, almost as a mantra, enjoying his suffering.

I tightened my grip on the trigger once more, this time aiming for his right leg.

Bang!

Arthur screamed, the sound of his agony filling the air. But I didn't let him rest. The gun was still loaded, and I made sure he knew it. Without haste, I shot his left leg.

Bang!

The crunch of his bones breaking under the impact resonated like a macabre symphony. He collapsed completely, unable to move. The scene was a testament to his inability to escape his fate. His breathing was ragged, each inhalation a reminder of the pain I had inflicted.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" I whispered as I knelt beside him, relishing the terror in his eyes. "But I promised you this wouldn't be easy."

I raised the gun once more, aiming for his abdomen, where the pain would be unbearable, but not immediately fatal.

Bang!

The last shot was a final blow. Arthur could barely breathe now; his groans were weak, each sound a mix of agony and silent pleading. He knew his end was near, but I wouldn't let him go so easily.

I slowly stood up, observing Arthur's defeated body, ensuring the scene remained etched in my mind. Life was fading from his face, every scratch and bullet wound a reminder of his failure. Then, I turned and began walking toward the exit, leaving Arthur on the ground, alone with his suffering and the certainty that he had lost everything.

As I walked away, the echo of his whimpers resonated in my ears, a melody of vengeance I would never forget.