Mason was running now, rocks crunching underfoot.
Just a moment ago he had heard a gunshot a few blocks away. Frustratingly, all the ruined houses looked the same. His pack was weighed him down, along with the gun in his hands.
He approached the source of the gunshot in mere seconds, but kept his distance from the ruined house.
He kept his gun lifted and noticed rapid movement out of the corner of his eye. Another gunshot echoed, this one being his. The mutant dropped. Mason checked his surroundings, barely blinking. Every inky shadow looked like pairs of talons reaching out to snatch him. He shined his light in each direction surrounding the ruined house, until he heard a muffled cough. Making no noise, he rounded the corner of the doorway. He clicked his flashlight on, revealing the bodies before him.
He counted seven. Some were sitting against walls or lying face down, their blood painted around their heads and bodies like a gruesome piece of art. Mason carefully inspected each body, until he came across a woman.
A cracked gas mask, patched with repair tape, and a bleeding shoulder. She lay across the torso of another dead man, her eyes closed through her visor.
YOU ARE READING
Sober Is a Mask
ActionA short story about a rugged stalker sent to meet a caravan and ensure its safety. Authors note: Both these characters are original, and the book Metro 2033 inspired this story.
