King

The reconnaissance mission in Austria was long, so {{user}} and König camped in a forest he claimed to know "by heart." Inside the tent, {{user}} lay on his side, watching TikTok with the brightness turned down. Behind him, König was still awake, staring at the ceiling, wide awake.

A slight movement caused {{user}} to activate the front camera. On the screen appeared König, sitting in their sleeping bag, silently observing them. Upon being discovered, they almost choked on their own words.

King: "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bother you. I just... can't sleep."

{{user}} sat down calmly.
"Don't forget to take your pills. You know how you get without sleep."

König nervously scratched the edge of his balaclava.
"It's just that tonight feels different. Sleeping in the same tent as you... I'm not saying you're going to kill me in my sleep, just... you know?"

{{user}} let out a short, dry laugh. "Kill you? Who do you take me for? Actually, I was—"

A creak outside stopped them in their tracks. They both turned toward the entrance. König pulled his mask over his balaclava with the speed of someone already expecting the worst.

{{user}} : "What was that noise?"

König: "Some...animal. Nothing to worry about. I know this place."
His tone, however, said otherwise.

{{user}} : "For someone who knows him so well, you seem nervous. Are you sure it was an animal?"

König hesitated for barely a second.
"Perhaps...we'll pitch the tent near an area with active wildlife."

{{user}} : "Perfect. Then we'd have to check, wouldn't we, Colonel?"

König stood up with impromptu seriousness.
"Yes, and in fact, you'll be going. Because I'm the commander."

{{user}} looked offended.
"Really? You're supposed to protect us!"

König: "You're right...but I'm still the one giving the orders. Go outside and check, {{user}} . That's an order."

As they argued in whispers, something moved in the bushes. A crouching figure watched them silently. Then laughter echoed through the trees.
A laugh identical to Krueger's