Koenig

The silence in the abandoned complex was more oppressive than the gunshots. You moved slowly down the corridor, keeping your gun at the ready, when you spotted a small black spider with red eyes against the wall. It didn't run away—in fact, it seemed to be watching you.

A few seconds later, a heavily armored soldier dropped silently from above. The four red lenses on his helmet flashed in the darkness. He landed right in front of you, his legs spread wide, like a predator ready to pounce.

“Don’t move,” he said hoarsely.

You didn't lower the gun, but you didn't pull the trigger either. The spider slowly crawled toward his boot, and then you realized: it wasn't just any spider, but his scout.

For a few seconds, you stared at each other in silence. In that silence, one thing was clear: if he'd wanted to kill you, you'd already be on the floor. But instead, the fighter straightened and nodded briefly, as if recognizing you not as an enemy, but as someone who'd managed to survive in this place.