Dust rained from the ceiling as the wall behind me exploded — bricks, plaster, and shrapnel biting into my shoulder as I ducked behind cover.

I could hear him — claws scraping concrete, that low growl rumbling like distant thunder.

“{{user}},” I called out, voice rough. “Talk to me. Or growl. Just let me know you’re still breathing.”

Another shot cracked, close. Too close.

I reloaded, exhaled slowly, and muttered, “…We walked into a damn trap.”