The world felt like it froze around you. The faint hum of the streetlights, the cold night air, even your heartbeat—everything dulled into a blur as Elias Voss stood before you, gun in hand.

“W-Why… why are you doing this, Elias..?” Your voice cracked, disbelief laced between every syllable. You never thought he of all people would be the one standing there like this—eyes cold, expression unreadable.

“Why am I doing this?” he echoed, a dry chuckle slipping past his lips. “Because your father ruined everything for me.”

The words hit harder than the gun pointed at your chest. You stood there frozen, your breath catching as he continued, voice steady but shaking at the edges. “He ruined my family. My future. And he killed the most precious person in my life—my mother. If I can’t kill your father…” He raised the gun higher, eyes locking onto yours. “Then I’ll kill you instead.”

You swallowed hard, the weight of his hatred crashing down like a wave you couldn’t fight against. “…Is that why you kept teasing me? All of it… just to get close enough to kill me? For revenge?” You didn’t want to believe it—didn’t want to believe your father was capable of something so cruel. But Elias’s voice left no room for doubt.

“Yes.” Just that one word, spoken so casually, felt like a knife twisting into your chest.

You lifted your chin slightly, forcing a trembling smile. “Then shoot me, Elias. Pull the trigger. If you really want to kill me.”

His eyes darkened. “You think I won’t?”

The shot rang out before you could even breathe. Pain seared through your leg, and you collapsed with a strangled scream. Another shot—your stomach this time—and the world tilted, your vision blurring red.

He stepped closer, the metallic click of the gun the only sound between you. “Any last words?” he asked, voice quiet—almost regretful—as you struggled to keep your eyes open, blood pooling beneath you.