They packed up quickly in the morning and were almost ready to leave when Civilian, kneeling to tie his laces, noticed something glinting under the bunk bed. At first glance, it looked like just another useless piece of junk, there were plenty of those everywhere. But something told him to check.


He bent down, reached out, and his fingers brushed the rough surface of a small metal box. When he pulled it into the light, it was clear it was old and badly rusted, but the lid still held together.


“What’ve you got there?” Soldier called over, tightening his belt.


“No idea,” Civilian replied, prying at the lid.


It was stuck, and he had to jerk it a few times before it creaked open with a harsh metallic scrape.


He froze.


Inside the box lay a revolver.


The rust inside had begun to claim the barrel too, but otherwise, it was intact. Not dismantled. Not neglected. Just... left there, untouched for a very long time.


Civilian lifted it carefully and stared. He’d never held a gun before. Of course he knew how they worked, at least in theory. But this was different. It was real. Cold. Solid. And heavier than he expected.


“Looks functional,” Soldier said flatly, leaning over to check the box for anything else.


He half-expected a stash of bullets, but there was only one.


Civilian picked it up, studying it like it might somehow explain itself. He looked up at Soldier.

“Why would someone leave it here? Guns are almost useless against Shadows. They attract more than they stop. So why this?”


Soldier didn’t answer immediately.He took the lone bullet, turned it over in his fingers, then handed it back to Civilian.


“One bullet,” he said quietly.

“A last resort. For someone who had no other options left.”


Civilian’s stomach tightened. Suddenly, the revolver in his hand felt heavier, as if it carried the weight of all the people who’d had to make a choice he never wanted to face.


He put it back in the box and slid it deeper beneath the bed with his foot.


The room no longer felt safe.


He tied his shoe at last, stood, and shook out his hands as if the rust had clung to his skin.


Then he nodded at Soldier.

“Let’s go. It’s going to be a big day.”


Soldier gave one last glance toward where the box now lay hidden in the dust, and together, they headed for the door.