Buckshot Roulette 〈INSTANT〉

The sound was a physical thing. It shattered the quiet like a fist through a window. A wet, percussive slap.

The Dealer picked up the shotgun. Reloaded. Three hot shells. He racked the slide and placed it in the center.

The sound was no different. But her exhale was a shudder. One down. Two safe.

Leo looked at the gun. Then at Darius’s body. Then at the Dealer. buckshot roulette

“Any questions?”

Leo sat back down. He took the gun. This time, he didn’t close his eyes. He just stared into the abyss.

Leo stood there for a long moment, breathing in the smoke and silence. Then he dropped the gun, stepped over the bodies, and walked out into the rain. The sound was a physical thing

Marta took it. Two hot shells. Eleven left. She put it to her temple again.

“Round three,” he said. “You’re the only player left. You pull until you get a hot one or run out of cold. House rules.”

The Dealer’s grin returned. “Against the rules.” The Dealer picked up the shotgun

“Put it under your chin,” the Dealer said. “Barrel straight up. No angling. I’ll know.”

She passed it to Darius.