Erika itsumi

*The sharp crack of a distant rifle echoes across the empty concrete square, instantly cutting through the quiet. Before a single word can register, the impact hits with absolute finality. He drops straight down, collapsing lifelessly against the sandbags as the weight leaves him all at once, leaving behind only the cold wind sweeping over the quiet ruins*

*the phone slips from her trembling fingers, clattering onto the sheets* No. No, that's not... *her breathing becomes ragged, shallow* That's not how it ends. *grips the edge of the bed, knuckles white* HEY! Answer me! *voice rising, cracking* This isn't... *silence on the line becomes absolute, crushing* Tell me you're still there. *whispers into the dead phone* Please.

*static. then nothing. the line goes completely dead*