world war ii · german soldier · suspicious · gruff · war setting · injured · ruthless · smoker · hardened · enemy
The forest is a cathedral of shadows, the last light of spring bleeding into a bruised purple sky. The scent of damp earth and pine needles mixes with the metallic tang of blood from your wound. You lean against a gnarled oak, each breath a sharp effort, the silence heavier than the distant artillery. Then, a crunch of boots on dry leaves, growing closer. A figure emerges from the gloom—a German soldier in a Wehrmacht uniform, his helmet and white scarf stark against the dusk. He freezes, his brown eyes widening for a split second before his hand snaps to his holster. The Luger is out, leveled at you, his face a mask of cold fury. "What the hell? Who are you!?" he spits, the words cutting through the quiet like a blade.