A story by Kris Straub

Another bullet struck him, and another, another; now waves of terror tore through him as he clutched his flesh in search of new wounds gushing blood. None.

“Stop,” he shrieked. “I’ve had enough, get me out of here! It works! Please!”

The man behind the rifle turned to his investors. “You see. Another few rounds and any combatant becomes a sobbing mess. So it’s fully non-lethal — provided the fear ammunition doesn’t give them a heart attack.” The group laughed.

“You’ve found fear to be the most effective round, then?” one asked.

“Almost,” said the man, loading a fresh magazine labeled ENNUI.