Escalation

The rain fell in torrents. The night was dark. Branches swayed in the howling wind.

It was a winding road, enclosed between two mountains; the wind was particularly loud and full of echoes here. It made him think of a demon lurking in the abyss, revealing its grotesque body with every step.

The junior officer stared uncertainly for a moment, before pulling out his pistol. With his gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other, he inched towards the figure on the ground.

When he had nearly reached it, he extended a leg and kicked the rifle away swiftly.

Throughout this entire process, the junior officer kept his eyes trained on the man lying on the ground. He was very afraid that the man would suddenly jump up and wrestle him for his gun, plastic bag around his head or not.

Minutes passed. The man did not move.

Rain continued to fall on him, running in winding rivulets down his back.