"You can put it down, that's not a toy."
Zed said in casual air, like someone reminding their friend that they've picked up a rotten apple while grocery shopping.
However, Ed wasn't easily dissuaded. His eyes bore into Zed's as he raised the gun.
"Why should I! You've already got yours," he retorted.
Zed, unfazed, spared him a half glance. His movements were detached from any emotional investment as he lifted his own gun, switching off the safety.
"Because mine was loaded," he replied.
His eyes darted to the long silencer attached to his gun, then back to Ed. He nodded at him with serious intensity.
"Plus, I can shoot in the wilderness silently," he added.
Ed seemed to deflate slightly at Zed's words, his face clouding over with a touch of despair. Then, the man let out an exasperated chuckle and tossed the gun onto the couch. Slowly, he started collecting shotgun shells from a broken glass cabinet and placed them on the table.
