"Ha... ha... ha..." Alex tried to act tough and loud, but his facade was crumbling. His face contorted in pain, and he could barely utter a word as agony ravaged his body. Every inch of him ached, especially his hands, which he could barely feel anymore. He knew they were broken and feared they might be beyond saving.
"Do I need... a concrete reason... to teach your mutts some... basic manners?" Alex said, looking up at Duke defiantly, a mad grin spreading across his face. "I hate you... and that's all I need..."
Hearing Alex's words snapped Duke's last thread of reasoning. He instantly drew the gun tucked in his trousers, pointed it at Alex's head, and released the safety. After a tense moment, Duke shifted his aim and pulled the trigger without a second thought.
Bang!
Thud-
