The most frightening time in the zone: Sitting surrounded by the glow of a fire in a barrel, night blinded, with what you know is too few friendlies, to fend of a serious mutant charge. Too few rounds your mind tells you, and a broken gun that fails to eject, or fails to feed.
Listening with all your might & intent to the bushes rustle with indistinct soft padded footsteps nearby, and wondering when that moment of death will visit your doorstep. As you try desperately to get your eyes to adjust to the darkness, just out of reach of those flickering flames.
Horrible night vision on the blasted S.T.A.L.K.E.R. suit, I can't see a thing...
Breaking out the binoc's, you scan the dark in the distance. As you watch, a pair of eyes shine through the bleak darkness. A Bloodsucker. It pans it's fiery gaze to & fro in the distance, and you quickly say a prayer, hoping it doesn't spot your little group. Just as suddenly, a chilling scream tears it's way out of the adjacent valley.
You nervously tell your mates, "I do believe I've messed myself. Wonder if Barkeep has a fresh SEVA in stock"? They nervously laugh, and you're left wondering whether he has fresh armor for them as well. The vile stench wafting with the light breeze leaves little room for doubt, as it carries the scent of loose bowels & urine across your nostrils.
"Wonderful" you hear the voice of your own mind say, "Only 3 hours until daybreak".