Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
I look around the room, shocked to see something akin to a glass cage with a long lane along the far wall. When he mentioned building one, I never expected it to look so professional. It's very similar to the gun ranges I've seen on police procedural shows I like to watch, if only a lot smaller.
He holds the door open for me, the length of his long arm enough so I can step inside and not brush his chest, but the inside of the lane is very small, and the second the door closes us inside, I begin to feel a little claustrophobic.
"I'm not going to touch you," he says as if he can read my mind.
I nod my head, clamping my hands together and wringing my fingers, both grateful he's been warned and feeling a little under the microscope that someone has spoken to him about my fears.
"I'm going to give you some basic instruction, and when you get the hang of it, I'll take a step outside and watch through the window. Okay?"
I nod my head.
"Have you ever shot a gun before?"
I shake my head, not trusting my voice at the moment.
"It's okay. They're not very complicated. I've been instructed to provide you with a small handgun, so that's what you're going to be practicing with. I'll explain everything in detail, but I want you to stop me if you're confused or if it's too overwhelming and need to take a break."
"Okay," I whisper, pulling in a deep breath and somehow feeling a sense of calm wash over me with the scent of gunpowder coating the walls in the room.
Zeus proceeds to pick up a handgun. The thing looks like a toy in his hands as he turns it over and explains all the parts of it.
I'm surprised by the weight of it when he hands it to me. I hold it in my palm, trying to get used to the idea that if I get into trouble, I might actually have to use it against a human being. It doesn't sit well with me, but neither does the idea of getting hurt by refusing to defend myself.
The lesson continues, and I'm shaking harder than ever when I fire my first shot, thankful he only put one bullet in the gun.
I drop it to the platform in front of me, staring down at the thing.
"You did well. Take a few breaths and let's try again."
I close my eyes and breathe, unconcerned about how crazy I might look to him.
"Where do I aim to injure rather than kill?" I ask, my mouth dry from the heavy breathing. "The arm or the leg? Something like that?"
I look over at Zeus when he doesn't immediately answer me to find him frowning.
"It's harder to hit a person than you think. It's best to aim for the largest part of their body which is their torso. You may have seen shows where people can shoot a gun out of someone's hands or they're able to hit a kneecap to stop someone, but that's rarely the case."
"Are you saying you can't shoot someone in the leg?"
He pulls in a deep breath before responding. "My skill level has taken many years of practice and training. It's not something you're going to be able to acquire today. I don't want someone to have the chance to get the upper hand over you while you're trying to shoot them in the arm or leg. If they do that, then they'll have your gun."
The idea of my own weapon being turned against me almost makes me not want to have one in the first place. It means I could be shot and killed, but then I recall who drove past my house and the things that man said to me at the club, and it makes me realize that there are much worse things than death that can be done to me.
"Torso," I say. "Got it."
The lesson continues and my confidence grows with every pull of the trigger. Zeus has to remind me more than once to keep my finger off the trigger until I'm ready to shoot, and it feels like we're down here for hours before he tells me that he thinks I'm ready.
I don't know what exactly I'm getting ready for, but even knowing how to shoot, the idea of having to use a gun still freaks me out.
***
"Maybe this isn't the best idea," I mutter as we turn onto my street.
I was adamant that I wanted to go home, but fear is alive inside of me and this isn't even the trip where I'll be left there.
Zeus said he wanted to check on the installation of the security system at my house, and since I hadn't left the cabin in two days, it sounded like a good idea. I was thinking the fresh mountain air would help me clear my head after hours of breathing in gunpowder.