Page 81 of Shadow of Hope
Micha shared the details as Dev had laid them out. “It’ll take all three of us.”
“I can help too if needed,” Ava offered.
“You’re safer here in the cabin.”
Ava sat forward. “But I’ll be alone.”
Micha bent to raise his pant leg and draw his backup gun. “That’s why I’ll leave this with you.”
Her eyes flashed wide open. “But I don’t know the first thing about shooting a gun.”
“I’ll give you a quick course right now.” He sat down beside her.
“But I don’t know. I never…I mean…I…”
“Take a deep breath.” He took her hand. “I don’t think you’ll need to use this. In fact, I highly doubt it. We’ll only be gone for about an hour and no one knows where we are.”
“He’s right,” Colin said. “It’s a very low likelihood that you will have to use the weapon.”
Micha appreciated his buddy’s support but kept focus on Ava. “Just take the gun. The safety’s on, and it can’t hurt you. Hold it in your hand. If you can’t do it, then you can’t. But if you can, it will be an extra level of protection for you.”
He held it out and let her be the one to take it from him. She did, turning it in her hands and giving it the evil eye. “I never imagined I would hold a gun.”
“You probably never imagined being in this situation either, but you are, and this could save your life,” he said bluntly.
Her gaze flashed up to his. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes. Even though it’s not likely, as I said, if needed there would be no better substitute.”
She gave a sharp nod, her eyes filling with resolve. “Okay, then. Teach me and I’ll use it if I have to.”
“Then here we go. How to fire a handgun in ten minutes or less.” He chuckled to lighten the mood, but she didn’t even crack a smile. He leaned closer and shared the parts of the weapon, then taught her how to hold it. “Never point it toward another person unless you plan to fire. And absolutely don’t point it at your body.”
She cupped the gun, and he adjusted her fingers. Then she aimed the gun toward the fireplace, letting her index finger drop.
“Keep your trigger finger along the side of the weapon at all times unless you mean to pull the trigger.” He lifted her index finger to rest it outstretched against the weapon’s barrel “That will prevent accidental misfires.”
She adjusted her finger a fraction. “That’s it? I’m holding it right?”
“Yes. But for better accuracy I want you to use a two-handed hold. It will ensure the maximum stability and help you handle the weapon’s recoil.”
He aided her in placing her other hand. “The only time I would discourage the two-hand hold is if you were needing a free hand. Like to open a door. Or even to try to fend off the attacker.”
She looked at the door and lifted her shoulders. “Let’s hope if someone walks through the door that I will stop him right there.”
Please make that so.
“So that brings up aiming. First you want to align the front and back sights.” He pointed at both sights on the weapon. “Point it toward your subject and focus on the front one. The sight will be in focus and the target will be blurry. Do it now. Aim at that lamp near the wall.”
She swiveled to point the gun at the lamp. “Got it.”
“If this were a person instead of a lamp, you would aim center mass on the body. That will give you the widest target. You’ll stop the assailant even if your shot is off by a little. And I want you to think in terms of two shots. Don’t just take one. Follow up the first one with a second one right away.”
“Okay.” She nibbled on her lip, then shook her head hard. “I can’t believe this. Not at all. We’re calmly sitting here talking about me shooting someone like we might be talking about what’s for dinner.” Her tone rose with each word.
He couldn’t let her lose it now. He rested a hand on her forearm. “Remember. It’s to save your life. Otherwise you won’t even be shooting.” He tipped her chin to make her look at him. “It’ll be okay, honey. You can do this. I know you can.”
She took a breath. Let it out slowly. “Yes. Yes. I can. You’re right. I can.”
