Page 43 of What Started In Deception
“My ego demands that I tell you I can do the same thing with a moving target.”
She laughed. “Well, now I’m extra impressed.”
He chuckled. “Do you want to try?”
She shrugged. “Sort of, but mostly, I’m nervous.”
He shook his head. “You don’t need to be nervous. We’re going to keep this extra safe.”
“Okay,” she said, trusting him completely.
“Let’s get you set up,” he said, bringing the obliterated target back, then put up a new one, sending the arm back out into the range, just not as far. “Ready?”
She nodded.
“Let’s get you in a good stance,” he said, adjusting her body, using his foot to nudge her legs wider apart, then push her right foot forward. “Bend your knees a little.”
She did. “Like this?”
He nodded. “Nothing crazy. Just keep them soft.”
She nodded this time.
He used his hands to square her shoulders and hips, then handed her the gun.
She stared at her fingers wrapped around the grip. “It’s heavier than I expected.”
He nodded. “Keep your finger off the trigger. It belongs right here along the side until you’re ready to fire. The chamber’s empty, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”
“Okay.”
“And, generally, if you’re not pointing at the target, your weapon should be on the table with the barrel pointed that way.”
She nodded again, feeling her heart race. Everything about this situation had the potential to be deadly.
“Go ahead and put the magazine in.”
She did as he had done earlier.
“Really good. Now rack the slide, so you chamber a round.”
She struggled to pull the slide back but eventually got it.
“Perfect. Let’s fix your arms. Bend your elbows a little. They’re going to absorb the recoil.”
She met his gaze, not so sure about any of this.
“You’ve got this. You’re doing great.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He stepped slightly off to the side. “Go ahead and look at the target. Line up your shot with the front and rear sights.”
She did, licking her lips.
“Now, put your finger on the trigger and pull it back slowly.”
She licked her lips again and pulled the trigger, feeling the echo of the blast in her body.
