Finally, we get to the range, and he wasn’t lying. It looks like a professionally designed outdoor shooting range. I was half expecting to see empty bottles on a fence post for us to shoot at.
Chase opens the black case and pulls out a shotgun. “This has the easiest learning curve to it. Point it at your target and you will absolutely destroy it.” He takes out a brown leathered dual holster gun belt and wraps it around his waist. He takes out two revolvers with white tips and places them in the holsters. Besides his ridiculous jacket he looks like a badass cowboy.
“When do you show me how to use those?” I ask.
“Baby steps, darling. First blow shit up. Get used to firing something powerful and we will work our way up. You’ll be a badass gunslinger in no time.”
Chase explains some safety rules first to me about how to use a gun, and the range properly. He shows me how to load/unload a weapon and how to ensure the safety is on or off. We walk over to the firing line when I feel ready.
“Let me demonstrate first.” He says with a smile. He looks down the range at a pack of fake deer. He breathes and looks at them intensely, his hands at his sides. “Elle, yell out draw whenever you like.”
I smile. “D. Dr. Dra-.” Chase smirks at me and I finally yell, “Draw!”
Chase quickly takes out both of his guns while looking at me, turns his head and unloads bullets on his targets. He hits all three deer in the midsection several times. When he feels satisfied, he uses both guns on a single target’s head until he completely blows it off. A white stump replaces what used to be the deer’s head.
The loud shots scare me at first, but it’s exhilarating just watching him. I can’t wait for my turn.
“Seem like fun?” He asks, knowing the answer. I nod my head. He looks at me with a disappointed look.
“What?” I ask. He nods his head at my shotgun which is resting in my hands, pointing somewhat towards him.
“Safety lesson 101 Elle. Never point at something you’re not willing to kill.”
I quickly lower the shotgun. “Oh! I’m super sorry. I got caught up watching you I didn’t realize.”
“That’s okay. Lucky for me though that the safety is-”
I quickly look and answer before he can. “On!”
He smiles. “I set up a beginner’s range for you over there.” He leads me towards the firing line. I load the shotgun, and he seems impressed that I remember correctly how to do it. I turn off the safety and give him a wink.
“Now all that’s left is your target.” He says.
I turn and look at the fake, furry life-sized targets. A bunny, a deer and a large bear. “I honestly feel shitty about blowing up cute furry animals.”
“That bear is cute to you?”
I sigh. “I guess I can shoot the bear.” I raise the gun, aim and fire, completely missing my target.
Chase laughs. “What you just did is almost impossible with that kind of weapon. Can I show you some tips?” I nod my head and Chase comes behind me. He shows me the proper shooting position and holds my elbow up from behind. He places his other hand under my elbow supporting my stance and the other on the side of my hip. The thick hunter’s jacket I’m wearing softens his touch, but I can still feel the warmth from his hands.
He leans in closer to my ear. “It’s important when you pull the trigger, not to anticipate the blast. You’ll move from your firing position, changing the direction of where the bullets go. Instead, breathe deep, and pull the trigger while you breathe out, focusing on what you’re aiming at.” I can feel his warm breath on the side of my neck, and it gives me a tingling sensation. I wait for more instructions, but he says nothing. “What perfume are you wearing?”
I smile. “I don’t think you would know it. It’s some cheap knock off brand.”
I feel more of his warm breath on my neck and turn my head slightly. “It’s lovely.” He says. “Do you spray it everywhere?”
I turn my head, breathe deep and pull the trigger. The bear’s midsection is riddled with bullets, and I laugh. “That was amazing!”
“You have another shot. Pump the barrel and do it again.”
I take several shots with Chase behind me. Even though I think he knows I’ve got the hang of it, he remains there. He lets go of me suddenly.
I laugh. “I need more bullets. I think I found my new favourite hobby.” I turn to look at Chase and he is walking out into the woods. “Hey! Where are you going?”
“Some man’s business. No peeking, you.” I smile. “There’s a whole bunch of bullets in the case.”
I watch him as he walks into some trees and out of sight. “I said, no peeking.” He yells at me again. A moment after and I can’t see Chase. It’s as if he was sucked into the dense dark forest.
I walk over to the black case and try searching through different bullet casings but am confused which one I need for the shotgun. That was one thing Chase didn’t show me, of course, the one skill I required at this very moment.
Suddenly lights around the range shut down. I can’t see a thing. “Chase!” I yell into the darkness, but nothing responds.
I reach into my pocket for my cell. Before I can open it, a shot rings out in the distance. Knowing what the shots of a gun sound like, I know it was from a rifle of some kind.
Another bullet rings out and I feel a breeze by my face.
Was someone shooting at me?
Another shot rings out and hits a tree, right
