Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 10

Both seemed to hit in random spots. Paul then reeled in the target with a pulley system, the aging mannequin riddled with holes. "Alright, the holes with the white powder are the ones you hit," Paul explained, showing a shot that his the shoulder, three chest shots and a thigh shot. "I thought you were bad with guns," he winked.

"I am. How long did it take me to line those up?" Heidi asked rhetorically, sticking her tongue out at Paul childishly.

Paul motioned at the pair in the stall next to them. "They haven't fired a single shot. It takes time to get the perfect shot," Paul grinned,"You did really well. Let's try something a bit harder." He chuckled, walking over to the rack of guns and grabbing a larger gun.

Heidi sighed. She didn't like guns anyway, and she didn't do well with shooting them under pressure. She didn't know why Paul was so insistent on teaching her.

"I know. Especially not with more control over it now," Luke reassured himself with deep breaths.

Kira smiled comfortingly, running her hand through Luke's hair to try to help calm him down. "You're in control. Remember the little dragon you let me hold? You wouldn't have been able to do that if you weren't. Even if you lose control again, I will do everything I can to fix your Flow," she soothed.

"T-thanks," Luke replied, hugging her to calm himself down. The dragon had been good, right? It had to be a sign he was improving.

Kira rubbed Luke's back, being sure to keep her breathing calm. If she was calm, maybe it'd rub off on Luke. "You're not ever going to hurt anyone. I know that."

"Hopefully never again," Luke replied, trying not to think of the lives he'd taken.

Paul handed her the new gun, taking the smaller and obviously lighter one. "This one is gonna have more recoil, so watch out," he said, and handed her a magazine, "I suggest laying down and using the sand bags to shoot. They'll make your aim better."

"I know you won't, Luke. You don't need to hope for something if there's no chance it won't happen," Kira said sternly, pulling away slightly to look Luke in the eyes.

---

"How do I use the sandbags?" Heidi asked, frowning.

"You lay in front of them and position the gun barrel on them," Paul explained, "It's so the gun isn't swaying around in your arms."

Heidi frowned, struggling around with the sand bags, muttering to herself about how much she disliked guns.

"Oh!" Paul exclaimed, grabbing a pair of really worn earmuffs and setting them next to Heidi, "Take these. They'll help keep you from going deaf."

Heidi sighed, putting the ear muffs around her neck as she continued to line up the shot. "I'm never doing this again."

"It's not that bad," Paul rolled his eyes, "When you run out in that magazine I'll let you use a light machine gun."

"I don't want to use a bloody machine gun. I don't want to touch a damn gun," Heidi grumbled, pulling the earmuffs over her ears and firing.

Paul watched her, slightly amused.

Heidi jumped, the recoil seemingly taking her by surprise. She hesitantly pulled the earmuffs off her ears, turning to face Paul and glaring at him. "There."

"Was that so bad?"Paul asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't like guns, I don't like gunshots, I don't like anything to have to do with guns," Heidi grunted.

Paul stared at her. "Heidi, listen to me," Paul said, "do you want to protect your friends?"

"Yes. I just don't want to accidentally shoot them either."

"Shit happens," Paul told her, "But the point is, what happens if there's a Flow like Percival's? You'd be defenseless. That's what this is for, to teach you how to use a weapon that can give you the advantage."

"I'd still have my spear. Percy and I have fought before," Heidi scowled. "I don't like guns."