Chapter 8: Day 4
Even though I got a hard time sleeping, I'm kinda getting used to it by now, we change guards by 12, and I wake her up when the sun goes up. It's currently 5:11 A.M, and those monsters outside roaming are now gone, I wonder how other survivors survive these.
In a quiet rural town nestled near the mountains, a small group emerged from their basement sanctuary. Among them was Zack, holding a baseball bat, who stepped outside their house to gaze upon the serene landscape.
"WOOOOO!! ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!!" he shouted exuberantly, his voice carrying in the stillness.
"Keep it down, Zack! Seriously!" his sister scolded, her eyes darting nervously.
"C'mon, there's nothing wrong with celebrating the fact that we're still alive, right?" Zack retorted, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"But Mom didn't!" his sister's voice cracked, the weight of their mother's absence palpable in her words. The sudden silence hung heavy in the air.
Their father, sensing the tension, stepped closer to them. "Sharline, I know it's hard for you to accept your mother's death. If you're angry, blame me," he said, his voice filled with sorrow and regret.
"Again with this 'blame you, blame you'! You did your best, Dad! And I won't blame you for that! So please, don't blame yourself. Blame this goddamn apocalypse for it! And now, this brother of mine is calling it a paradise!" Sharline's frustration spilled out as she stormed away, her footsteps echoing in the distance.
Zack's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression. "She's too young to understand," their father remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and understanding. "I know that I've been shouldering the blame to protect her. It's a burden I inherited from you," he confessed.
"Don't say it like that. You've been the best father we could ever have," Zack reassured him. "Of course, we won't blame you for what happened to Mom. She made the choice to sacrifice herself for us to escape. She strained herself during our escape. You did everything you could, Dad."
Their father nodded, appreciating his son's support. "Let's eat our breakfast now. We have a lot of things to do," he said, regaining his composure and shifting his focus to the tasks at hand.
Let's go back to the main characters, They finished their breakfast quicker than expected, and Amy turned to me with a question.
"Mico, do you know how to use a gun?" she asked.
I hesitated for a moment before responding, "No."
Amy pondered for a moment, her eyes thoughtful. "Well, it's still early, so why not let me teach you? It's important to know how to use a gun, even if we might waste a few bullets in the process."
I raised an eyebrow, concerned about the potential waste. "But won't we just be wasting the bullets?"
Amy shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. "The gun is useless if you don't know how to use it effectively. So, shall we give it a try?"
I sighed, realizing she had a point. "Okay, let's do it."
We ventured into the forest, finding a suitable spot for my impromptu lesson. Amy pointed at a nearby tree, instructing me to aim at it. I carefully loaded a round into the chamber, following her guidance to pull back the slide and release it.
Taking a deep breath, I aimed at the tree and pulled the trigger, but to my dismay, nothing happened.
Amy smirked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "See? I told you having a gun is useless if you don't know how to use it."
I frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. It was clear that I had a lot to learn.
Amy noticed the disappointment in my expression and softened her tone. "Hey, don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere. Let me show you the proper way to handle the gun."
She took the pistol from my hands and inspected it, ensuring it was safe. With expertise and patience, she demonstrated the correct grip, stance, and how to align the sights.
"You didn't fire the pistol because of this,"
She pointed something from the gun, "What's that I asked,
"The trigger safety, it is the first safety in the firing sequence. It's incorporated into the trigger in the form of a lever and, when it is engaged, blocks the trigger from moving rearward. To fire the pistol, the trigger safety and the trigger itself must be deliberately depressed at the same time. If the trigger safety is not depressed, the trigger will not move rearwards and allow the pistol to fire."
"The trigger safety is designed to prevent the pistol from firing if it's dropped or if the trigger is subjected to any pressure that isn't a direct firing pull." She continued
"Remember, Mico, it's all about control and precision," Amy said, her voice steady and reassuring. "Take a deep breath, relax your muscles, and gently squeeze the trigger. Let the gun do its job."
I observed her every move, absorbing the knowledge she imparted. After a few more rounds of practice shots, she handed the gun back to me.
"Now it's your turn," she said, offering a supportive smile.
I took a deep breath, steadied my trembling hands, and positioned myself as Amy had shown me. Focusing on the target, I squeezed the trigger, and this time, a shot rang out. A small smile formed on my lips as I realized I had hit the tree.
Amy clapped her hands, her eyes filled with pride. "Great job, Mico! You're a quick learner."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence within me. Perhaps I could become proficient with the gun after all.
We continued practicing throughout the day, honing my skills and familiarizing myself with the weapon. Amy patiently answered all my questions and provided valuable feedback.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest, we decided to call it a day.
"Shit! I didn't notice the time!" I shouted."I'm sorry, Amy,"
"It's fine, you've made remarkable progress, Mico," Amy commended. "But remember, using a gun should always be a last resort. We'll prioritize avoiding danger and finding safer solutions whenever possible."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of her words. Guns were tools of defense, not to be taken lightly.
With newfound knowledge and confidence, we returned to our temporary shelter, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I couldn't help but feel grateful for Amy's guidance, knowing that together, we had a better chance of surviving in this unpredictable world.