Salvation by Aeon Igni Read Free Book Online Page B

bent over and wrapped his arms around me on both sides to place my hands properly on the gun.
    I missed the first few times due to nerves and the fact that I could feel the captain's gaze burning through me. But as I got used to the noise around us and the feel of the gun, I started hitting the closer targets every time.
    I liked the feeling of the gun. Its smooth wooden handle felt as though it had been made for my hand. I went through two rounds of six bullets, learning how to reload before the second round.
    The captain and Jeremiah had been practicing some shooting of their own, but they came over when I ran out of bullets. The captain traded my handgun for Jeremiah's.
    "But, sir, isn't this one too big for me?" I asked, liking the feel of the smaller gun.
    Jeremiah guffawed and the captain replied patiently. "Maybe at first, but you need to learn how to use it. That little gun isn't going do anything to big guys like us except make us angry. A really big guy will keep running toward you even if you empty all your barrels at him."
    My eyes widened and he patted the large gun. "That's why we have these bigger guns and the knives. When we get done today, you'll know how to draw as well as some basic knife defense if you are in a place where you can't shoot."
    He began teaching me how to draw the large gun from the holster. It felt awkward and clumsy, and holding it out in front of me was beginning to be a task as my arms were starting to feel tired.
    "There's no real secret to it. You just have to keep doing it until it becomes second nature." The captain drew his own gun and fired before I could blink.
    I spent the next few rounds drawing and shooting repeatedly, learning to use the bigger gun. I briefly looked over at the captain, who was throwing a couple of knives into a scarecrow while Jeremiah looked on. It was almost hypnotizing, watching his powerful arm swing down and release the knives. I had to force myself to look away so I wouldn't be caught staring.
    When I ran out of bullets, I walked over to them.
    "Good job, Simmons." The captain clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Let Jeremiah here teach you how to use a knife."
    He strode off and Jeremiah walked over to the scarecrow, pulling out several knives. He set most of them down on a boulder and motioned me over.
    "Learning how to use a knife is serious business. They are dangerous, even more dangerous than guns because they can be used more quickly and without warning." His hands had been behind his back but suddenly he had me pressed against the boulder, a knife to my forehead between my eyes. I was so shocked at the unexpected attack that I just looked at him, blinking.
    He relaxed and unpinned me. "That is how knives work. Before you know they even have one, you're at the sharp edge of it. But it works the other way, too. You can use that element of surprise in your favor."
    " Knives are handier in a close fight, such as your bathroom incident. But you don't want to let your enemy get his hands on your knife, or he's going to use it against you. Only throw it if you know you can take him out, or if you have several more you can throw to keep him from getting to you." He half turned and casually tossed a couple of knives over his shoulder into a scarecrow. One landed in the head and the other dead in its heart.
    He turned back to me and laughed when he saw my mouth gaping open. The man had some serious knife- wielding skills.
    "Everyone has their soft spots. Morse likes his guns, and I like my knives. Of course, I've been practicing for as long as I can remember."
    I was eager to learn, but he cautioned me over and over until my excitement started to wane.
    "Hold the knife by the tip of the blade and raise it over your head, bringing it down in a straight line before you let it go." He demonstrated and the knife flew perfectly into the body of the scarecrow.
    "Isn't it dangerous to hold the blade?" I asked, grabbing one of the knives gingerly.
    "Not if you know what