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CHAPTER 69

Author: Chloe Pratt
last update Last Updated: 2023-12-19 04:40:09

Dan

I stifle the cough that threatens to burst out of me by pressing my mouth against my arm and tilting my face away from the worst of the smoke. One thing is certain: This fire is going far out of control.

My eyes are burning from the smoke, and the fumes are irritating my throat and impairing my vision.

Fun, Jade had mentioned. Enjoyable.

I understood why I should have been anxious.

I'm going to burn myself out of this tree with his concept of fun.

My rifle and my sight are drawn to my right by a sudden movement. My photographs now are more about feeling my way than looking because I'm so far up and there's smoke pouring below.

A wolf appears from behind a tree, its fur coloured reddish-brown. I pull the trigger.

I have a split second to compose myself; the shot seems nice, but the wolf has moved from where it was just a moment before.

B*tch.

I look for my next objective. It's harder now that the wolves are aware that I'm up here and that I'm not just capable of firing, but also ai
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    "What makes breathing so important?" I inquire, disregarding the aching in my left arm. It's only been a minute, yet I'm already trying to stay up."You could have lined up the most perfect shot in the world, but what if you get excited and your breathing changes?"I thought for a moment, but I didn't have a response for him. "No."He takes two deep, leisurely breaths. But his third breath is a bit faster, and the cannon slips to the left by about half an inch. "Did you notice that?"I nod. "Breathing made you move.""Move it just enough to throw off your shot." With a body shot, you can get away with it, but with a headshot, you can miss it entirely. "Calm and control will save the day here.""Are you not angry?" I inquire, intrigued by this aspect of Dan. I had no clue he knew how to shoot, much alone be so enthusiastic about it."There is a time for rage." Isn't it when you have a pistol in your hand?" He softly presses down on my finger. "This is exactly how it should feel. Breath

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