"You tell me." he said getting closer with each slow step and now I knew all his vital levels were completely fine as he smirked looking at the ground approaching me "I called you 'baby' and for the first time as I remember you didn't want to, I quo...
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2012, England
"See the target right there" he kneels down next to me, our head on the same level and points at the fake animal with his index finger looking back at me to see if I listen carefully " that's where you shoot." he tells me.
I'm looking at the target shaped like a rabbit. It's attached to a tree about 20 meters away from us.
My hands start to tremble from all the pressure around me. The air rifle in my hands feels very heavy and I don't know how I would be able to hit that rabbit. Before today's practice I promised myself that I won't disappoint my father. I want him to be proud of me.
I've held a gun before but never shot one. It might seem very strange for some, young children holding guns, let alone shooting.
We, however,weren't a normal family.
I take a deep breath and focus on the target attached to the wooden surface, I pull the trigger and the dull sound of the shot starts to rumble in my ears as I notice frightened crows that fly out of the treetops.
The bullet hits fake rabbit straight in the eye, and I couldn't believe I actually shot him.
"Okay that was good, now give the rifle to your sister" my overexcitement was cut by my father who always cared more for my little sister. Sometimes I thought he only cared about her, she was her little pearl, annoying miss perfect, Julia this, Julia that. It hurts me that he never praise me even thought I really try my hardest to make him proud and happy.
Our mum is inside cooking dinner for us and my little sister is standing right next to me, waiting for her turn to shoot. She is looking at the rifle impatiently like it was the only object in her vision. Sparkles in her eyes were very visible even from the distance.
Our family was never normal. During our childhood we didn't play hide and seek or make castles in the sand like normal children do. We were raised differently, and I had to win todays practice no matter what. Dad promised us that the one who shoots better can come with him to his work next week and see the company, I couldn't miss it.
"No, I wanted to shoot more!" I startle looking back at my dad in annoyance. It wasn't a good idea because the minute after his kind features changed into something dark and unpleasant.
" Fuckin hell Jenny! Just give that damn rifle to your sister!" My dad shouts at me.
I never liked having a respected CEO of a company as my father. He can be pretty though and mean sometimes but I still his daughter and owns him my respect for making me who I am now.
"Okay" I sigh, giving the rifle to Julia. I've already learned not to fight with my dad because he always is the one to have a last word in an argument and I end up badly.
