Mounting Danger

Chapter 6-Straight Shooter

The car rumbled along the road, and I couldn't help but steal glances at the changing scenery. The cityscape gradually gave way to a wilderness of trees that closed in around us. I wasn't familiar with the roads we were taking anymore and it caused a small string of panic to settle in me.

"How far out is this place again?" I pestered Ryder, my patience wearing thin as my grip on the armrest tightened. He sighed, his lips tightening the slightest bit.

"Not far. We're almost there."

I leaned my forehead against the window, staring out like a child searching for answers. The car made another abrupt turn, and we veered onto a rough dirt road that led to a solitary, expansive building, the only structure for acres around.

Ryder swung the Jeep to a stop, its tires crunching gravel underfoot. "We're here." Ryder grinned, his eyes glinting with excitement as he opened his door and hopped out. He extended a hand to me and lifted me out of the high jeep like a ventriloquist doll. 

 I swallowed hard, trying to calm the drumming in my chest. 

I walked in nearly cowering in Ryder's shadow. The scent of gunpowder clung to the air inside making my nose turn up at first. There was a low hum of conversation that made it obvious everyone else had been here waiting for a while. I spot Kayle and Damon first since they were the loudest. It took me a few seconds to notice Eli propped up in the corner silently watching. His phone was in his hand and a large assault rifle lay on his stomach casually.

I hoped they didn't expect me to learn how to shoot anything of the sort. 

Damon was the first to approach me, his steps echoing through the cavernous room. He handed me a pair of vibrant pink gloves and safety glasses. It was followed by a heavy pair of black earmuffs. "Safety first," he advised."You don't want to go blind or deaf, especially when Ryder shoots like he's living in a 1950s action movie." He was leaning in so Ryder couldn't hear him.

I smiled at Damon's playful warning but beneath the facade, my nerves gnawed at me. The truth was, up until now I had never seen a gun in person, let alone hold one.

"I figured we'd start with the basics," Damon explained as he walked over to a rack of guns. With deliberate care, he selected the smallest one, a sleek pistol. "For now, there are only blanks in here. I'll teach you about safety and reloading."

I couldn't resist a jest, attempting to lighten the heavy mood. "Sounds a bit boring, doesn't it?"

Damon raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. "You're putting on a brave face, I see."

"You're on to me?"

He leaned against the wall, the cold metal of assault rifles serving as a stark backdrop."I'm a big brother. It's my job to see through the bullshit."

"I'd never have guessed."

 His face contorted. "What?"

"That you guys are brothers." I offered a cheeky smile. "But seriously, you all look so different... but similar."

I watched as Damon checked the small weapon before trying to hand it off. I pretended not to notice. "Meaning?"

"You're all in sync demeanor-wise, all pretty intimidating. But looks-wise, you're drastically different. Do you guys have different fathers?"

"Yeah. I thought that was obvious." Damon chuckled. "We're not biological brothers. We're blood brothers."

Now my face was twisted. "Meaning?"

Damon's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "You ever heard that trauma bonds people?" His question was rhetorical. "Well, we've got a lifetime of that. But we turned out alright... thanks to Oliver."