Short Stories: Love

The Perfect Shot

Santiago Lorenzo, a top notch animal photographer who specializes in taking wild life shots.

James Crest, military sniper who served in Afghanistan, recently returned home and is currently off duty.

Both men had entered the same bar, sat down and are currently enjoying a drink. Santiago had been the one to strike a conversation with James. He noticed James sitting alone and walked up to him.

"Hey," Santiago grinned at the lone man, "I noticed you're all alone so I hope you don't mind the company,"

James regarded him for a moment. "I don't mind at all, what's your name?"

"Santiago, my friends called me 'Santia' though." He took the seat next to James. "And you are?"

James reached out for a hand shake, "James, nice to meet you,"

"Cool! You know, I have pretty sharp eyes," Santiago started. Might as well talk about the one thing he loves the most, photography.

"Oh? So do I," James replied, "I have pretty steady hands, so mix that with my eyes and I can safely say I never miss."

"That's awesome! I didn't think, I'd meet another one like me here," Santiago mused, "I'm a good shot. Sometimes they don't turn out pretty well though."

James nodded his head. He understood. There was this one time when he missed an important shot and announced his position for the whole world to see. It ended with him hitting people with his gun after he ran out of bullets and a ton of wounds.

Might as well offer some advice to Santia, James thought. "The best way to get the perfect shot is to predict the movements of your target,"

Santiago nodded in agreement, "I also make sure to hide. Camouflage can never be overkill,"

The sniper smiled at the man, "True. Hide your tracks, cover yourself, and be patient. It's like a standard for us,"

"Say, do you shoot in a team or do you go solo?" Santiago asked him. James looked like a solo kind of guy but you can never be too sure.

"Solo, I never miss my target ever since I started going solo,"

"Huh, that's interesting. I go solo too, makes it easier for me to do what's necessary for a good shot." Like lying down, with what he calls the 'Bazooka Lens' in order to take a picture of a rhino.

James hummed. "Typically I tend to breathe while I shoot. Makes it easier to stay calm when shooting," 

"Ahh," Santiago paused to take a sip, "What I do when I try to take a good shot is stay focused. Keep my eyes on the prize and make sure I'm locked in and bam! Done and over with,"

A ringing distracted James from the conversation he's having with his fellow sniper and he excused himself from Santia. Apparently, his daughter's in the hospital for a hand injury while she was carrying a table. Frowning, he nodded his head and ended the call.

"Hey, James, are you alright?" A worried Santiago tapped his shoulder.

Shaking his head, he sighed. "Something happened to my daughter, so we'll have to cut this conversation short. It was a pleasure to meet you Santia."

Understanding, Santiago handed his phone number. "Hope your daughter gets well soon. Here's my phone number, if you ever want to continue our chat,"

Thanking him, James left the bar. He pocketed the card with a nod and small salute.

It is then that Santiago left, happy to have met a fellow photographer and none the wiser of the double meanings in their conversation.