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I watch as his eyes roam the familiar faces of my classmates who look kind of scared to do it. “Anyone?” He continues to say as his gaze locks onto Ethan.

“Mr Bennett, why don’t you do everyone the honors?”

I watch as Ethan grimaces as he stands up from the bench we are all sitting on.

“Now, class. I have to remind you that these are not real bullets we are using, they’re pellets used to simulate them.” He removed the magazine to show us the rounds. “Less lethal but stings just the same,” he tells us with a stupid smirk on his face.

“Mr Caldwell…”

My eyes widen at the mention of his name.

“Yes, Mr Porter?” He replies tiredly.

“I trust you know how to fire a gun, no?” Our headmaster says with an arrogant smile on his face. “Or, have you forgotten already?”

Damien grunts before stepping further into the room, venturing closer towards him.

“No, Mr Porter. I haven’t forgotten how to shoot a gun,” he tells him bluntly before taking the Glock from his open hand.

I notice their interaction together, Damien looks tense to say the least as he prepares his weapon, unloading the magazine to give it the once over before placing it back inside.

I want to stop looking at him, to stop my mind from searching his eyes every time we’re in the same room. But habits don’t disappear just because they start hurting.

Even if he makes me sick to my stomach, still I find his eyes.

And every time, I catch him looking back, as if he’s searching for proof that all I see now are the lies he told me.

“Rule number one,” Damien addresses us all. “Always check your weapon before using it.”

“This should be fun, ” Mr Porter whispers again.

Okay, so something is definitely going on between these two…

I feel Hayzel’s elbow digging into my side and my head snaps to look at her.

“Reya,” she gestures to where Ethan is standing with her chin. “Do you think he’s gonna scream?”

I can’t help but laugh quietly at her question.

“Oh, Ms Vitelli…” Mr Porter says, looking back at me. “If you think today’s lesson is so humorous, why don’t you take Mr Bennett’s place?”

89

Damien

Play - A Little Death by The Neighbourhood

No choices

I feel my jaw clench as the bastard smiles at me with a smirk that makes my blood run cold. I’d do anything right now to replace this gun's bullets with real ones so I can shoot him instead.

I watch as Ethan practically darts off the small platform we are standing on and Mireya takes his place. Mr Porter strides towards her, placing both of his hands to either side of her arms, centering her in the right position as if this was just any ordinary day at the shooting range.

“You stand right here, Ms Vitelli.” He then spins on his heel to further address the class. “The objective of today’s lesson is to observe your professor’s technique, his discipline and control while engaging a target. These are skills you’ll be expected to master before graduating and serving as agents. Accuracy isn’t the only purpose of a firearm. The way you handle a weapon can project confidence, establish power dynamics and when necessary, intimidate your target before a single shot is fired.”

He then looks towards me, his eyes gleaming with mirth and intrigue.

“Why don’t you show us how it’s done, Professor Caldwell…”