He Mocked My Aim Until My Seven Perfect Shots Revealed My Tragic Past
Previously: When Clara walked onto the dusty desert firing range, the instructors dismissed her as an amateur. But with seven shots and a heavy bolt-action rifle, she proved she was hunting for justice.
A Ghost From the Past
The silence that followed the final gunshot was deafening. The spectators who had been smirking moments ago now stared at Clara in absolute awe. No one spoke. The only sound was the wind carrying dust across the dry flats. Jack walked over to Clara, his skeptical demeanor completely replaced by intense curiosity and a hint of suspicion. He looked at the target, then down at the custom bolt-action rifle in her hands.
blockquote>"Who the hell are you?" Jack demanded, his voice low and serious. "Nobody shoots like that without years of elite training. And that rifle... I know that custom stock."Clara felt her throat go dry. She had hoped to pass the test and secure a spot on the security detail without revealing her identity. But she had underestimated Jack's sharp eyes. She took a deep breath and looked directly at him, lowering her voice so the others couldn't hear.
Jack froze. He took off his sunglasses, revealing eyes that were suddenly filled with pain and recognition. He stared at Clara, his hands trembling slightly as he processed her words. Marcus had been his closest friend, an elite officer who had supposedly died in a tragic accident three years ago—an accident Clara knew was a cover-up.
blockquote>"Clara..." Jack breathed, his voice barely audible. "We all thought you were dead. The department said you fled the country after Marcus..."The department lied," Clara interrupted, her eyes burning with determination. "They set him up, and they tried to silence me. I’ve been running for three years, Jack. But I’m done running. I need to get into the councilman's gala, and you're the only one who can get me on that security team."
Before Jack could reply, the heavy rumble of an engine broke the silence. A sleek black SUV kicked up a massive cloud of dust as it sped toward the range, stopping just yards away. Jack's expression darkened instantly as he gripped his sidearm.
blockquote>"You shouldn't have come here today, Clara," Jack warned grimly. "That's Councilman Vance's private security detail. They're here for an unscheduled inspection—and they know someone is looking for them."”They're here for an unscheduled inspection—and they know someone is looking for them."