again.”

Jenna nodded.

“Do you need to reload it?”

Balto smiled.

“No, it’s got six shots in it already, just pull the hammer back again.”

Jenna nodded and sighed.

She reassumed the position and pulled the hammer back, took a deep breath and gently squeezed the trigger once more.

This time the bottle shattered.

“Good job.” Balto said.

Jenna smiled.

“I killed it!”

“Sure you did.” Balto said. “Here, try this.”

He handed Jenna a lever-action rifle.

“That’s the thirty-thirty Winchester.” Balto said.

“How do you hold this thing?” Jenna asked. Balto again stepped behind her.

Put the butt-stock in your shoulder and put your other hand on the fore-end, like this.” Balto said, positioning her hands.

Now, pull the fingers of your right hand down.

Jenna did, operating the lever.

“Now, same as before,” Balto said. “…but now you should actually use the sights. Usually if you’re fireing a rifle you have time to aim. Just line the front one up in between the notch in the back one. Then squeeze the trigger.”

Jenna did as she was told, and the gun went off, almost clobbering Balto, as Jenna lost control of the rifle and it swung over her shoulder.

The shot was wide of the target as well.

“Okay,” Balto said. “I forgot to mention that the rifle kicks a bit harder. To compensate for that pull it into your shoulder tightly.”

Jenna nodded.

“Try it again.” Balto said.

Jenna pulled the rifle back to her shoulder and this time pressed it into her shoulder.

“It also helps some people to close their left eye when aiming down sights.” Balto said.

Jenna took a deep breath, chambered a new round, and gently squeezed the trigger, this time, not only did she keep control of the firearm, but another bottle fell in shards.

“I think you’re getting the hang of this.” Balto said.

Jenna smiled.

“…one more kind of gun.” Balto said.

He pulled a double barrel shotgun from it’s place against the tree.

“This is a shotgun. It’s devastating at close range, good at mid-range, but useless at long range. Instead of one solid bullet this one fires a bunch of little steel balls, which separate and fall apart as they travel through the air. It’s also good on moving targets. “

Jenna nodded.

“Okay, this one will sit in your shoulder, same as the rifle.” Balto said. “Push the little switch down near the hammers.”

Jenna did as she was told and the breech opened.

“Oh no.” Jenna said. “I broke it.”

Balto laughed.

“Jenna… you… you didn’t break it, it’s supposed to do that.”

“Oh…” Jenna said.

“Take two of these.” Balto said trying to stop laughing. He held out a handful of shotgun shells.

Jenna took two of the red shells and stuck them into the barrels.

“Now close it back up.” Balto said, having finally won the battle over his laughter

Again, Jenna did as she was told and the breech snapped shut.

Balto got behind her again and she pulled the shotgun into her shoulder.

“Now,” Balto began again. “The shotgun doesn’t really have a sight, it has what’s called a bead. That’s the little silver ball in between the two barrels. Just put that on your target and fire. This one is going to be a bit stronger than the rifle was though, so make sure you’ve got a good grip on it.”

Jenna nodded and cocked the hammer, pressing the stock into her shoulder as hard as she could. Then she gently squeezed the trigger.

A great boom filled the country side as the shotgun went off and a group of three beer bottles nearby shattered.

Balto smiled at her. “You’re a natural.”

Jenna returned his smile. “Hey Balto, can we keep practicing?”

Balto laughed. “Sure Jenna. I’ve got plenty of ammunition.”

Later that morning Balto and Jenna had returned to town and were enjoying a cool beer at the saloon together.

“Hey Jenna, I’ve got something for you.” Balto said. “What’s that?” Jenna asked.

“Here.” Balto said, handing her a white cloth covered parcel.

“Balto?” Jenna said questioningly as she pulled the paper off it to reveal a shiny pistol.

“So you can practice.” Balto said.

“…but this is yours.” Jenna said.

“I’ll get it back later.” Balto answered.

“Thank you.” Jenna said.

“You’re welcome.” Balto answered.

“Oh shoot!” Jenna yelled, jumping up.

“What is it?” Balto asked.

“What time is it?” Jenna asked.

“It’s ten o’clock.” Balto said. “Why?”

Jenna sighed. “…because I was supposed to open the store two hours ago, that’s why.”

She looked back up at him. “I’m sorry Balto, but I’ve got to go. I really did enjoy myself. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

Balto nodded.

“Have a good day Jenna.”

“You too.” Jenna said, rushing out of the Saloon.

Balto laughed to himself and turned back to his beer.

Chapter 3:

It was two days later before Balto went to see Jenna again.

As he walked in the door of the meat shop, Jenna saw him.

“Balto!” She said, then she dissapeared below the counter.

“That’s a bit strange.” Balto thought.

Jenna stood up and Balto found himself staring down the barrel of his very own pistol, clutched in Jenna’s trembling hands.

Balto dove behind a dispay shelf nearby as soon as he saw the gun, drawing his own out of instinct.

“I can kill her.” Balto thought. “She’s only been shooting for a few days now, I’ve got her in experience.”

He stopped and looked down at the pistol in his hand.

“What am I thinking?” Balto thought. “I can’t kill Jenna.”

Balto reholstered his pistol and stuck his head above the display a little.

“Jenna...” He said calmly. “…you know that thing isn’t a toy, you could kill me with that.”

Jenna pulled the hammer back and kept the shaking barrel pointed at him.

“I know that!” She yelled.

“What’s wrong with you Jenna?” Balto asked.

Jenna laughed nervously.

“I know about you now!” Jenna said.

“What do you mean?” Balto asked.

“When you told me that you’d killed people, you said it was only in self defense, you didn’t mention that they were young girls, that they were your girlfriends!”

Balto was confused.

“What?” He asked.

“My father told me all about you!” Jenna yelled. “You’re not going to get me without a fight!”

She sighed.

“…and to think I actually trusted you.”

“Jenna…” Balto said. “…your father is lying. I’d never harm a female.”

“Yeah right,” Jenna said.

“Please Jenna.” Balto said. “Let’s put the gun down and just talk about this. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Balto glanced down at his pistol again and thought for a moment.

“Could I do it?” He thought.

The words he had spoken to Jenna just a few days prior echoed in his mind.

“…just a few pounds of pressure, the click of a hammer and it’s over. It’s the thinkin’ afterward that will get you if you let it. You gotta not think about it.”

“Yeah I could do it.” Balto thought. “…but would I be able to force myself to not think about it?”

He peeked over the display again and saw tears in Jenna’s eyes, the gun shaking more than ever.

“…you hear me Jenna?” He asked.

Jenna nodded.

“I… I don’t want to hurt you either Balto. Just leave, now, get out of here.”

Balto sighed.

“…not the resolution I was hoping for.”

“Jenna…” He started, but Jenna cut him off. “Balto now!” She yelled. “Get out of here!”

Balto stood up slowly.

“Go.” Jenna said, the muzzle still pointed in Balto’s general direction.

Balto sighed and turned, walking out of the meat shop.

As soon as he was gone Jenna let the hammer back down and dropped the pistol on the floor.

Then she leaned on the counter and cried.

Sheriff Steele walked down a wide hall in the Earl household. He’d been summoned here by the Baron himself and whatever he had for Steele it was important.

Steele reached a solid oak door at the end of the hall and knocked on it.

The door was opened shortly by the Baron himself, who beckoned Steele inside.

“Please sit down Sherrif Steele.” The Baron said.

Steele took a seat in front of a large cherry wood desk, which the Baron sat behind.

He opened a drawer in the desk and extracted an aged bottle and two glasses,