“I don’t want to,” Jennifer said, shrinking back into him.

“If we’re really going down this path together, you’ve gotta learn to be comfortable around guns,” he said, and showed her the gun. “This knob here on the barrel is the safety.” He pointed. “It’s on right now, so if you pull the trigger, nothing happens.” He demonstrated by pointing the gun at the targets and squeezing the trigger. Nothing happened. “Never point a gun toward yourself, even with the safety on, all right?” He flipped the safety off.

Jennifer nodded. Her hands still grasped the sides of his thighs behind her. She trembled, staring at the gun as if it were a king cobra ready to sink its fangs in the soft flesh of her hand.

“Stand in ready position.” He instructed and she looked back confused. “Karate stance,” he replied.

Jennifer shifted her weight, bringing her right foot back slightly so she stood at a slight angle to the target.

Steve reached down and grabbed her left hand with his, bringing it up to hold the butt of the gun. “Now bring your other hand up here,” he said, keeping his left hand, under hers.

Jennifer hesitantly brought her hand up and put it over his.

“Now, take the gun and just hold it to feel the weight.” He slowly removed his hand as she took the gun. “It’s going to be loud even with the earplugs,” he said after a moment. “And the gun is going to kick back toward you.” He slid his hand back over hers. “Think you can hit that target?” He aimed the gun toward the target.

“I don’t know.” Jennifer stopped shaking. Something about the way he ran his hand over hers and his voice talking softly in her ear aroused her and she forgot to be afraid.

“Okay, it’s time to put your finger on the trigger,” he said. “Gently squeeze.”

She did as he instructed. The resounding thunder filled the clearing and the spent 9mm cartridge discharged to their right. She jumped and the gun recoiled, kicking back enough for Steve to steady it in her hands. The bullet went high and right, hitting nothing but branches. He took it out of her hands with a smile. “That wasn’t too bad.” He flipped the safety on. He turned her gently and kissed her. “Don’t try this at home,” he chuckled. With one arm around her waist, he aimed the gun, flipped off the safety, shot twice in rapid succession and brought the gun back down in seconds, smiling at her wide eyes.

She watched him flip the safety on again and turned her head toward the target. A small hole graced the center of the bull’s eye and a ray of sunshine shone through. It hadn’t been there moments before. “You hit that dead on.”

“I’m one of the best.” He escorted her back to the car. “Feel a little safer now?” He glanced at her as he slid the gun under the seat and started the car.

Jennifer smiled. The arrogance and self-assurance he displayed on the shooting range stirred something deep within her. It also brought the point home that he was a federal officer, something that, despite the previous evening’s interrogation, had not really hit home until she saw the gun.

“This clip holds eight rounds,” he explained. “I’ll have to remember there are only five now,” he said to himself.

“This isn’t a game, is it?” she commented.

“No, it isn’t.” He sighed. “And if I’m wrong about you, I’m a dead man.” He shrugged and then raised his eyebrows. “But after the last two days, I guess I can die happy because I’ve already had a small taste of heaven.” He smiled without looking at her.

“You’re not wrong about me, Steve.” She put her hand on his.

Steve nodded and glanced at the floor by her feet. The notebook was still there. “Open that please.” He pointed his chin at the notebook. Jennifer leaned over and grabbed it, flipping it open at the center.

She is mine, he must die.

“It changed,” she said, almost tossing the notebook away.

Steve glanced at the bloody words and took a deep breath. “Close it.”

She did, tossing it back to the floor.

Steve glanced at the discarded notebook and then back at the road. His brow furrowed. He glanced at Jennifer and then back at the road as he pulled into the student center parking lot and slid into the spot next to her car, pulling the keys out of the ignition. Leaning back in the seat, he ran his hands over his face. “Hand me the notebook.”

Jennifer picked it up between her thumb and forefinger like a dirty tissue and held it out for him. She gripped the door with her other hand and watched as he opened it again. The words stared back at them.

“Who must die?” he asked like he was trying to solve the riddle in his mind.

You.

Jennifer gasped.

The words hadn’t changed and Steve looked over at Jennifer.

She was pale, her wide green eyes frightened as they looked from the page to him.

“What does it say?”

Her chin began to tremble as the tears spilled over. “You,” she whispered. “It says You.”

Steve closed the notebook. “I ain’t dying,” he said harshly, tossing the notebook behind her seat. “Neither are you. Not till we’re old and gray and our grandchildren are grown with kids of their own.” He grabbed the garbage from the trunk and crossed to the dumpster, tossing it inside. He stopped and took her in with his eyes. Nothing is going to hurt you. Not as long as I’m breathing. He promised himself.

Approaching her, he took her face in his hands. “I know it’s only been three days, but I’m in love with you.” He kissed her. “No matter what that says. We will both have long and happy lives. I promise.”

Jennifer’s chin began to quiver and her eyes filled with tears. “Don’t make me promises you might not be able to keep.” She put her head against his chest.

He went to say he would, but he just kissed the top of her head instead. She was right—in the line of work he was in, he couldn’t make those kinds of promises. “I promise I’ll be careful,” he finally said and felt her nod into his chest. He glanced at his watch. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had anything substantial to eat since yesterday afternoon. Do you want to grab a bite at the pub?”

“Why don’t we go back to my apartment?” Jennifer wiped her face. She fished through her pocketbook for her car keys. “I really don’t want to be around a bunch of people right now.”

“I can’t, babe. I’ve got to grab something quick and head back to the frat house.” He touched her face. “And we both know if I go back to the apartment, it won’t be quick.” Taking her hand, he said, “Come on.” He tilted his head toward the building.

“Steve,” she whined as he pulled her along each step, melting her resolve.

“You have to eat,” he said, making a valid argument and her stomach responded with a loud rumbling that made him raise his eyebrows. “See?”

“Okay,” she caved.

They went in and sat down. The pub wasn’t crowded and the waitress came right over to take their order. They each got a bacon cheeseburger, fries and soda.

Steve scanned the nearly empty room, sizing up each person who came within his line of sight in a matter of seconds. No one in the room posed a threat and he returned his gaze to Jennifer.

“Do you do that everywhere you go?” Jennifer asked, observing his mental scan of the room.

“Yes,” he answered, his focus falling back on her.

Jennifer shook her head and laughed. “It’s a little unnerving at times.”

He smiled. “I guess we’re even.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your visions or glimpses or whatever you call them unnerve me.” He took a sip of water. “Did you ever have any other visions like you had about that girl?”

Jennifer thought about the question before answering. “I’ve had some nightmares. Always people I don’t recognize, but the dark figure is the same. I always woke up before….” She trailed off.

“Before what?”

“Before it killed them,” she answered and sipped her water. “At least I assume it killed them.” Steve leaned back in the chair, debating on asking the next question.