CHAPTER 96
Elizabeth was on her second day of training with the gun Tom had given her. Tom was amazed to see how easily she learned things, Jack really was right... that woman was very stubborn and when she put her mind to something, no one could make her give up. It was incredible perseverance.
She didn't want to take the gun Bill had given her, because if she touched the box she was sure Bill or Jack would notice, and she didn't want anyone knowing about her lessons.
She decided to take advantage of Saturday to train, as Jack and the other mounties were all in a meeting and then out of town chasing leads on Charles. Tom knew things were hotting up and danger was looming, and seeing the determination in Elizabeth's eyes, he was sure she was preparing for a war.
Tom held the rifle steady, his gaze focused on the distant target. Elizabeth, beside him, watched intently, eager to absorb every word of his lesson.
Tom pointed at the rifle and explained:
- Elizabeth, the first thing you need to remember is to keep the rifle firmly against your shoulder. This will give you more stability.
Elizabeth agreed, adjusting the position of the weapon.
- Now, look through the scope. See the target up ahead? Imagine it's the last bit of peace we have in this world. Tom said.
Elizabeth smiled and said:
- That's poetic.
- Sometimes you need a bit of poetry to keep your sanity. Now, take a deep breath. Control your breathing. Don't shoot while you're exhaling. You want to be at your most stable when you pull the trigger. Tom stood behind her, teaching her and watching her movements.
Elizabeth followed his instructions, concentrating on her breathing.
- That's good. Now, pay attention to the sights. See how it lines up with the target? It's like finding balance in life. Find the right spot and, when you feel you're there, gently press the trigger. You can do it Elizabeth... said Tom.
Elizabeth adjusted her aim in line with Tomes words.
- Like that, Tom?
- That's perfect. Now imagine that every shot is an opportunity to protect the ones you love. Sometimes the only thing standing between safety and danger is the right aim.
Elizabeth looked at the target, absorbing Tom's words.
- Now, go ahead. Show me what you can do.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, focused her sights and removed the trigger. The sound of the shot ripped through the
landscape, cutting through the silence, and the target revealed the precise impact of Elizabeth's shot.
- That's right, Elizabeth. You're beginning to understand. In life or in aim, the key is to find the balance and destroy with a firm heart.
The two shared a complicit look, aware that, in this new world, every skill learned was an essential tool for survival.
Meanwhile, in Hamilton, Viola took advantage of the society circle and tearfully told the young women, her high-society friends, all about Elizabeth's past and present...
- You won't believe what I'm about to tell you, but my middle sister, Elizabeth, has always been a lot of trouble.
- We know, Viola, you always told us when we were at school.
- Yes, but I've only told parts of it. There were things she did, like standing behind the school wall, and every day there was a boy under her skirts. Both Júlia and I, several times, ran and tried to avoid those encounters, but she was very angry and always did what she wanted, she was very hot and fiery... you can look up the boys from that time, and they'll all tell you what my sister tasted like, or what her body was like. At university it was even worse, she exchanged her feminine charms for tuition and accommodation; at the time my mother was terrified, because my parents would never accept her living on her own or taking that teacher's course... Imagine a Thatcher, teaching catarrhal and hungry children. But she was cruel to the whole family and went off to study, becoming a whore in college... Poor Charles, always in love with her, tried everything he could to bring her back to her senses, but it was impossible... and even though Charles proposed marriage, she preferred to run off to Hope Valle, after winning the teaching job, sleeping with the principal of the college and you won't believe that she spent most nights in the bed of a soldier in Hope Valle inside the police station; the whole town knows and they're trying to remove her from her teaching job, but the soldier always protects her and so those young people and children are being taught by someone of that level.
- Wow, Viola! So that's why Julia acted like that?
- Yes... my sister was indignant, because Bile Hamilton is a friend of the family, a man of distinction, good people, and I can assure you that he was honest. He and Julia were dating, but Elizabeth did everything she could to provoke the man and tried everything she could to get him to take her to his bed, but when he refused, she set a trap and ended up killing him.
- Oh my God! I'm horrified... your family is eating the devil's bread with this sister of yours, Elizabeth.
- Yes... Patrícia. I need your help so much right now.
-No problem. Mom is president of the general education committee, and she can put an end to Elizabeth's victories. When she hears about this story, I'm sure she'll apply for the position of teacher and maybe her sex-bought diploma.
Viola said goodbye through tears, but as soon as she left, her Machiavellian laugh broke out. Elizabeth didn't know what was in store for her...
"You'll pay for all the evil."