CHAPTER 2: THE SHOT NOBODY EXPECTED
Several people immediately noticed.
The shooter noticed too.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Noah didn't answer.
He walked straight to the rifle.
The crowd exchanged confused looks.
Then the boy picked it up.
Checked the chamber.
Adjusted the stock.
Settled naturally behind the scope.
The laughter started almost immediately.
A few spectators raised their phones.
Others folded their arms and waited for the embarrassment to begin.
The shooter grinned.
"You actually think you can hit that target?"
The target sat hundreds of yards away.
Far enough that many experienced adults struggled to hit it consistently.
Noah ignored him.
He rested his cheek against the stock.
The crowd disappeared.
The noise disappeared.
Everything narrowed to a single red circle visible through the scope.
Then he squeezed the trigger.
BOOM.
The shot echoed across the range.
Everyone looked toward the distant target.
For one long second, nothing happened.
Then the electronic monitor flashed.
Bullseye.
Dead center.
The laughter vanished instantly.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
The shooter stared at the screen.
Certain there had to be some mistake.
Noah calmly lowered the rifle.
As if hitting the center wasn't surprising at all.
Then movement caught everyone's attention.
On the observation deck above, an elderly man had suddenly risen from his chair.
General Harrison.
A decorated military commander known throughout the state.
His eyes weren't on the target.
They weren't on the rifle.
They were fixed on something hanging around Noah's neck.
A worn metal dog tag.
Sunlight struck the engraved surface.
And the general's face changed completely.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Then something much deeper.
Something emotional.
"That pendant..."
His voice barely carried across the range.
The people around him turned.
The general stepped forward.
"Where did you get it?"
For the first time all day, Noah's expression softened.
He reached up and touched the dog tag.
May you like
"My father told me to show it to someone."
The color drained from the general's face.
