The bullet whooshed through the air and collided with the target.
This time, by following Hugo's instructions I managed to keep the recoil minimal.
'Wow. I did it.'
I was a little dumbfounded by how well that went.
The difference between using proper form and randomly shooting was night and day.
My hands were no longer pushed upwards by the recoil, though it still hurt a little, the pain was much less.
I curled my lips, forming a grin.
The feeling of properly shooting a gun was... exhilarating!
'Hah, who knew shooting a gun could be so fun!'
I continued to fire blanks towards the target, each time my aim slowly getting steadier and steadier.
Hugo, in a rare show of emotion, had a small smile.
Then the loud ringing sound of the blank shooting out started to become less jarring.
Instead, I slowly started to associate the sound with gratification.
Each time I heard it, a wave of adrenaline would just crash over me.
The bite from the revolver was also no longer painful, but a tingling sensation that kept me alert.
Before long, I was laughing like a mad person.
Round after round, blanks after blanks, I fired them all towards the target in front of me.
At first, I started with the target about five meters away, then I went to ten meters, fifteen meters, and eventually stopped at twenty meters.
"Hugo! Now I understand why those nobles love hunting competitions, the feeling when I shoot the revolver and the sound it makes is just so satisfying!"
Time passed by in a flash as the light from the sun started to pour in from the windows, the sun hanging high in the sky.
It was then, when I was about to load another round of blanks, Hugo grabbed my hand, stopping me.
"That's enough training for today, Amon."
"Why though? I am having so much fun?"
He shook his head side to side before letting go.
"Look at your hand properly."
'Hmm? Why?'
I raised my eyebrows at his words but decided to trust him and inspected my hand.
It was then I realised what he meant by enough.
My eyes widened as I wondered how I did not notice this before.
My hands were shaking non-stop!
Though there weren't any physical cuts or scrapes, I could not stop my hands from shaking.
"This is what happens when you train for too long and overexert yourself, Amon."
Hugo said as he patted me on the shoulder.
"I wanted to stop you earlier but you seemed like you were having lots of fun, so I decided to let you carry on and let you see the consequences also."
"Oh... I understand now, Hugo."
My face was slightly flushed in embarrassment.
'I didn't realise I got so carried away...'
I sighed inwardly at my stupidity.
With my revolver hidden in my coat once again, the both of us left the police station to get lunch before we returned to the office.
On our way out, the balding middle-aged police officer was once again seen reading his newspaper.
However, the moment he saw us, he quickly hid it and anxiously bid us farewell.
'Hah. If Mr. Carrow really was backing me I would have played with him a little more... too bad.'
"So Hugo, where should we get lunch at?"
I trailed behind him, closely observing our surroundings.
There were still people who looked like a complete mess lying down on the street, most probably also having had their houses burnt down.
They most likely couldn't find a place to stay, forced to sleep on the streets...
Also now, with the sun up, the ash and smoke in the air were much more prominent. Everywhere we went it was as if we were walking through a thin black fog.
"Anything, I don't have any preferences."
'It does make sense, a guy like Hugo looks like he would just eat whatever he is given...'
"Well in that case, why don't we go to a diner that is not too far from here. The food is not only affordable, but also very delicious. I often go there with my mother."
"Ok."
With a short affirmation, we both walked down a few more blocks, turning between different streets until we reached a small restaurant.
On the outside it looked quite old, but not in a bad way. It was more like a rustic feel, the design simple but elegant.
The queue outside was longer than usual due to the amount of new homeless people trying to just find a place to rest and eat.
We waited outside for about ten minutes before we were given a seat inside the diner.
"Did you know, Hugo, that this place is owned by a family of four that has passed down this diner from generation to generation?"
I casually told him a fun fact about the diner as we ordered our food.
"Good morning gentlemen, what would you like to order?"
A young waitress came up to us.
"I will have the chicken set, what about you Hugo?"
"I will have the same."
He closed the menu without properly looking at it.
'Wow, he really just goes with the flow doesn't he?'
"Ok, two chicken sets coming right up!"
The young waitress confirmed our order with a smile and left to inform the kitchen.
"That young lady right there is the daughter of the owner."
I pointed at her as she left.
'Actually, why am I telling Hugo this?'
At his constant lack of response, I started to feel a little bit disappointed.
The smile on my face slowly fading away as I stared outside the window.
'Now that I think about it, I don't really know him do I? We have only properly met each other four days ago, and now he is my watcher of sorts.'
I started to feel a little distant from him in that moment.
I did not know him and he did not know much about me either.
Though he saved me, it was just because that was his job.
Now he is protecting me while at the same time monitoring me for Thomas Carrow.
There was no connection between us besides being strictly professional.
I couldn't call him my friend.
We sat in silence until our food arrived, not speaking to each other.
"Here, your two chicken sets and also a complimentary dessert for you, Amon."
This time, a middle-aged woman came to us and placed down our food. She was the mother of the previous waitress and the co-owner of this diner.
"Ah you didn't have to, Madam Evelin."
My lips had subconsciously curled up into a smile as I thanked her.
"Oh it is nothing for a returning customer like you. Say hi to your mother for me."
She waved at me with a smile as she walked away.
I looked back at the table which had two sets of hot grilled chicken with mashed potatoes on the side. For me, there was also a small cup of pudding.
"Well let's dig in, I hope you enjoy it Hugo."
I held my knife in my right hand and the fork in my left.
Slowly, I used the knife to cut the chicken, gliding through it.
Hot steam emanated from the chicken, causing the fresh aroma to fill my nose.
I picked up one of the bite-sized pieces and slowly blew onto it.
Once it cooled down, I placed it into my mouth.
It was incredibly tender and filled with juices.
Next, I savoured the mashed potatoes which had just the right amount of richness and creaminess.
'For some reason the food doesn't taste as good today...'
I let out a soft sigh, as I slowly poked at the food, losing my appetite with each bite.
"AHHHH!"
A scream echoed out through the diner.
"This is a robbery, give me all the cash or I will kill this young girl."
I quickly turned my attention to the voice and saw two men dressed in black with their faces covered.
One of them was holding a knife to the owner's daughter and the other was threatening the cashier.
"What is happening-- Ah Christine! Let my girl go!"
The mother walked out from the back and screamed in horror at the sight of her daughter being held hostage.
"Hugo what should we do?"
I whispered towards him.
"The best option is to just ignore them. No one will get hurt if they give the money and the police will deal with it after once they leave."
"What? How can we just stand by watching them get robbed?"
I protested in response to his solution.
"If we interfere it might escalate which may result in the robbers getting agitated and they might end up hurting the girl."
I gritted my teeth at his words.
'Damn it!'
I felt my blood begin to boil, but the reason was not because I was mad at Hugo.
Instead it was because he was right.
If we carelessly try to stop them they might continue to take Christine hostage and might even end up killing her!
I clenched my fists tightly as I sat back onto my seat, carefully observing the situation.
'I will listen to Hugo, but if I detect even a trace that she might get stabbed I will shoot the robber!'
With the optimal solution in mind, I stayed back and waited for the situation to pass.
But this is real life and nothing really ever goes as planned right?