After an entire day of shooting, I sigh and look at Shang Show. Part of me wishes to give thanks to him for teaching me how to shoot but...I also don't want to talk to him. I don't know what to do. I'm at a loss as i don't feel like Shang Show has done anything that warrants my attention or words.

I mean.

He was the reason I was shot!

But as I think on it again, I remember Jacob saying that Shang Show is use to working alone. And it piques my curiosity a bit. It makes me wonder what did Shang Show do before any of this? Before Calvin James killed his dad? Or coming to this country they call the United States? Or was he born here?

I sigh as I line my gun up with a tin can. I position myself the same way Shang Show taught me.

I let out an exhale as I pull the trigger. The blowback hurts a bit but I knock the tin can off the barrel in one shot.

I think I'm getting the hang of it!

As I line up my shot, I pull the trigger.

Click.

Click.

Click.

I look at the gun. Why won't it shoot anymore? 

I stop to think for a second and realize: I have to load the gun to continue firing. Simple enough, I suppose.

I look at the gun but...I have no idea how to open the chamber. I pull the hammer and try to see if that's how to open the chamber. But no, it's not. I even try to push out the chamber but it won't do anything but spin under my thumb.

I groan. I really don't want to ask for help. I should be able to do it myself but...I never handled a gun, much less shoot one until today.

I sigh and look around. I don't see Jacob anywhere but I see Shang Show brushing Nina as she drinks from a bucket of water. He pats her on her neck and says something to her but given our distance, I don't know what he said. But I have an idea.

I feel my feet begin to walk his direction. I feel my chest get a tad tight and heat burst onto my cheeks. This is embarrassing. I could also hear it in my head what Shang Show would say when i ask him for help.

I frown at the thought but I need the help. And unfortunately, it's gonna be from him.

"Hey," i call out.

Shang Show turns to me as he puts his brush into his bag. Nina raises her head to look at me before going back to drinking out her buddy.

"Hey."

We stand in silence for a few moments as I shift my weight from left foot to right foot.

"...i need help. I want to load this chamber," i finally say, holding the gun up to him. 

I see Shang Show's eyebrows raise. He nods as he takes the gun. I'm shocked he hasn't commented on me asking for help.

"Come a lil' closer," he says. I walk closer to see what he's doing.

"Now, I know you ain't familiar with guns. This my top break," he says as he seemed to "snap" the gun in half to reveal it's chamber. I notice he presses something on the gun to allow it to swing free and empties the chambers of the used bullets, allowing them to clink onto the ground in one swift motion. "My second one a swing-out but I think this gon' be simpler for you. See how I pressed this thingy down?"

I look at him and it brings a smirk to his face.

"Technical term. Anyway, you see how I'm pressin' that? This release the chamber and front portion of the gun. And you load the gun like this. Don't worry 'bout not bein' fast as hell. You gon' get it with some practice."

He puts up the bullet and puts the rounded side in first. He then loads all the chambers.

"Now, 'cause I been doin' this for so long and know how to fix my gun; I ain't got no problem swingin' my gun back with my right hand. But 'cause you never did nothin' like this before; this the proper way of doin' it," he says. While pressing the...latch? Spring? I'm not totally sure but he presses that mechanism down and with his hand under the barrel, he pulls it up and allows it to click into place. 

Shang Show releases the mechanism and holds the gun toward me.

"Be mindful and be careful. Don't blow ya foot out."

I take the gun and look to him. We stare at each other before Shang Show looks away and rubbing his neck.

"...Thank you," i finally say after a long silence.

"No worries," he responds, turning back to Nina and taking her reigns. He begins leading her to a makeshift stable.

I turn to walk away but stop myself after two steps. 

Curiosity did kill the cat. But didn't satisfaction bring it back?

"Shang Show," i say, turning back to him and walk in his direction. "I have a question."

"Ask away," he answers as he gets Nina comfortable in her "bed".

"You were...born here?" I ask. 

Shang Show chuckles. "Funny you should ask that. Is it because my English is too good?" he asks.

"Don't make fun of me! i'm just---" I begin but stop. 

I'm not completely sure if my mind isn't processing it correctly but did he...?

"You...you still speak Han?"

"I make it my business to never forget. Of course, being here in this country where everyone speaks English; it's easier."

He throws a blanket on top of Nina before walking up to me. He pats me on the shoulder.

"Keep practicin' ya shootin'," he says before he heads back into Jacob's home.

I look down at the gun. I should practice.