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~~Holiday Special (Day 2/7, Page 6/6)~~
“Then it looks like you’ll be traveling for several days more!” the old man yelled. “And I don’t give a damn who you are!”

Lynnette’s eye throbbed. It tended to do that at the most inconvenient times. “Sir,” she tried, quieter this time in hopes of luring him closer to the door, “I very much need to use a phone. I’d be quite appreciative of any help you could--”

There came a hastened rustle from inside the house, and a moment later, the door swung open. The balding old man was pointing a shotgun at her. “Young lady, in what capacity have I failed to make myself clear?”

She eyed the double-barrel, not concerned in the slightest. “Sir, you don’t want to do that.”

He barked a laugh. “Oh, don’t I?”

“Please put the gun down, sir.”

“Can’t you tell when a man wants to be left in peace?! You think I live out here because I like visitors?! How’d you find me, anyway?! Are you from the government?! After all these years, now you decide to take me away?! Is that it?!”

“Sir--”

“You dogs’ll never take me alive! I ain’t goin’ back to prison, so just get on out of here before I do something dramatic! I’m unstable, ya hear?! I’m crazy!”

“Yes, I can see that. But I really do need to use your phone.”

“Woman! Are you fuckin’ deaf?! I will rip you in half with this here buckshot!”

“Sir, you can try, but that’s not gonna work out well for you. Trust me.”

“That a threat?! You threatenin’ me now?!”

Lynnette sighed. “Well, if you’re gonna shoot me, then allow me to move over here so you don’t accidentally kill yourself.” And as she took a step to the right, the man pulled the trigger.

From no more than a meter away, she took the shot square in the chest. And instead of tearing into her, it met a sudden purple shadow and bounced right off, leaving Lynnette entirely unharmed.