CHAPTER 1: THE JANITOR OF LANE 12
PUT THE BROOM DOWN AND PROVE IT
The annual shooting competition was packed with reporters, sponsors, and spectators.
At Lane 12, three-time champion Rachel Hayes soaked in the attention while cameras followed her every shot.
Meanwhile, Elena quietly swept spent brass from the concrete floor.
To everyone there, she was just a janitor.
Invisible.
Forgettable.
Rachel hated being ignored.
So she kicked Elena’s broom across the range and mocked her in front of the crowd.
The spectators laughed.
Elena simply picked up the broom and continued working.
That only irritated Rachel more.
Hours later, standing before reporters, Rachel decided to turn Elena into entertainment.
She tossed her pistol toward the janitor.
Elena caught it instantly.
Too smoothly.
Too naturally.
A strange silence spread through the crowd.
Rachel pointed toward a distant target.
“Hit the center and I'll give you fifty bucks.”
The spectators laughed.
Phones came out.
Everyone expected humiliation.
But as Elena stepped toward the firing line, her posture changed.
The laughter faded.
An older spectator frowned.
May you like
Then quietly asked:
“Why does she look like she’s done this before?”
