Chapter 13: A Brush with Death
The year 2000 took a terrifying turn for Holmes. Three days after the release of "Who is Grimm?" and its meteoric rise on the charts, Grimm, consumed by rage and humiliation, allegedly ordered his gang associates to eliminate Holmes.
It was late in the evening. Holmes was on his way home from a late-night recording session with Teddy. As his car approached a dimly lit intersection, another vehicle suddenly pulled alongside him, blocking his path.
Before he could react, masked figures emerged from the vehicle, unleashing a hail of gunfire. Bullets riddled Holmes's car, shattering the windows and piercing the metal frame.
Miraculously, Holmes managed to duck and cover, avoiding the direct impact of the bullets. The attackers fired approximately ten shots before speeding away into the night.
Shaken but alive, Holmes immediately called the police and reported the incident. The scene was swarming with law enforcement officials within minutes, as they secured the area and began their investigation.
The news of the attempted assassination spread like wildfire, dominating headlines and social media feeds. Fans, critics, and fellow artists expressed their shock and outrage, condemning the violence and offering their support for Holmes.
"This is a senseless act of violence," Alicia said, her voice trembling with fear. "I can't believe someone would try to hurt my son. I'm grateful that he's still alive."
Teddy, equally distraught, vowed to protect Holmes at all costs. "I won't let anything happen to him," he said, "We're in this together, and we'll get through this."
Public speculation immediately pointed towards Grimm as the prime suspect. Many believed that Grimm's anger and frustration over being humiliated in "Who is Grimm?" had driven him to orchestrate the attack.
In the wake of the attempted assassination, Holmes realized the need to protect himself. He decided to acquire a firearm for self-defense, undergoing the necessary background checks and obtaining a concealed carry permit.
He took it upon himself to learn how to properly use a gun, knowing he was in a dangerous situation. He sought the guidance of a professional firearms instructor, eager to master the art of marksmanship.
To his surprise, Holmes discovered that he possessed an extraordinary talent for shooting. The merging of souls, which had previously enhanced his musical abilities, now seemed to extend to other areas of his life, including his physical skills.
During his first three-hour training session, Holmes displayed an uncanny ability to handle firearms with precision and accuracy. He quickly mastered the fundamentals of stance, grip, sight alignment, and trigger control.
His instructor was amazed by his progress. "I've never seen anything like it," the instructor said, "You've got a natural talent for this. You could become a top marksman with practice."
Holmes dedicated himself to honing his skills, spending hours at the shooting range, perfecting his aim and improving his reflexes. He found that the focus and discipline required for marksmanship helped him to clear his mind and channel his energy.Within a few days, Holmes had transformed into a skilled marksman, capable of hitting targets with remarkable accuracy and speed. He felt more confident and secure, knowing that he could defend himself if necessary..