JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Chapter 26: Pivot

Kelly tip toed her way through the bottom of the stage and out the secret door to the stalls. As the small door opened quietly, the crowd gasped. Chen looked up and saw Kelly emerge quietly. She took a quick look at the audience, then closed the door behind her, taking the rope in her hands.

"Where is this idiot?" the man on the stage complained, shooting looks towards backstage.

Kelly nodded to Chen twice and he responded with nodding once. Then, she placed the pepper spray bottle on the floor and pushed it towards him. She turned and closed the door with the same nod done by her friend. Chen bent down to grab the container, as she moved towards the wall, back glued to the stage. Once she reached the side wall, she crouched down and remained motionless, staring at the boy in the front. Chen placed the container inside of his pocket and quietly straightened his back a bit to get a view of the stage.

"SHUT UP! I SWEAR IF I HEAR ANY MORE SOUNDS, I'M GONNA BLOW SOMEONE'S HEAD OFF!" yelled the man, angrily.

The crowd gasped, some even cried. The man was running out of patience. Chen immediately crouched down again, wide eyed.

"KEVIN? KEV?" the man yelled, turning his neck towards backstage.

From the corner of the stage, a hand grabbed the curtain and lifted it up just a bit. Chen stood up slowly, took a peak at the curtain and nodded his head. The crowd was amazed at the youngsters' moves, hoping they could free them very soon! Some even retrieved their cellphones and recorded the events quietly.

"MMMMEOOOOOWWWWW" sounded a kitty cat, this time much closer than the first time. The curtains slightly moved.

"What the f*ck?" wondered the angry man with the gun.

He turned completely sideways, being drawn by the sound coming from the curtain. He moved his neck, tilting his head forward, trying to get a better look. However, his feet remained glued to the floor, as he didn't take a step.

"MMMMMEEEEEEOOOOWWW" sounded the cat again.

"Stupid cat!" said the man annoyed, shaking his head and returning his attention to the crowd.

The man pointed the weapon at the crowd again, but this time took some steps forward. He stared angrily at the scared audience, as the big group tried to remain calm. Chen stood up slowly, but crouched immediately when he noticed the man was looking straight out. Uh oh! The cat wasn't working!

He opened his eyes wide, then took a look at Kelly. She took deep breaths, knowing they were in trouble. Chen nodded, then took a deep breath.

Upon noticing their panicked communication, some members of the audience began to feel extra stress. With no AC, a man pointing a weapon at them and the desperate looks the teens up front were exchanging, the audience was running out of patience. Hysteria was about to burst when suddenly...

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT, HUH?" the man said loudly, taking slow steps towards the front. He moved his neck side to side, taking a good look at the audience.

GASP

Kelly's mouth dropped, as she noticed the man coming closer to Chen. Some students in the audience did the same. The gasps were making the man impatient, for he felt something was off. His suspicions were obvious now, with his eyes squinting into an angrier frown.

One step. Two steps. Three Steps.

PSSSSTTTT

Kelly whispered to the Chen. When he saw her, she shook her head and gestured with both hands. She moved them both upwards, trying to convince him of dumping the bucket right away. Forget it! Plan is busted! He's coming after you!