JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Chapter 28: Aftermath

The three officers moved in unison, guided by the wall. Teens kept rushing out the building, desperate to get out. Suddenly...

POW POW POW POW

"DAMN KIDS! I'LL KILL EM!" they heard a voice yell.

A sea of screaming kids ran even faster, as the shots were heard from the end of the hall. The officers stood frozen, as they watched the kids' eyes filled with panic.

"GUN! GUN!" the kids yelled.

"Shots fired! Must be from the perp in the theater!" Hanson called over the intense noise.

"We got em, sarge! Go get the kids" Hondo ordered, as he took a step away from the wall. "Street, with me!" Hondo moved so fast, Hanson didn't get a chance to call him back.

Street stopped momentarily, turned to Hanson and whispered "Please, get my kid out. Please!" Hanson nodded. The young officer took a deep breath before joining his leader up front.

Hanson looked at his left wrist, took a deep breath and sprinted towards the small hallway up the stairs.

Slowly, with steady feet, he tip toed his way up the stairs. He could hear sounds, groans and noises coming from upstairs. He had to be quiet.

THUMP THUMP

PUNCH PUNCH

GROAN

"AAAAHHHH" he heard someone groan in pain.

As silently as he could, he moved one foot in front of the other, while holding his breath steadily. No sound. Not even a mice could pick him up. Nothing. Tip. Toe. Tip. Toe. It was all darkness. Narrow. Uncomfortable. Perfect for a hideout...or a crime!

He reached the top. A wall. He moved to the right. Suddenly...

THUMP!

"AHHHH!" a scream in pain. Someone had been hit rather hard. Hanson stopped frozen at his track. He listened.

CLICK CLICK

Hanson could make up that sound in his sleep: the loading of an automatic weapon. Probably a small caliber, a hand gun. He could hear someone gasping of air, the sound of moaning and groans.

Silence. Then, he heard a dominant male voice say "Here! Take it. Lead the way. Anyone you see, you point it at them."

Hanson stuck himself to the wall. Swallowed hard.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

Steps. He could identify them as being light, but not too subtle. A teenager, not an adult. Medium built. Gasping hard for air. Probably scared or hurt, or both. He was running out of time, but...if he or she was armed, a sudden move by Hanson could provoke a shot. He had to be careful. Strategic.

His unit was all about avoiding catastrophes, reducing casualties. He had to be smart. He took a deep breath and listened.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

The steps were getting closer.

"Keep going man. I got em. C'mon, dawg, breath! Breath!" said the male voice again, right before letting out a loud groan.

He's hurt. We got two hurt. Plus the one with the gun. Three. I'm missing the perp. The one in the floor, knocked out probably. According to SWAT, they were missing Rubio and another one. Marv. I remember captain say "Maverick, they call him Marv. Mini version of Hondo. Stubborn, tough kid. Muscular, the biggest and baddest of them all. He's been involved with gangs and drugs, but he's a good kid. Just made bad choices. He's the leader of their group. You wanna get in their good side? You gotta do it through him." Ok. Hanson knew what to do.