Unexpected 2: Junior S.W.A.T.

Chapter 10: Please, don't jump!

As people came running from all sides, the man found himself trapped. The officers lined up in front of him, as they created no exit way. Some kids that had left in a hurry had stayed just outside the fence of the court. Police marked a limit, about 30 ft from the scene.

Unfortunately, man's grasp on the girl became stronger as stronger.  The blade of the knife was just inches from the child's neck. The little girl was so petrified, she only cried and sobbed. As Hicks watched from behind the fence, Rocker and Hondo's squads lined up the entry side of the court, face to face with the robber.

"DROP your weapons! I aint playin officers!" the man warned as he shook the child in his arms and moved the blade even closer. He managed to hold on to the girl, while keeping a steady balance.

"Do you have a shot, Fowler?" Hicks called. He had instructed her to post up in the highest point closest to the site.

"Negative, sir. Too many trees blocking my sight." Officer Fowler responded frustrated that three big Black Maple trees that surrounded the far side of the court made it impossible to get a clean shot. She had gone up to the roof of the fast food joint just across the street.

"Sir, I may have a shot but there are too many civilians moving!" interrupted Officer Cabrera, who hid behind one of the trunks of the big trees, about 25 ft from the court.

"NO! Hold fire! We already have enough casualties as it is!" Hicks answered frustrated at his current the predicament. He could instruct both officers to fire, but he would risk many lives. The park was so full, there people still running away from the scene, and many others lined up outside the court fence and behind police limits.

Hondo, Deacon and Luca were shoulder to shoulder as the first line of defense, weapons straight at the man. The rest of the squads lined behind and around them, forming a semi circle, blocking the exit. About 15 officers stood outside the fenced court, continuing the semi circle that was formed inside. Three patrols had established the perimeter, and were still evacuating the area. More than 80 people had gathered just outside police limits, as they stared at the scene in the court. Nobody noticed Marv and his squad actually sneaked in the police limit and were standing just outside of the fence towards the far side of the court, a couple of feet away from the dump site.

As Hondo thought of a good way to start negotiations, the man moved slowly from the middle of the court away to the back side.

"Don't let him get away, Hondo!" called Hicks. He figure the man would try to sneak in between the debris that was blocking the opposite exit. He made a subtle signal, for two of Rocker's team to move to that side of the court.

As they moved, the man yelled. "STOP! Stop moving or I will cut her!" he warned as he braised the knife on the girl's jeans. Everybody gasped, as the girl shrieked. Fortunately, the man didn't press the blade, so the knife actually didn't go through the jeans, no sign of blood was seen.

"Hey! Hey!" Hondo called, making the man stop and gripped the child harder "This is LAPD, you are completely surrounded. Just put the girl down and I will promise you, no one will get hurt!"

"Tell your men to stand down or I'll slice her open just like the security guard at the bank!" yelled the man furiously. As he was pronouncing the last word, a figure appeared, raising from behind the metal board of the hoop in the far side of the court, right behind the assailant. 

The entire crowd took a breath, as Street's eyes almost popped open. He panicked as he saw Rubio sling both legs to the front of the board, one after the other, very carefully, and situate himself in the rim. The boy moved slowly, but with full concentration, biting his lower lip at times, and sticking his tongue to the side others.

"What the hell?" Hicks gasped, as he took off his glasses to get a better look.

Street took a glance at Chris, who let out a "Oh no!" when she saw another figure come up from behind the bushes, just behind the pole. It was Leyla, staring straight at the perpetrator. She was moving almost crouching, as she slowly made her way to the front of her hide out.

The crowd began to buss, as the man began to feel uneasy. He started to move his head to the officers, crowd, and people around him. He was startled by the gaze of more than 60 eyes who showed uneasiness and fear. 

"Hey!" Street called from the second line. "Hey!" he repeated, as the man turned to him. "Okay, I will put my weapon down but you know there's no escaping."

"SHUT UP!" the desperate man interrupted, yelling at Street. Chris had taken a couple of steps forward as well. "HEY!" - the man yelled at her provoking her to stop at her tracks -"STOP or I will kill her!"

The two teenagers had now locked eyes and were exchanging signals. Leyla signaled to the left, while Rubio nodded at her right. He was crouched on top of the rim, left hand on the metal, right hand up for balance. The crowd became uneasy, as some gasped and murmured.

'Please, don't jump!' Street pleaded under his breath

'Leyla, no!' Chris repeated between gasps of air

"What the hell's going on?"- he turned to the crowd- "Shut up!" the man shouted to the audience. As he was about to attempt a second turn, Chris shouted.

"OK, RED." she began placing her gun back in its pouch, in her right leg. "What do you want?" the man stopped and returned his gaze to her. However, he was positioned diagonally, having moved his right leg back. It would just be a matter of seconds before he spotted the 'Spider kid' and his accomplice.

Weird thing is that both kids were not panicked at all. They seem to be waiting for the perfect moment. It was remarkable how both were crouched in position, similar to a real life SWAT officer would. Neither had guns for obvious reasons, but if they had, they would've been the best option of a direct take down. Now though, they meant another obstacle for the officers to take down the man without risking more lives. 

The man took a step back, and then another, as he surveyed the scene. He stared at all of the officers in front of him and to the audience that had gathered behind them, everyone assuming he was thinking of his request.

"Um..."he started to say as he took yet another step back, placing his right leg in the free throw line. "I-"

Leyla grabbed a piece of rock and threw it to the other side of the pole. The man jumped out of his skin, startled, and quickly turned around, losing his grip on the little girl. Leyla came running in full speed and snatched the girl, as Rubio took a plunge towards the criminal. He landed full force on top of the man, knocking the knife out of his hand in the process. Screams and gasps were heard from both civilian and police crowds. Street, Hondo and most of the officers ran towards the two males, as Chris and Cabrera went to make sure the girls were ok. 

"Get your hands up!" "On your back" "Place your hands behind your back" yelled all officers a the same time, as they surrounded the criminal. Street managed to grabbed the young boy and swing his body behind his, placing him between his own body and the man on the ground. "Stand back! Get behind me, Rubio!" he said between breaths

A sighed of relief was heard from everyone, as the crowd followed with a loud cheer and multiple applause. The officers gathered the suspect in the floor and handcuffed him. The man was steaming.

"I'M GONNA GET YOU, KID!" he yelled as the officers lifted him off the ground.