WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD ✸ Joel Miller

v. Predator

[ CHAPTER FIVE ! ]
predator

"DON'T MOVE!" A VOICE shouts at us and my entire body jumps. We had just been trying to get through this section of woods through the thunderstorm. Just trying to make it out and to the church safely.

There's a man with a face shield attached to his mask. He's a police offer. I can tell by the POLICE label printed on his vest.

We obey, raising our hands in the air. The officer slides his facial shield up and squints his eyes at us, Joel, in particular. "You gotta be shittin' me."

It suddenly seemed apparent that the cop and Joel had known each other. Maybe Tess as well. Joel takes a step forward. "Okay, let's talk this out."

"Turn around." The officer doesn't hesitate. It's clear that he wants Joel punished, more than anything. And I can't help but wonder what he could have possibly done to make this cop so angry. "Get on your fucking knees." Joel and Tess are far too arrogant to listen until a gunshot is fired. I don't hesitate, though. I just get on my knees with my hands up as I pull Hayden down next to me. "Get on your fucking knees!"

I place my clasped hands behind my head and wait for the others to follow. Joel is still trying to negotiate. "Now, hold on--"

"What did I fucking tell you, man?" his eyes are dark and demanding. Ellie looks down at me with a look of what do I do? and I don't know what to motion back. I don't know what's going on and I'm just trying to analyze my surroundings and the dialogue the two men exchange. "I said stay the fuck home." he then points to the ground and practically shouts. "Get on your knees!"

"Get on your knees." I seeth through my gritted teeth.

"Just get on your knees," Tess agrees with a tired gaze as she lowers herself onto her knees. "listen, you let us do this run, we'll split the cards with you."

Now it was clear the two had been involved in some business deal with the cop.

"Oh, will you?"

"Yeah."

"I'm so blessed." his demeanour is completely sarcastic and if I hadn't been so afraid of getting arrested and separated from Hayden, I'd might have laughed at this. "Hands on your head. Eyes forward."

Myself, Hayden and Ellie did so while Joel hesitated. Tess stared directly at the cop, challenging him. "Hands on your head!"

I heard Hayden whimper next to me and when I looked over, her eyes were squeezed shut and her entire body was shaking. All I want to do is grab her and hold her and tell her it'll be okay but I know I can't. I know that any sudden movements could very well get her shot.

The man pulls out his Infection Scanner and a chill goes down my spine at the uncomfortable thought of it against my neck. It was something she'd have to feel every day from working at a hospital, but still, it never failed to be such an uncomfort.

"Oh, really man?" Tess is still trying to negotiate as she watches him put it to her neck.

"Yep. We're doing this by the book."

"Jesus Christ." she groans as it zaps her three times. This still doesn't stop her. "Alright, what about three-quarters?"

"Unauthorized exit." He looked down at the screen of his scanner, which turned green. Not Infected. "They'll hang you for that."

This makes Hayden let out another cry. I clench my jaw. "Can we hurry up, please?"

The officer moves on to Joel, and he's now trying to bargain. "Fine. Everythin' off this run and half off on all the pills."