YOU

Chapter 5 (act 1 - Jake)

It had been  twelve days since the Leah's stepfather had appeared on the grid. Victor "Fuckface" Hawthorne was a known gang  member of the "Kings of The LA". They were also called KLA. They were responsible for sixty per cent of the city's drug trade. He had gained the callsign "Fuckface" because of his way of killing. He used to stab the victim square between the eyes and shove a cigarette in the stab wound. He'd then shoot the victim in the head. Right now, I had a lock on him. Hayley was at the hotel with Manila, a friend from RHD. I tightened my JPC 2.0 . I checked the ammo in my Springfield Armory Echelon. 'We good to go guys ?' I asked to the team. Alex nodded. Her red hair was open and flying around and some rested on her white hoodie. Ella's hair followed suit. 'We're good to go brother.' He said. He extended his hand for a fist bump. 'Okay then. Isabel and her squad is waiting to back us up if needed. We're expecting this asshole to be armed. He's heavily built.' I said. There was a chime. His photo on the MDTs of the others. 'Let's get this guy and call it a day. Bella wanted to interrogate him. So I said yes. Put the MDTs in the cars and Let's do this.' I added. Everyone was now spreading out on the Santa Monica pier. LAPD SWAT was covering the beach and the LAPD MRT (Maritime Response Unit) was in the waters with RHIBs. Uniformed officers were patrolling about every street. We were at the entrance of the pier. 'Sierra two, this is Ace one - one. You're gonna be needed.' 'Do you need any backup ? A SH 60 can fit shadow squad as well.' The pilot, John said. 'We may need two guys. Get Rose and Cam with ya. And tell Cam to carry his 50 cal.' 'Copy that. See you guys in ten.' John replied. The radio on my shoulder stopped making sounds. That's when I saw the unmistakable "Catherine" tattoo that Hawthorne made for Leah's mom. He started to run. I followed him, sprinting to the best of my abilities. 'We got a rabbit .' I said over the radio. The radio then started constantly squeaking with replies and locations. At last, we reached the end of the pier. 'IT'S OVER ! GET GOWN WITH YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD !' I shouted as I pointed my gun to him. He decided to be a pain in the ass and jump down. I followed suit and fell in the salty water. I could see RHIBs and SWAT operators. I could even hear the shouts. Hawthorne was on the ground and wailing in pain. I immediately turned him to face the sand and pulled a zip tie from the back of my plate carrier. 'Vincent Hawthorne, you're under arrest for gang related crimes, abuse of a minor, evasion of arrest, and assault on an officer. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, will be used in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you ?' I asked as I tightened his zip ties. 'Yes.' He said. 'Take this guy away please.' I said to the SWAT operator. 'YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HER ! YOU JUST WANT TO FUCK HER ! LEAH WILL GET THAT SOMEDAY !' He shouted. I was starting to get violent tendencies to just end his pathetic, egoistic life. I refrained. I sat down on the sands where Leah once cried almost every night and I consoled her. Ella sat besides me. 'You prevented it Jake.' She said. she patted my back in a supportive manner. I could feel the horrors coming back. I had a hard time trying to make myself appear fine. Ella knew exactly what was going through my head. 'Jake, you did good. There isn't much we could do.' She said. 'I know.' I replied. 'We're off the hook. Wanna grab some food ?' She asked. 'I'm not feeling so good right now.' I replied. She patted me once again on the back and left. The pier had started to close. The sun had been under the horizon for a few minutes. I just sat there alone. My brain was full of thoughts about Leah and Hayley. I couldn't manage to see them suffer. Hayley had me in love with her. Leah had become family. About an hour passed. The waves crashed against the shore. There were occasionally sounds of cars. My eyes had developed a severe case of about to cry. I remembered every scar on Leah's skin as if they were my own. A total of one hundred and seventeen scars. A fall from the initial one hundred and thirty two. Each scar was a reminder of me failing to take her out before extensive damage was done. I had failed her once. I wasn't gonna let it happen another time. I wasn't gonna let Leah or Hayley get hurt by anyone.