The Troublesome Tale of Robin Tyler

..::< Caught - 1 >::..

We trudged down the sidewalk with an awkward tension sitting in the small space between us. June's morning breeze slid through my dark auburn hair, carrying a smoky smell with it. I didn't appreciate the lack of conversation between us 'friends', so I decided to break the silence.

"So, this has been a fun Saturday morning. By the way guys, were three pairs of handcuffs really necessary?" I scoffed as my company led me down the street. "You think little seventeen year old me is that dangerous?" After neither of the two men engaged in my humor.

"Would you stop trying to play innocent and keep your mouth shut, Robin?" The officer to my right tightened his grip on my arm, which didn't phase me as much as his words did. I was almost offended that a guy who looked nearly my age thought he could talk to me like that just cause he wore a blue uniform. Even with the blonde stubble on his defined jawline, the poor "man" had such a baby face. I hardly believed anyone could take a threat from him seriously. I took a second to focus on the shiny nametag on the young man's chest-

Liam Warren. Noted.

One more turn around a corner and we finally arrived at the gentlemen's squad car. I chuckled at how far away they had actually parked. They probably assumed I'd bolt if I had seen them pulling up any closer to the Primrock City Park.

Unfortunately for the two police officers walking around were pretty conspicuous enough, giving me a chance to escape.

Unfortunately for me- I still got caught.

Jerrod, the town's sheriff and the man to my left, let go of my arm so that he could unlock the vehicle. I noticed that he was the one who had been holding onto my red plaid backpack. For his sake, he'd better take care of it.

I took this moment to turn to the younger officer still holding onto my right limb, "If your grip cuts the circulation to my arm and makes it fall off, I promise you I will pick it up and slap you with it."

Though he tried his hardest to hold a firm scowl, I noticed the hint of a smile twitch at the corner of his lips. That was enough for me to feel accomplished.

"Just get in the damn car," He said in annoyance, handing me back to Jarrod. The back door was opened wide with an unwelcome invitation. The young officer walked around to the passenger seat, and Jerrod pushed me in, harshly closing the door before I was even settled in.

Jerrod made his way to the back of the car, and I strained to follow his path through the back window. He opened the trunk, tossing my bag in the most un-caring way I had ever seen, into the back. My body immediately tensed and face grimaced. How could a respected man of the law have such little care for my belongings?

"Careful with my stuff, Grandpa! I'll gladly take one of your paychecks to replace anything if I find even one scratch on it!"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remember some common sense-- maybe threatening an officer isn't the smartest thing to do when I'm already in a mess like this.

Sighing, I laid my head against the cold window. When the two men entered the vehicle, they didn't speak another word to me or each other. Even after all doors were closed, the smell of smoke still lingered in my nose. Keys jingled from Jerrod's hands as he turned them into the ignition. The car awakened with a rumble and after a moment of idling, Jerrod put it into gear and drove away from the scene of the crime.

Scratch that. Scene of my crime. Oops.

Only a few minutes after driving away did my foot begin to tap impatiently on the floorboard. Boredom quickly took over me while I was trapped in the Po-Po tin can. I loomed closer to the gated window that separated me from my not-so-friendly friends.