The Chameleon

Chapter 32

Reaves sat in the back of the cruiser as Allen drove to the library. Hayes was on the phone with the librarian who confirmed a man and woman had come inside with a backpack. They were currently evacuating. The librarian said the woman was still sitting inside, with the backpack on.

Charter had stuck the bomb on Maddox and was going to have it explode with her. Reaves gripped the door handle as Allen turned onto 124th street. They were almost there. Reaves wanted out of the car. He wanted to be there and getting Maddox out.

"Everyone is outside of the library and bomb squad is on their way." Hayes explained.

Reaves looked out the car window and saw the crowd gathering on the opposite side of the street, as patrol officers kept them away from the library. As soon as the car stopped, Reaves jumped out. A hand stopped him before he could get anywhere.

"Reaves, you can't go in there. If that bomb goes off before Bomb Squad gets here, we're all in trouble. You have a daughter and sister you need to think about." Hayes said.

"I am thinking about them. And they'd tell me to go in there and help her." Reaves said before running full sprint towards the entrance doors.

Hayes yelled something and Reaves ignored him. He entered the library and looked for Maddox. Wandering through a few sections he finally saw her. Sitting alone at one of the desks, and appeared to be crying. He slowly walked up to her and saw she was crying.

Reaves looked at the backpack and saw a glow coming from it. He peeked over and saw a timer. One minute four seconds. Oh crap.

"Hey, Maddox." Reaves said.

She carefully turned her head in disbelief. "Get out of here, you have a daughter. She can't loose you!" She yelled at him.

"I know. Which is why she's not." Reaves replied.

Maddox scoffed as he looked at the bomb. Yep, he had no idea what to do. Fifty seconds. They were probably gonna die. He carefully reached into the backpack and pulled the bomb out. He saw a red wire, blue wire, and green wire. Pulling out Maddox's knife he had grabbed from the train tracks he gulped.

"Hey, Maddox?" He asked.

"What?"

"Don't hate me."

He cut the red wire and the timer stopped. Reaves sighed in relief and then sat the knife on the table.

"What did you do?" She asked.

"Nothing, let me help you out." He said.

Reaves carefully undid the snaps and pulled the backpack off. She jumped up and gave him a hug. He held onto the backpack, in shock, and then sat it on the table once she let go.

"Let's go." He said smiling.

As they were walking to the door, Reaves noticed she was limping. He placed his arm around her to help her walk. Then he felt the warm air slam into his back. He was tossed behind the librarian desk and hit one of the book shelves. It collapsed on top of him and he saw Maddox thrown somewhere.

The bomb had exploded. The wire must've only deactivated the digital display, not rid actual timer. He felt the bookshelf squishing him. Fear rattled his system. He desperately tried to get our from under it. It didn't move. The temperature had been raised by the flames, exponentially. Reaves tried to push the book shelf up, but ultimately failed. His efforts were worthless.

There was no way to get out from under it. Then he felt it lifting. A hand reached down and helped him up. As they walked him toward the door, he saw the library was on fire. Someone had found Maddox and was helping her out as well. They stepped outside and Reaves started coughing.

Maddox was doing the same as they were escorted to the ambulance. Reaves sat down and they handed him an oxygen mask. He breathed in so much pure oxygen he soon felt like he was high. It wasn't long before he had to stop breathing it in.

Maddox's leg was being looked at as he was getting high. It was pretty badly bruised. He blinked a few times trying to make sure he wasn't seeing things. His shirt had been scorched from the flames. The coat Maddox was still wearing, was rather unscathed. She was still wearing my coat.

Agent Hall walked over after a moment and smiled at them.

"Nice job, Reaves." He said.

"I tried." Reaves responded seeing double.

"What'doya say we go back to the precinct and get your statements?" He asked them both.

They both nodded and then Reaves smiled at Maddox, which he was seeing two of. Maddox looked at him with concern and then he nearly feel trying to get up from the car hood he was sitting on.

"Okay, let me help you." Allen said.

"I'm fine. I'm-which car?" Reaves asked as he saw two cars.

"There's one car." Maddox responded.

"I knew that."