Mercy [Buzzfeed Unsolved]

4. Where Control Slips from One's Grasp

Everyone was beginning to panic inside of the bar. As Shane glanced around, he could see Chief Bennett, Andrew, and Steven calmly usher people around and tell them what to do. Still, everyone was tense and still fearing for their safety. Shane didn't blame them; he knew he was going to have to dive first into the issue anyways - unlike them.

Sara was staring at him, her previously bright and friendly face suddenly serious, its quick change slightly unnerving. She was nodding over at Ryan, who had already begun to disappear through a crowd of people.

Pushing himself away from the booth, Shane attempted to weave between panicked people, following Ryan to the nearest exit. Shane was so focused that he didn't really notice much of the noise, and wasn't 100% sure if there were alarms going off while all of this was happening. He even accidentally bumped head on into a few people, apologizing briefly to the short mousy guy he had knocked over, who was now adjusting his glasses and seemed rather disoriented about the entire situation.

Just before they slid out the door, Shane saw Bennett catch his eye. Bennett seemed momentarily suspicious, but then just narrowed his eyes before turning away again, instructing something to Steven, who in turn went to talk with Andrew.

The explosives had already stopped a while ago, but both Ryan and Shane had a pretty good idea of which direction they had come from. It didn't take them long to realize that Steven and Andrew were hot on their heels, ready to assist as soon as they reached the scene.

Just as they rounded a corner and were about to go down into a ravine that went through the middle of the city, Andrew was suddenly shouting at everyone, pleading for them to all stop.

"You guys, stop, seriously!" Andrew barked, his hands cupped around his mouth, "Shane, you too! Just for two seconds!" Shane reluctantly slowed down, holding a branch as if he would continue running if not for it holding him back.

"What is it?" Steven asked, bent over his knees to catch his breath.

"There was something explosive over here. What if it's toxic?"

"We gotta take precautions," Ryan piped up.

Shane was becoming impatient: "We have to go now. If there were bombs here, there must have been people around the area... why else would they be set off?" Ryan slid down to where he was, aggressively grabbing his forearm. He tugged it towards himself, jolting Shane so that his face was within close proximity of his.

"Shane, you gotta stay level-headed. You're a policeman, for fuck's sake; don't do anything stupid. There's gotta be something we could do before you go and risk your life by being exposed to any serious toxins. Not only that, but also the possibility of other explosives in the area." He was whispering angrily at him, narrowed eyes boring into Shane's. Shane was glancing everywhere else but him, inhaling exasperatedly. 

"Look, I don't know why you'd care so much, but it's only temporary - plus, I'm supposed to be helping others whatever the cost-"

"Hey, will these help?" Steven placed his hand on Ryan's shoulder, pulling him away from Shane. Shane sighed in frustrated relief, slightly grateful for Steven's intervention so he could continue. Ryan seemed kind of pissed. That being said, both of their faces relaxed slightly when they saw the handkerchiefs Steven was holding up in his free hand. They each took one, and gingerly held it near their faces. "I'll stay back and try to contact Sara and Bennett, but you guys go ahead with Andrew and see if there's anything that needs attending to." He smiled softly, slightly strained.

Ryan huffed: "It helps a little, I guess."

"Let's go then," Andrew said as he trotted right past them, only breaking into a run once Ryan and Shane joined him again.