I Choose You

Chapter Forty Three - You're Under Arrest!

[Goals for the chapter: READS - 1210]

"You! Who was in charge of this?" Black Mask screamed, bending to pick a diaper off the floor and wave it in the air, then slamming it into the overflowing garbage. Gertrude slowly raised her hand as Black Mask stalked towards her, eyes narrowing down. She pushed herself back in her chair, eyes full of fright. The sound of a slap echoed throughout the room.

Black Mask backed up, breathing heavily. Gertrude put her hand to her face, cupping her cheek. "Why are no babies eating?" He yelled, then peered over the edge of Izzy's crib. "Stop crying!" he yelled at her then covering her with a blanket, tucking it in at her sides, any way but gently. I looked towards the Bay Window, hoping for anyone and anything to be there, ready to jump in and stop Black Mask before he hurt anyone else, but no one was there. I looked around the room nervously as everyone pushed themselves back into a wall or chair, trying their best to avoid the blow of it all. "Are you in charge of this?" he asked, grabbing Jake by the collar. Jake shook his head quickly, gulping visibly. "Who is?" he asked again, Jake's feet being pulled into the air. He shook his head again, looking at me over the man's shoulder. Black Mask yelled, then threw Jake across the room, causing him to slam into a wall, knocking picture frames of babies dancing and eating off the wall.

The window creaked and I turned, relieved to see the tip of a gun pointing in his direction. A hand reached up and pushed the window up but it didn't move. It tried again. I watched out of the corner of my eye, still keeping eyes on Black Mask as he continued tearing apartv the Nursery more than it already was torn apart from being off schedule. I strained my eyes to look without looking, eyeing the window. It was lock. I backed up a few steps, slwolym, and reached back, groping for the lock. Foudn it. I turned it slowly, knowing it would squeak, as the suction on the window popped. I stepped forward again and nodded to Gertrude, her hand still cupping her cheek. The hand reached up again and the window flew open. "You're under arrest!"

John jumped through the window, gun extended out in front of him. Others people whom I didn't know followed, guns at their sides. They all had bulky vests, probably bullet proof and heavy duty boots. I didn't know how they moved. Everyone in the room raised their hands, looking into John's eyes. "You are in violation of the law," he began, walking slowly towards Black Mask. "Anything you do or say will and can be used against you. Keep your hands up. You are being charged for murder, captivation peoples, abuse and slavery." John clicked his gun into his belt as we all watched in awe. He frisked Black Mask, feeling and entering all of his pockets. "Someone take this thing off his head," he said, pointing towards the mask as he pulled on ehand behind his back and clicked a hand cuff around it. He pulled the other and followed suit, locking it in place. Another man walked over and grabbed th hem of the mask, nodding at John. He nodded back. My hands shook as he peeled the mask up and over his face, revealing his identity. He threw the mask to the floor and backed away, hands up in the air. I had no idea who he was.

"Are you in charge of this run-up?" John asked, walking out of the door.

"No," he said. "I don't know who is, honest. I just work here." He shook his head, talking as he fingers moved around behind him.

"Find everyone else in this building. If they're good and been held captive, kepp them in here. Guys, good work to all of you. Anyone else, arrest them and um, just take 'em with you. I'll be back to help after i put him in the van. Steve, stay in here with the captives. They're gonna need help." Everyone nodded as John walked out wth the former Black Mask, his head held in shame.

Everyone left the room, guns at tow, except who I thought was Steve. I ran over to the crib and lifted up Izzy, who was now crying blood-curtling screams. "Shh, baby, shh," I said softly, rocking her back and forth. I popped a pacifier into her mouth. She calmed down, blinking her little red eyes at me. I kissed the top of her head as Gertrude got up and began to pick diapers off the floor. All routines started to fall into place againas Steve watched on, eyes wide as he saw us recover quickly from the abuse we recieved. I looked ovr to the wall where picture hooks hung bare, and saw Jake laying on the floor, eyes droppy. I walked over to him and grabbed his wrist, feeling his pulse. It was prevelent. "You okay?" I asked, watching him as his hand hung limping over his shoulder. He shook it slighty. "Okay," I said, then turned, still holding Izzy close. "Steve?" I said, and cleared my thoat. He turned.

"Yup?" he asked, turning hid attention awayv from Gertrude, who was still picking up diapers. I pointed towards a dozing Jake. "Oh, my." he said, and rushed over to us.

"He said he's not okay," I said, rocking Izzy a bit.

"Okay, thanks," he said as more people were pushed into the room, drt smeared acroiss theit hands and faces, clothes ripped. Maybe it was worse out there than here, in the nursery. Everyone who walked in looked dazed and fightened, yet relieved at the same time. Where there wasn't a thick coating of dirt, there was red skin. They must've been in the field chopping the bricks. I looked over towards where Steve and Jake were, Jake still propped up against the wall. I looked back towards everyone I had come to know so well, and then towards everyone who was dirty, sunburnt and scared. This was no way to live. This was the past, yet, we were still living in it. All because of Phillip.

[A/N: No, this is not the end. Almost, though.

-->Feedback?<--

++What do you think will happen next?++]