Just Jump

6

“Okay, one at a t-” Ray’s interrupted by Darcie. The toddler shoves Ray out into the hall. 

“Go!” She whisper-shouts. “They’re coming!”

Ray glares at her but scoops her up and we all run – actually, it’s more like skedaddle – through the Precinct.

We’ve just reached the door when an alarm blares out.

“Shi-itake mushrooms,” Ray catches himself as to not cuss in front of a three-year-old. “We’re done for. This was a terrible idea. They’re gonna find us, and kill us, and…”

I reach out and turn the door knob. “Hey, Ray?”

“Hm?” 

“It’s not exactly locked,” I inform him.

“What do you mean?” He peers at the keyhole.

“J Ward! Stop now and receive no chastisement!” 

The five of us turn around to see a boy in his early twenties holding a gun with shaky hands. “I’m warning you,” he says, “don’t leave this place.”

It’s Sheila who challenges him. “Why?” She shouts over the alarm.

He points the gun at her and I instinctively jump in front. “No way, man, you’re crazy,” I yell.

His glazed eyes widen. “Aren’t we all?” 

“Don’t shoot,” Paul begs. He walks up to him and puts two fingers over the barrel. “I swear to God, Brent, don’t.”

Brent looks at Paul. “What happened?” He asks. “What the hell happened, Paul?”

Paul holds up his other hand. “Give it to me,” he demands.

“Give what to you?”

“Don’t play dumb, Brent. Give it to me,” he says through a clenched jaw.

“I’ll give it to you,” Brent states, “as long as you let me shoot.”

“Give it to me first,” Paul says.

“How do I know you won’t pull away?”

“You don't. You're just going to have to trust me.”

They stand there glaring at each other until Brent finally reaches into the pocket of his pants and fits something in Paul’s hand. 

 Sheila leans over and whispers in my ear. “If he shoots, that gun explodes.”

 “And if that gun explodes, then we have a doorway,” I shoot back.

 The Analyst holding the gun shakes his head. “You’re crazy,” he says.

 “Aren’t we all?” Paul replies.