"Thank you, officer!"
"It's no big deal."
I smiled, happy to help a small kid save his cat that's been stuck on a tree.
With a wholesome feeling in my chest, I jumped on my bike, and began patrolling the street once more.
I was right to choose this path of being a policeman. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of helping people. I was not athletic, smart, or brave, but I was always eager to help the ones in need. The path I took to get here was tough, but it was worth it.
"Why, officer!"
"Yes, Ma'am?"
Suddenly, a woman in a small cigarette shop called out to me.
"You really are a diligent one, aren't you? You're always patrolling the streets. Since you're always keeping our town safe, I'll give this to you for free."
"Thank you, but I don't smoke."
What she tried to give me was a whole pack of cigarette.
"Even if I do, we're not allowed to have them on duty."
"That's too bad. Then what about these? The kids like them."
"You sell to kids too, Ma'am?"
"Just these candies and toys."
I decided to accept the candies. I opened one of them, while I kept the others in my breast pocket. As it was the first hard candy I've tasted in a while, it took me by surprised and almost swallow it whole.
"Thank you, Ma'am. It's sweet."
"Right? It's foreign."
"I get why the kids would like them. Now only sell these and your toys to them, not the cigarettes."
"I know, I know. You can get back on your patrol. Catch some baddies now, will you?"
"Will do."
Even more motivated to do my work, I continue to pedal my bike.
"Fufu," I let out a laugh. "Like there will be one of those in this town," I said.
This town I'm currently stationed is one of the safest places in the country. Aside from some petty theft and drunk fights, no vicious crime had acurred here in several years. No murders, no kidnappings, and no armed robberies. And from the reports I've read from the station, there likely won't be any of those again in the near future.
The era of violent crimes is over.
"But I might be thinking about it too much. There are still thieves and perverts everywhere. They're baddies I need to catch too."
But as I'm not really confident or brave, I would prefer to not cross any of them.
Hmph. Such a policeman I am...
"H-Help! Anybody!"
"Call the police!"
Suddenly, I heard a commotion in a nearby convenient store. I quickly ride my bike to get there, passing by the crowd that gathered. Everywhere I look, the faces of the people look pale.
Knowing something was wrong, my heart started to beat rapidly.
"What's wrong!?" I asked the first person I saw outside the store.
"The police? Thank goodness you're here!"
"I want you to calm down and tell me what's going on."
"Y-Yes! There's a crazy man inside the store! He has a knife!"
"What!?"
I can feel my heart beating faster.
"The police are here!"
"Now everything's going to be okay!"
The other civilians saw me and celebrated.
"Everyone! I want you to evacuate the area! The police will deal with this matter!" I ordered the crowd.
Afterwards, I immediately called for backup. A weapon is involved, so it wouldn't be smart for me to handle it alone. A response came, also giving me instructions.
"Has anyone been injured?"
"I don't think so, but I think he's taken a hostage. The store clerk."
"Tch," I clicked my tongue.
Now I know I definitely won't be able to handle this alone.
Even still, I need to see the situation myself.
"Like I said! Everyone, please evacuate!" I ordered once again, seeing how the people still remained to spectate.
Finally, I get off my bike to approach the store, but at the same time...
"You sure came quick! I was about to leave her alone, but you know I can't do that now!"
A large man, about 250 pounds and 180 centimeters, exited the store. On his hand was a kitchen knife and on his arm was the neck of a frail woman. On the woman's mouth was a piece of cloth, preventing her from saying anything.
I pulled out my taser gun immediately.
"Let her go!" I shouted.
Seeing me pull out my weapon, the man hugged the woman's body and pointed his knife on her throat. He put it so close on her neck, that it drew blood.
"Shoot me and I'll cut her neck!"
I grew pale.
Even if I was able to properly aim for him and shoot him with my taser gun, his body would stiffen and he might accidentally burry the knife's edge in the woman's throat. No, that's what would certainly happen. I can't allow that.
"What do you want?" I asked.
What I need to do now is buy time. I already called for backup. They'll be here soon.
"I want you to leave me alone," he sternly said.
"I can't do that."
"I'll let her go if you let me go."
"I need to ensure her safety. Let go of her first, and then I'll let you walk off easy."
"As if I'll believe that. You'll just shoot me as soon as she's out."
This is a horrible stalemate...
Please get here quickly...
I can only pray for my fellow policemen to arrive.
A coward like me won't be able to handle this kind of situation as best as they can.
"I'll let go of my weapon, you'll let go of your knife," I started again.
"You'll let go of your weapon, I'll let go of her neck."
"No deal."
"Tch!"
No matter what, I have to keep the two of us on even field.
"Fine! You win! I'll give up on the knife!" the man suddenly shouted.
"Huh?" I let out a stupid sound.
"What are you surprised about? Isn't that what you want?"
What is he scheming?
I kept my weapon pointed at him, even more vigilant now than ever.
"Hey, hey! Do you think I'm bluffing? There!"
Just like that, the man threw the knife on the floor.
I can't believe it.
"You believe me now? Now let go of that gun!" he demanded.
"Fine! And then you let her go!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, young man!"
He spat and then grabbed hold tight of the woman's neck. He's suddenly hiding behind her body, not allowing me a proper aim at him. He instantly rendered my taser gun useless.
"I can still break her neck like this."
Do I have no other choice?
Three things could happen if I let go of my weapon now.
First, he would just break her neck anyway. Second, he would let her go and try to run away. Third, he would break her neck or let her go, and then he would come to resist and physically fight me. The third is the most unlikely, but it's a possibility still.
While I'm still contemplating, the sound of sirens echoed nearby.
They're here...
"Your friends will come soon. I don't have any time! So, I'll count into three, and then I'll break her fucking neck!" he then started counting, "One! Two!"
"Okay! Now, for the last time, let go of her," I said as I raised up my hands and put back my taser gun in its place.
"Good. And you got it. So you better catch her."
Huh? He wouldn't ask me to throw my taser away? He's not even asking me to disarm my real gun, which I'm certain he had noticed in my belt?
"I'll throw her at you, and then I'll take the time you catch her to escape," he said, as if he just read my thoughts.
In other words, he thinks I would have no chance to do anything else while I catch her.
That's still fine. My priority is to rescue her and get her to safety. Apprehending the man can come later.
"Get ready!"
Just like that, he violently pushed the woman at me. I rushed to catch her body. She's heavier than I thought, so I stumbled on my feet and almost fall.
Still, I kept my eyes on the man. I need to get a proper description of him for my inevitable report, and more importantly, I need to make sure the threat of him is gone. I watched him until he's able to escape. Only then, I let go a sigh of relief.
"He did it!"
"Amazing!"
Suddenly, I heard a cheering from behind me. It seems the people didn't evacuate at all. In fact, there's even more of them now than before.
Ignoring them, I untied the piece of cloth on the woman's mouth.
"You're heavier than I thought," I mused.
"Thank you so much!" she said with teary eyes.
I was almost taken by her sweet smile. If not the tense situation just now, I might have fallen in love with her. And then I noticed the ring on her hand.
Of course, she was married...
I can already see her husband glaring at me, ready to strike me down.
Or not...
"What!?"
The same man who I thought had escaped suddenly appeared in the corner of my eye. In his hand was the same knife he had before. And his eyes was dangerously bloodshot.
"Why!?" I screamed.
I tried to take out my real gun right away, but I hesitated for only a second, and I was too late.
This guy! He's not even aiming for me!
For some reason, he was aiming for the same woman he could have freely struck before.
In my mind, I keep repeating the question: why?
Having no other choice, I decided to push away the woman and tackle the man head on.
"I knew you would do that, you bastard."
"Why!?"
"You know, I really thought of escaping just now, but then I saw a hero. Everyone was cheering for you. I was jealous."
"Only for that...?"
"I realized, all your life, you must've been a winner. Well, all my life, I've always been the loser. I thought I could change the dynamic now."
"You could've escaped!"
"And be caught anyway!"
"You didn't have to kill!"
"It doesn't matter anyway..."
With those words, the man was tackled by my backup policemen who had finally arrived.
But it's too late, there's already a deep hole in my chest.