Hostage: A Chenford Crisis

I hear the screeching of tires as backup finally arrives. SWAT is here. Finally.

But it's too late for any of us to breathe easy. The robbers are already entrenched, positioned near the front of the bank with their weapons drawn, waiting. They're smart. More dangerous than I gave them credit for.

I don't waste time. I speak into the comms, voice low and controlled. "SWAT, I need eyes on the back. Make sure they don't escape."

The SWAT commander responds with a sharp tone. "Copy that. We're covering you. Just hold tight."

I don't have time for small talk. The situation is spiraling fast, and I can feel the pressure building up. I peek over the edge of my cover, scanning the room. The robbers are pacing, too focused on the front exit to notice anything behind them. It's a small window of opportunity, but I can't act until the plan is solid.

I glance back at Lucy, still sprawled on the floor, blood seeping from the wound on her head. Every second I waste, it feels like another chance slipping through my fingers. But I'm not going to rush in without a damn good reason. I know what happens when I do that.

"Stay put," I mutter under my breath. "I'll get to you."

The tension is unbearable, and I'm holding my position. I know backup's coming, but I can't let myself get distracted. Not with her still down.

But something feels off. The silence in the bank is too thick, like something's about to snap. Then I hear it—footsteps, but not from our team. These are heavier, more deliberate. More robbers, moving quickly toward the entrance.

They're coming, and I'm not about to wait for them to find us.

I check my gun, making sure everything's locked and loaded. My instincts are screaming at me to move, to do something, but I hold back. It's not about speed. It's about precision.

And then, just as I'm about to radio in for another tactical move, the door bursts open. A tall, dark figure enters. The robbers freeze.

For a split second, it's too quiet. Then I hear his voice, cold and commanding. He lifts his weapon with no hesitation.

"I'm in charge now."

My blood runs cold, and I can't ignore it. This is a new level of danger—something more than what we prepared for. I've dealt with criminals, but this feels different. Like we're being played.

I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to charge in. It's not a mistake I'm going to make again.

"Stay focused," I tell myself. But I know we're running out of time. And Lucy's still down.

Without thinking, I edge closer to the entrance, my heart pounding in my chest. Backup's here, but the threat has escalated. The second this guy steps in, everything changes. And I can't let them think they have the upper hand.

But before I can make a move, another shot rings out.

Everything stops.

The figure doesn't hesitate. He fires, and one of the robbers falls. I'm still a few yards away, but my hand is already on my gun.

"Get to cover!" I shout at SWAT, voice as hard as steel. I'm not waiting for anyone's orders anymore. It's time to finish this.

But as I make my move, I hear it—a faint sound. A noise I didn't want to hear. The robbers are closing in on Lucy.

And that's when everything I've been holding back shatters.