The quiet that befell was eerily appropriate, because Nole was speechless. His hands were on the unconscious Enforcer’s holster, but they were no longer moving. The Enforcer further down the alleyway was about ten yards away from them. His sculpted brown hair gave him a serious look. He’s no rookie. The expression he held was intimidating as he gripped the gun with both hands, his beady eyes piercing Nole.

Despite the direct threat before him, Nole removed his eyes from the Enforcer and glimpsed at Olivia. She was standing, facing away from the new Enforcer. From where he was kneeling, Nole didn’t think she was scared. Her expression was neutral – no tears, not even a frown to indicate being afraid. The only thing that gave away her fear were her trembling hands lifted in midair. He desperately wanted to communicate with her, but was too nervous to speak. Her eyes were shut tight, as if there was a monster she didn’t want to see.

I didn’t even hear him, Nole thought. He didn’t introduce himself, or tell us to ‘freeze’ or anything. Removing his gaze from Olivia, he returned his stare to the Enforcer. She must have heard the click of the gun from behind her. I’d heard it, but I thought I’d done it through my own fumbling with the holster. I should have known, he chastised himself. I did know – the minute I realized Sgt. Bellamy was alone. Why hadn’t I spoken up? He bit his lip in anger. This is my fault.

Analyzing the scene, there was no way out. They were deep into the alleyway, so a quick getaway was improbable given the distance they’d have to run. There also wasn’t any potential cover for bullets. There weren’t any doors or dumpsters nearby, and they hadn’t passed any on their way there. This is bad.

Clenching his hands, Nole felt a lump form in his throat as every thought dismissed any possible escape plan. In that instant, his fingertips brushed against the cold metal of the downed Enforcer’s gun. He held his breath when the idea crossed his mind. Not only was he completely inept with weapons, but he also hated guns. Since being shot last year, he’d avoided the weapon completely, even going as far as steering clear of the top three gangs.

The weapon felt foreign in his loose grip. His fingers were clumsily conspicuous, and the Enforcer’s weapon made another clicking noise.

“Don’t move!” he ordered, his deep voice echoing down the alley several times. Olivia peeked her eyes open and watched Nole incredulously. Her mouth opened and it looked like she was sighing, but he could have sworn she mouthed the word “run” to him. Either way, he paid her no mind and focused on the now vocal Enforcer.

If I shoot him, I could save us both. This guy is prepared to kill me if I don’t do something. “Put your hands where I can see them!” he yelled.

Nole hesitated. This was the point where he would have to decide whether or not to take the gun. This was the moment he was considering shooting the Enforcer. “Do it now!” The Enforcer’s shouts were getting louder.

Instinctively, Nole lifted his hands, abandoning the gun, and possibly their only hope of escaping. I’m no murderer, he confirmed to himself. I didn’t kill Murphy, and I’m not killing this guy. He obligingly obeyed each command the Enforcer gave him, which included getting on his feet and removing his hood. After a few seconds of inspection, the man confirmed Nole’s identity. Once he verified his suspicion, he asked if the other officer, Sgt. Bellamy, was dead.

“We were defending ourselves,” Nole informed him, choosing his words cautiously. “He’s unconscious, but still alive.” Although she didn’t speak, Olivia’s face was curious about Nole’s answer. Perhaps she was expecting him to blame her completely in front of the Enforcer. After all, she had acted alone during the assault.

Being stationed quite a distance from his partner, the Enforcer had no choice but to take Nole’s words at face value. Either that or he didn’t want to believe Sgt. Bellamy was dead.

“You’re Nole Vale, right? That sketch in the paper really did you justice. Put your hands on your head and slowly make your way toward me,” he commanded in a stern tone. Even though he was no longer raising his voice, his manner of speaking was still dominating the tense setting.

He’d half expected Olivia to burst into some heroic series of attacks, somehow saving them both from the situation, but unfortunately, getting away clean at that point seemed nearly impossible. Not only that, but the same helpless face from the rooftop reappeared, and now replaced Olivia’s formerly confident expression.

Doing as he was told, Nole approached the opposite end of the alley, where the Enforcer was giving his orders. He looked at everything except for the gun: Olivia, the shadows around him, even the debris littering the ground. He guessed the time to be around three thirty or four judging by the slant of the shadows on the bricks and the ground. Surprisingly, the clearing was fairly clean. The only things on the ground were papers and wrappers. He hadn’t noticed all of it at first, but since the Enforcer arrived, time had seemed to slow down.

Still watching Nole, the Enforcer removed one hand from the gun and retrieved a radio from his belt. Despite the distance, Nole could make out every single word said by the man and those on the other end of the radio. “This is Sgt. Ryker,” he relayed in a quick and determined manner. “I have Nole Vale cornered.”

The Sergeant went on with pertinent details – their current location, Sgt. Bellamy’s condition, and Olivia’s presence. The static-filled voice on the other end instructed the man that backup would be there in fifteen minutes.

Shoot. I can’t do a thing. I didn’t even find Caden. He bit his lip as he trudged, one foot slowly making its way in front of the other. The metallic taste of blood shook his nerves. No. I can’t let it end here. He made eye contact with Olivia, who appeared to be feeling the same futility he was. Although her lips formed a thin line, he could recognize the emptiness in her eyes. She, too, didn’t have a plan.

Looking down at his feet, Nole made sure to obscure his mouth from Sgt. Ryker.

“You have to make a run for it,” he muttered loud enough for only her to hear.

“I-”

“Listen, there’s no time to argue. This is my mess. You shouldn’t go down with me. I’ll stumble and you make a run for it. I know it’s risky, but that’s all I’ve got right now. He’ll be too focused on me, so you could get away. You might run into some Enforcers on the way, so before you go, take the gun. I’ve loosened it from the holster, so you should be able to grab it and go.”

When she didn’t argue, he went on. “Just do me a favor and look after Suri. Tell her I’ll be away for a few days. Keep her away from the paper too, if you can.” What am I saying? When they were side by side, he stopped moving. “And if it’s not too much trouble, look for Caden.” How could I be so useless? He clenched his jaw as he realized he was admitting defeat. I, I can’t take anyone else down with me. Maybe it would be best if I-

“Hey!” roared the Enforcer. “Keep moving!”

Nole lifted his head and continued his walk when Olivia finally spoke. Since she faced away from the gun-wielding enemy, she got away with the comment.

“Zane was following you that night.”

Despite the intimidating man before him, Nole stopped dead in his tracks and lowered his arms to his sides. Of course he knew which night she was alluding to. He might as well have been shot, because the information had pierced him as sharply as any bullet.

Whether it was because of the tense atmosphere or Olivia’s words, Nole felt his pulse quicken, and everything was at a standstill. He’d anticipated their connection to the boy, but hearing it firsthand shook him. It felt as if a good friend had betrayed him. The other Sergeant’s orders were muffled because all Nole could hear were his own heart racing and a familiar ringing in his ears. Before he knew it, his body turned toward Olivia, whose head was down, clearly unable to meet his gaze.

“What?”

It was only one word, but it was enough to ignite a reaction from her. She watched him from the corner of her eye, and spoke with calm precision.

“Zane was watching you that night. He saw you take Taro to Murphy, and then he saw you leave.”

Even though he’d never learned the boy’s name, he instantly knew she was referring to the boy he’d saved. There was no more common sense or analysis to rely on. All of that went out the window when Olivia had divulged the truth. All he did know was that he was angry. No, infuriated. Not only did they have knowledge of his innocence, but they also had information that could pin the murder on the boy, Taro.

“Vale, I’m not going to tell you again! Put your hands on your head and face me!” Sgt. Ryker was relentless, but it was futile. With the Enforcers blindly chasing after him and his supposed allies withholding information of his innocence, he was a dead man either way.

“You’re covering for him, and letting me take the fall,” he murmured, the defeat evident in his tone. It was his fault for believing them; for trusting them. They had played him, and now they were serving him to the slaughter. “What are you guys going to do with Suri when I’m locked away? Do you know where Caden is too? Was this whole thing a ploy to get me arrested? I was suspicious of your little act at the library, but-”

Out of nowhere, Olivia twisted her body to face him and threw a right jab straight for his face. He caught it effortlessly with the palm of his hand. The anger in her eyes mirrored Nole’s and the blank face was now a scowl.

“Stop!” Ryker’s voice rang, but neither of them paid him any attention.

“Where do you get off? I’m risking my life here trying to help you, and you have the nerve to-”

The sound of a gunshot blasted against the narrow brick walls surrounding them. Both Nole and Olivia ducked reflexively, but after a few seconds, they realized that they were unharmed. Confused by the situation, Nole saw the Enforcer’s gun on the ground, and the gun lying beside his unmoving body.

Silently putting their fight on hold, they simultaneously noticed the new person facing them. It took a few seconds before the image actually registered in his mind, but Nole knew the person standing before him. 

Caden?

The sandy blond hair resembled that of his brother’s, but it wasn’t Caden. Although the wavy locks were swept to the side and covered in a red beanie, the face was unmistakable.

“T-Taro?” Olivia stammered.