Shooting (2)

Outside, Sooyun was alone. He was running toward the restaurant as a phone pressed tightly on his phone. He just got a call about the robbery, and since he was patrolling the streets nearby, he got to the area first.

Sooyun acted as if he was in a dilemma. He could hear the screams and the crying sound inside of restaurant. He wanted to take action, but he was alone. 

He was advised to wait for reinforcement, but his kind heart couldn't just stand still. 

"How long will it take?" Sooyun asked the person he was talking to on the phone.

He waited for a few seconds as if there was someone responding to him before he brought down his hand and problematically ended the call.

Sooyun wanted to barge into the restaurant so badly, but that might make the situation worse. 

Right now, the most logical thing was to wait outside and hide in the corner. If the culprit would run away, this would be the only way for him to go out. 

Sooyun waited there patiently, tightly holding onto his gun and repeatedly looking around to assess the situation. After a few minutes, a police car arrived with the reinforcement inside. 

"Officer Jinhyuk, we've confirmed the situation. A suspect is holding a hostage inside the restaurant. Approach with caution," the voice from the dispatch instructed. 

Sooyun nodded, silently acknowledging it. 

Sooyun started moving with caution. Behind him were a few more police officers who were holding their guns out. 

Bursting through the doors, Sooyun quickly scanned the chaotic scene. His sharp eyes looked around, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

'Jungjae?' Recognition flashed in Sooyun's eyes. He froze on the spot as he and Minjae saw each other. 

Minjae's eyes widened. He faltered slightly as he held onto the knife in his hand more tightly. He was holding it as if his life depended on it. 

'What's happening? Why is he here?' Thoughts circulated in Minjae's mind. 

Why does it have to be him? 

He's a friend.

But no…

He's also a police officer.

He can't let them catch him.

What should he do? 

Fuck! Why is life so unfair against him?

The camera captured perfectly the change of emotions in Minjae's eyes. 

"Officers, back up. I know this man." 

Sooyun moved cautiously, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. His calm but authoritative voice filled the tense air.

"Jungjae… listen to me. You don't want to do this." He carefully took a step forward, his eyes locked on Minjae. "We can figure this out. Let her go, and we'll talk. You know me. I'm here to help." 

Minjae's breathing was ragged, his grip tightening more on the knife against the trembling woman's neck. His eyes darted between Sooyun and the other officers, a storm of fear was slowly showing onto his face.

"Stay back!" Minjae growled, his voice trembling but was still firm. "Don't you dare come any closer, or I swear—" He didn't finish the sentence, yet the weight of his words thickened the air.

Though in a snap, Minjae's eyes widened. It was as if he was pulled out by reality. 

Why is he even doing this?

Did he become this desperate? 

But he can't back away now. He was already surrounded. He needed to get out quickly. 

"Junjae, let her go. We can figure this out, okay? No one needs to get hurt." Sooyun raised his hands in a calming gesture, his voice firm but measured.

Minjae's head snapped toward Sooyun, his chest heaving as though he were a caged animal. 

"Stay back!" Minjae shouted, his voice hoarse. "You don't understand! None of you do! I don't have a choice!"

Sooyun took a cautious step forward, his police instincts kicking in. He forced himself to keep his tone even. 

"You always have a choice. Whatever's going on, we can work through it. You're not alone in this."

Minjae let out a bitter laugh, his expression twisted with anger and despair. "Not alone? You think you know what it's like to lose everything? To have nothing left?"

The camera zoomed in on Sooyun's face, capturing the flicker of unease that crossed his features. 

"I don't know your story," Sooyun admitted, taking another step closer. 

"But I know you're better than this. Hurting her isn't the answer. Let's figure this out together."

However, Minjae's breathing just grew erratic, his hand trembling even more. The knife's blade shone under the restaurant's fluorescent lights. 

Then the cameras switched angles, capturing both men in a single frame.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Minjae screamed, his voice cracking as he pressed the blade closer to the hostage's neck. The woman sobbed loudly, and the extras cowered further into the corner, as if they were scared of what might happen.

Ignoring Sooyun's words, Minjae faced the scared women in his arms instead. 

"Give me the money, now!" he loudly shouted at her, his voice cracking under the pressure. "Everything you've got!"

The woman whimpered as tears continuously streamed down her face. Minjae wanted to commend the woman. She was doing well.

The woman's hands trembled as she reached into the bag beside her. She pulled out her wallet and gave all the cash she had. Minjae snatched it with a shaking hand. 

Before anyone could react, Minjae made a sudden move. He shoved the woman forcefully aside before bolting for the door with an amazing speed. 

He practiced running for days just for this scene. 

"Stop him!" one of the officers shouted, but Minjae was fast as if the adrenaline was making him push forward.

The scene became messy, but the different cameras captured every angle perfectly. 

Sooyun sprinted after him, his legs burning as he chased Minjae through the streets. 

'Why is this guy so fast?' Sooyun's forehead creased, quite surprised by it. He was getting tired but he couldn't even stop because they were at the height of the scene. 

'Ah, shit.' Sooyun could only silently mutter a curse as he tried to fix his expression. 

"Junjae! Stop running!" Sooyun shouted, his voice echoing through the alleyways.

But Minjae didn't stop. He turned in a corner, and when he saw the marking on the floor, he ran even faster. When he stopped, the expression on his face didn't change. 

"Argh!" Minjae shouted in frustration as he turned around. His chest heavily moved up and down as Sooyun slowed to a stop with his gun in his hand.

There was nowhere left to run.

Sooyun took a cautious step forward. 

"Junjae, it's over. Just put the knife down. Please."

Minjae laughed bitterly, but he didn't do what was told. Instead, he cautiously stepped back and even pointed the knife in front, as if challenging anyone who would come in his way.