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He didn’t yell the words, didn’t cry as he said theht before, and that scared

The man shook his head, then said, “I’m sorry, Caleb I just… I can’t”

He shook his head again, as if that was soh The fact that he knew Caleb just added another layer of this-is-fucked-up to the entire situation But of course, things were only getting started because not three seconds later, the front door opened and a kid ca out A boy, maybe twelve or thirteen years old

“Dad!” he shouted

“Ricky, get back inside!” the ht up to him He threw his arms around his father, who i aimed at him

“Go back inside!” the man ordered

“No!” Ricky yelled “Get away fro to his father “Leave my dad alone!”

Caleb faltered at the sight of the kid and lowered his arhtly I was about to call out to hi tires pierced the air I wasbefore the police car rounded the opposite corner, its lights flashing but its siren silent I was just feet fro halt and a cop juer side

“Drop it!” he yelled

Several things happened in the space of the few seconds that followed

Caleb didn’t drop the gun In fact, he did the worst thing he could have and turned to look at the cop as shouting at hiun at that exact moment because I knehat the cop would do when he saw Caleb’s gun swing his way

Before the cop could send a barrage of bullets at Caleb, I aiun at the cop’s foot, which was visible beneath the door he was using to shield hinored the screams of the man and his kid, as well as the cops, and fired The police officer cried out and fell to the ground It took every ounce of skill I had to shoot the gun froain In that same instant, I reached Caleb and yanked him behindthe hood of the vehicle for cover I hit him in the fleshiest part of his upper arun, but not potentially ht there on the street I took out the front tires of the car next, then I practically dragged Caleb behind me as we made our way back to my car