“Yinney” Chapter 31

 “Sometimes something has to happen, in order for something else to happen,” someone once said.

“This is Chanel 10 News. I’m Tracey Copper reporting live from just outside Central Park where a major gang war suddenly broke out about thirty minutes ago!”

Clara and Rachel had not moved from the couch as they watched the horrible event unfolding. It had only been a few days since Rachel had been a witness to a murder, a literal execution, performed high in the night sky for greater impact; and now this? What was the world coming to?

The quivers in her body that had faded away during her rushed hike from subway to home, had now returned. Conflicting emotions were at war within her. Frank was a good man, and she loved him very much, but now she resisted that love. How could she live like this? Even now, they were only dating but it was still tearing her up inside, knowing the danger he was in.

Had she not seen it with her own eyes, had she not seen the man begging for his life, and yet the shadow with the gun executed him as if it meant nothing! Life meant nothing! A human being meant nothing! His body falling from the high-rise, the sound of it hitting concrete below, and the shadows walked away as if it were nothing. What kind of evil is that? What darkness fills the minds of such people? And Frank faced that darkness every night, but could she? She didn’t think so, and the quivers running through her body even now were confirming that very thing. “Detach, Rachel!” her mind demanded. “Detach while you still can!” But the heart hangs on.

The reporter continued, “It appears the police are about to go in! Squad cars, helicopters, and spot lights are flashing everywhere! As far as we know, there have been two injured civilians so far, and no fatalities, but we don’t know who may be trapped in there and unable to get out. The police say they will enter to save those people and stop this gang war! They intend to send a strong message that this kind of lawlessness will not be allowed in New York City! You threaten our people, we’re going to hit you hard was a quote from the Chief of Police earlier. I believe I see them moving now! Yes! They’re going in!”

Adrenalin pumped through Frank’s body like a race horse straining at a gate. For half an hour now, gunshots, screaming, fighting, could be heard going on in the park. With all the natural cover it offered, it was more like a jungle war zone than a gang fight, or a mixture of both, but the natural conditions were prolonging the battle beyond a normal gang fight. No one had seen anything like this before.

The men were nervous but anxious to get in there. This had to be stopped before countless lives were lost. No one knew how many trapped civilians might still be in there. When the order was given, Frank leveled his gun and two-thirds of the officers began entering, as the other third was ordered to hold tight and protect the streets.

Frank’s partner, Sam, had found him and they now entered the park together. Frank and Sam had been together for a while and knew how each other thought. The sound of gunfire and angry voices made it easy to locate the main battle ground, but it had also scattered. At any moment an assailant could fire upon you from the cover of darkness, and it was almost impossible to prepare for.

In no time at all they found themselves pinned down and shooting at shadows. Bullets ricochet off trees and rocks around them. A report came across the radio saying the gang was holding captives in a stone building, and threatening to execute them all if the police interfered! At that same moment, Sam decided to make a rushed move to another tree. “Cover me!” he yelled as he suddenly shot forward into the dimly lit landscape.

Frank did the best he could, but that was the last he saw of Sam. They were officially separated. Frank was pinned down and unable to follow his partner. Out of the darkness a streak of silver flashed, a glint of steel caught his eye! A crazy guy with a samurai sword was attacking him! But his training instantly kicked in, and a sword is no match for a gun. The man fell to the ground and there was no time to even check his condition as automatic weapons still filled the air with streams of bullets.

Frank strained his eyes still trying to spot his partner. A special task force of officers were sent in with a mission of getting to that stone building, fill it with tear gas, and save as many civilians as possible. But everyone knew there was going to be loss of life. Frank began moving forward.

He was still searching for Sam when he spotted an officer in a life and death struggle with a very large man on a bridge! Was that Sam? He couldn’t tell, but it didn’t matter. This officer needed help, and between the two of them they should be able to overpower the guy and get him in cuffs. Frank ran the short distance onto the bridge, holstering his weapon as he went, and drawing his club. “Knock this guy out from behind,” he told himself. But just as he was almost there, the big guy snapped the officer’s neck and spun around catching Frank completely flatfooted! He easily blocked the club and Frank was instantly in trouble. How did this guy move so fast? He obviously had special training, and now he was alone against this giant, as the other officer lay on the ground not moving.

The man got hold of him before he had a chance to stop, dodge, or even redraw his weapon. His grip was like a vice! The battle was on, and he was straining every muscle trying to get some advantage, or escape, to survive, against this demonic monster he now grappled with. This had not been the plan. How had it gone this way?

Rachel knew something wasn’t right. She started crying and Clara immediately moved closer, asking what was wrong?

“I’m just worried about Frank. I can’t help it. I’ll be alright as soon as this is over and I know he’s safe.”

Frank felt his body beginning to weaken. His breath running short, oxygen deprivation. Lactic acid setting in from the pace of the fight and the strain. He was beginning to feel a sense of desperation. The big man suddenly spun him around like a rag doll. His back hit the short wall and the big guy was still on him. Desperation took over. He only had one chance. This guy was going to break his neck, gouge his eyes, or any number of ways he knew how to kill someone.

Frank strengthened his grip on the big guy and with a sudden superhuman effort, over the wall they tumbled, completely out of control. Holding his breath and bracing for impact, the fall seemed to take forever, but when it came, it was sudden and hard! Frank landed on the bottom. He couldn’t breathe. He felt the big guy getting up. But darkness was swallowing him and he could do nothing about it. Was he dying? He was gone. He knew nothing, nothing but blackness.

“Sometimes something has to happen, in order for something else to happen,” someone once said.

 This is the continuing story of “Yinney the Sloth who needed to Poo”, and property of Don Allen / Fellowship of the White Path.