S2W28: “Pulling Up Short”

© 2022 Phylicia Joannis

Chuck and his assailants heard his name over the radio at the same time. Both guards let out a series of expletives, the armed guard pulling up short less than an inch from Chuck’s ribcage.

Chuck saw his window and pushed the guard back with both hands, dodging the second as he darted back out into the hall. He collided with the guard from the morning shift, who grabbed him by the shoulder and steadied him.

“Whoa there, pal.” The guard grabbed his wrists and began to cuff him. “Where you think you’re going?”

The two other guards emerged from the corridor. There was no sign of the knife.

“Don’t leave me with those guys,” Chuck pleaded. “They tried to kill me!”

“Glad you caught him, Cobb.” The guard named Rod smirked. “He was trying to run away from Samson here, and I came to help.”

“He sounds a bit delirious, too.” Samson reached out to grab Chuck. “We’ll take him the rest of the way to medical, so they can check him out.”

Cobb finished cuffing Chuck and nodded at the two guards. “Samson, you forgot to cuff him earlier. It’s standard procedure. I don’t know why you were in such a rush. I was headed this way to make sure he was secure, but now we’ve got a code 37 for him. You heard the call?”

“Yeah, I heard.” Samson shrugged. “I can take him for you, Cobb.”

“Yeah, it’s no trouble,” Rob added. “I’ll help him get there.”

Chuck shook his head vehemently. “No! Don’t leave me with these guys.”

Cobb looked from one guard to the other. “No, I’m good to take him. I heard shouting earlier. Was that you two?”

“Uh, yeah,” Samson replied. “He slipped out of my grip and took off down that corridor over there.”

“Yeah, and I happened along from the other direction. So he ran back out.”

“He ran back out?” Cobb started making his way towards the waiting room. “How’d he get past you, Samson?”

“Didn’t see him,” Samson blurted. Rob rolled his eyes and glared at him.

“Didn’t see him running back towards you?” Cobb tilted his head.

“No. I mean, yeah, I saw him. I meant I couldn’t grab him.”

“Okay. Listen Samson, why don’t you just go and clock out? Your shift’s over. Rob, I’m sure they need you back at your post.” Cobb stared the two men down. They shook their heads and left, headed in the same direction.

“Thank you–” Chuck began, but the guard jerked him by the arm, cutting him off.

“Stay quiet,” Cobb warned as they rushed down the hall towards the waiting room. “I’d keep my mouth shut about this if I were you.”

“But those two guys–”

“Are dangerous. Keep your mouth shut, or you won’t make it out of here. Your best bet is posting bail.”

Chuck entered the waiting room and spotted Simon Lowe. The man looked down at his watch every few seconds, a scowl permanently pressed into his face as he tapped his foot. They made eye contact and Simon sneered.

It was a beautiful sight.