"Breaking news! breaking news!: just now we received a report stating that there is a hostage situation at a high school on a Sunday . our sources say that the captor is a masked man and he seems to be holding a total of 12 people hostage. For further details, Mr. Reporter will give the report from the scene."

"Mr. Reporter, can you hear me..."

"Can you hear -" "order number 112013 : Ethan wood...an Americano to go."

Hearing my name called, I put my eyes away from the TV screen and looked towards the cafe counter. A big woman in her 30s was searching left and right as she asked again, this time slightly louder. "Is there an Ethan here?"

"Ahh, yes," I said, getting up, not wanting to make the lady wait anymore. I rushed to the counter and apologized to the lady as I got my coffee. I checked briefly if my order had been misplaced before thanking the lady as I got out of the cafe.

'Hmm, why do I feel like something bad is gonna happen if I drink this?' I thought as I walked. Today was a day off, and my wife and daughter had gone shopping. Since I lacked fashion sense, I came to fetch a cup of coffee while deciding what to do next

I walked in a random direction just taking in the morning air as I drank my coffee. the streets was mostly empty, with a few persons jogging or walking. as I walked for a while I saw a watch shop on the other side of the street.

'ahh I have to fix my watch.' I thought as I walked towards the crossover.

the signal was red when I reached it. as I waited for the green i saw something across the crossover.

it was young boy just 8 or 9 years old, balling his eyes out as he cried. he was holding the hand of a female police officer, who was feeling both pity for the child and helplessness at calming the weeping child.

seeing the both of them i had a strange sensation. i suddenly felt extreme sadness as i watched the boy but i didn't know why.

while i was in my trance the light turned green as people at both sides started walking. the boy and the officer both got mixed in the crowd as i stood there for a while.

i broke out of my stupor only when i heard my phone rang.

'Hmm.' I took it out of my windbreaker's pocket as I saw the caller totally forgetting the strange feeling from before. "Oh shit." I cursed, nearly dropping my coffee. "Why is the police commissioner calling me now?" I grunted before clearing my throat, putting on my respectful facade as I answered the call.

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"Sir, Mr. Commissioner." I said respectfully.

"Ahh, Ethan...are you free?" He asked.

"Yes, sir...but why have you called me, sir?" I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.

"Did you hear about the high school hostage situation..." He said.

As I listened to the commissioner's words, a knot formed in my stomach. His voice trailed off, but I knew where this was going. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, and I felt my grip on the phone tighten. "There's a strange situation here, and we need your help." The commissioner's words hung in the air, like a challenge. I hesitated, my thoughts screaming 'Why me?' But I knew better than to show weakness. "Me?" My voice cracked, despite my efforts to sound calm.

"You are a hostage negotiator, right?" He asked with an annoyed tone.

"Ahh, yes, yes." I stuttered. "But, sir, I'm not the best person for this job..."

"Do your damn job and get to the scene." He ordered, cutting me off again as the call ended

I looked at my phone incredulous. Then I looked at the cup of coffee before throwing it in a nearby trash can as I murmured, "Bad luck."

but I couldn't refuse him now can I . I reluctantly withdrew my plans to go to the watch store as i looked for a taxi to get to the scene.

the high school was nearby, just a couple kilometers ahead.

' who would do hold someone hostage in a school on a Sunday. my daughter just joined a school 2 years ago but even she hates to go to school. so who are unfortunate individuals going to school and what was the captor doing in a school...this whole things sound strange, and if i can't be understood then it is...danger!' i thought as i cursed the commissioner.

after a while I caught a ride in a taxi to the scene.

the trip was silent after i told the destination to the driver. i was thinking about the hostage situation and the reason why they called me for to handle the case. although i have worked in the field of hostage negotiation for almost 7 years i knew that i was just average negotiator compared my colleagues, so either this was a case easy enough to handle or it was case where i have to put my life and job on the line where the other negotiators decided not to take the gamble.

' in any case i just have to do it.' i thought as i took breath to collect my thoughts and calm myself.

SCREECH.

the taxi came to halt. I opened my eyes and saw that I have reached the school.

"how much?" I asked the driver.

"..." I received no response. he just the unlocked the door lock

'hmm' I got out and walked to the front, to pay the fare.

on the driver seat i saw the driver a old man in the 40s staring straight ahead, not even turning to see me.

" hello sir, I asked how much is the fare." I said a bit louder to break the strange old man out of his stupor.

blink.

the man blinked before finally turning his head.

"huh!!!"

but the next second I wished he didn't.

his face was pale and old with wrinkles covering on every part of his face, but what truly scared the breath out of me was ...his smile.

to say it was creepy was an understatement.

his lips stretched wide nearly touching his ears, as his set of the teeth came into view. the teeth was full of cavities and dirt adding a layer of creepiness to his already creepy smile.

just I stood there, wide eyed breathless I saw his eyes gleam with purple light.

he suddenly smiled even wider than before and stepped on the accelerator.

VROOM!

and the car just went ahead leaving me standing in cold sweat in front of the school entrance.

there was just one thought in my mind.

' WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!!! '