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The engines begin winding down.
One problem contained.
Three armed men remain between us and the van.
I open my door.
Taylor catches my vest.
“Where are you going?”
“Girls are in that van.”
“So are bullets.”
“I noticed.”
“Wait five seconds.”
“For what?”
He points.
Two sheriff’s vehicles appear behind us.
Fine.
Five seconds.
I count every one.
The moment the deputies take positions, Taylor and I move.
We stay low behind the berm.
A deputy shouts through a loudspeaker.
“Drop your weapons! Sheriff’s Department!”
One man fires.
Bad decision.
The deputies answer.
He disappears behind the van.
The second gunman runs toward the metal building.
Taylor tracks him.
“Right side.”
“I see him.”
We move closer.
A sound reaches me.
