It's over. I'm dead.

Surely they knew by now that I had evacuated my post. And if they knew that I evacuated my post, then they would know that I contacted someone, and if they knew that I contacted someone...that means certain death. Why did I have to step away for so long!

In spite of my certain doom, I picked up my radio to contact Falcon. Maybe I can lie and say that my radio malfunctioned. There was no harm in informing Falcon of the situation.

"Falcon, this is..." I hesitated, as I nearly said Claude. I know it's weird, but you have to use the name Jordan. Otherwise they'll be confused. "This is Jordan. Come in Falcon."

"Is there trouble inside?" Falcon asked.

"Yes, it seems like the staff are fighting back."

"Okay, over and out." The radio went silent.

Is that it? He's now just going to go in there and take on the guests? I don't need to do anything more?

Apparently, that really was the extent of my job. I saw Falcon burst into the diner, gun in hand. It provided just enough distraction for Calico to kick her assailants in their stomachs, sending them flying backwards. Cougar followed her lead, punching the guy in the chef's hat in the jaw.

Another burly man in a chef's hat ran behind the bar and grabbed a gun hidden among the alcohol bottles. With a running leap, Falcon jumped over the bar. His legs swung outward, whacking the gun from the chef's hands. He wrenched the chef's hands behind his back, pinning him against the bar. He kicked the gun across the floor towards Calico, who scooped it up from the ground. She whipped around and shot a waitress in the leg. A waiter dove towards Falcon, but Falcon easily karate kicked him away. The waiter smashed into a cart of dirty dishes.

"Freeze!" Falcon yelled. He had his gun pressed against the chef's temples. The chef gulped.

I felt sorry for him. All he wanted to do was run a nice small business, and now they were going to be robbed and held captive. It just wasn't fair; it wasn't right.

But what was I doing about it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I sighed. The detective agency will help us. They'll catch the gang and set all of these poor, innocent people free.

Calico and Cougar retrieved their guns from the floor and began rounding up the others in the room. Then, Calico walked to the west door where Parrot was stationed and let him in. She locked the door afterwards and did the same to the east door.

Parrot trained his gun on the customers and wait staff. "If anyone moves, I'll shoot."

Oh yeah, I thought. You have a gun trained on them, but they definitely didn't think you would use it to shoot them if they move.

Cougar and Calico set to work tying up their prisoners. When I skimmed the faces of the diners, my heart broke. Tears streamed down faces, while others looked completely dazed.

"You can't do this!" a woman declared.

"This isn't fair!" another cried.

"W-what's going to happen to us?" a man called out.

"Now, now, let's not make things more difficult than they have to be," Parrot said.

The people in the room remained surprisingly quiet for the rest of the time. I had to avert my eyes from the screen. Every time they tightened a rope around the hands and feet of their prisoners, I could feel the rough fibers cutting into my own skin.

After about ten minutes, my radio crackled. "Everyone in the main room is bound. Are there any more people in the building?"

"I don't know," I said. "I'll, uh, check." I suppose I should cooperate, otherwise I'll end up with the prisoners.

I started in the dining room, zooming in on the various booths and tables. No one was hiding. I moved on to the office in the diner. Once again, it was empty. Finally, I checked the kitchen. All was still, not a soul in sight, except...

Something moved in the far left corner under a cabinet. I switched camera angles on the screen. The image was blurry, but I could make out the shape of a shoe.

There's someone hiding there, I realized. But should I turn them in?

I really didn't want to. I really wanted to let the person go. But what if the gang discovered my deception? I would be done for.

"Um...I, er, think there could...potentially be something in the, uh, kitchen," I said slowly.

Cougar lumbered around the corner, shoving the doors of the kitchen open. His narrowed eyes darted around the kitchen. They rested on the tips of the shoes that I noticed. He pulled out his gun and stalked towards the cabinet...

I couldn't watch. I angled the screen downwards so I didn't have to see the poor guy be dragged into the other room.

It's all my fault. This is all my fault. If we get caught by the police, I'll deserve it. I ought to go to prison. I tried not to focus on my helplessness. Remember, Claude, you are trying to stop them. You called the detective agency. They'll come and make everything better. You're just playing along, you're not actually with them.

"Is there anyone else?" Cougar asked over the radio. I peeked at the screen again. Calico was tying up a scrawny boy in a white apron. He doesn't deserve that.

I swept my gaze through the other rooms. If there were remaining people, I couldn't see them.

"It's all clear," I said.

"Good. Now listen, Raven is heading this way in a truck to collect the customers and staff. Once he comes, Falcon will drive you and Parrot back to headquarters."

"Okay."

I was grateful that I didn't have to ride with the hostages. And it would likely take awhile for Raven to arrive. Maybe there would be enough time for the good guys to come and rescue me. I really wanted to see this gang put behind bars. I would even testify against them in court if I had to.

I kept my eyes peeled for a police car, or any sort of car, or any sort of person that was coming to lend assistance. Alas, no one even passed by. A white truck pulled up in front of the diner after about ten minutes. I saw Raven hop out of the front seat, along with four others in black jumpsuits.

Oh no! Raven got here sooner than the police did! I could feel the window of opportunity slipping away from me. I needed to do something, anything, that would stall the gang. Maybe I can poke a hole in their tires. But I would need some sort of object to do it. I wasn't strong enough to poke through rubber on my own.

Just as I began searching the ground for a pole or stick, I saw Falcon and Parrot running to the car. It's too late. The detectives didn't get here in time.

"We're heading out now," Falcon said, sliding into the front seat. Parrot hopped into the passenger seat.

I cast one last forlorn glance out the alleyway. There was no car in sight, except for the truck.

Maybe I'll get another chance some other time. I just had to cross my fingers.