*Detective Decker's POV*

"So ma'am we were told you have given these description of 3 young boys who was 'playing' with max near the restrooms at the park, is that correct?" I had to be sure that we had everything correct.  "Yes ma'am that was me, this poor man came to my door and I felt so bad knowing I had seen that and didn't realize that it wasn't just boys having fun. I have a child too so I feel so bad." she gestured towards Dakota sitting in the chair against the wall in the interrogation room.

"well could you please describe these boys again for us? We have a person here who will draw them for you and then at the end you can see it and tell him anything that may need to be fixed. having a face will help us really get a good look of who it may have been." I waited for her to nod, "I'll be right back." I stepped out. I went and grabbed a ice Carmel macchiato from the crew room. I was really hoping this could help us find them and hopefully Max. He seemed like such an amazing kid. He looked so happy in his pictures and he had these eyes that screamed for help tho. I know he's had a rough past just from looking at him.

I waited in the crew room for a few minutes collecting myself before going back so I can appear brave and unaffected about Max's disappearance, we aren't allowed to show emotion against cases or we can be kicked from it. when I went in she was fixing problems on the last boy. I sat and waited as they discussed the differences that were needing fixed. I could see Dakota was starting to get uneasy, he wanted to see Max's attackers; I didn't blame him. So did I.

the drawer placed the drawling towards us across the table Dakota stood up and walked over picking up one of the images, his face pale. He sat down. I crouched in front of him. "Dakota, do you know who that might be in this image?" I looked deep in his eyes, I could see a hatred shine from them. he nodded, "This is Axel. Max had him kicked from school for bullying him about being transgender and gay. we thought we would never see him again." he spoke tears dwelling in his eyes. I grabbed him a tissue from a near by box. the women stared at him with sympathy in her eyes. 

I thanked her and told her we would let her know if we need anything else we would let her know. the drawling's were deep in detail. grabbed all 3 and went back to my desk I started to do a deep search on the kids name. There was many Axels but only 2 matched the description. I had Dakota point out which one it was. it was the one on the right. he had the appearance of someone who would hold a grudge. I thanked him and called for a conference with my team. I was going to his house and talk to him and see if I can get anything from him about Max. or see if I can catch him in a lie about it all.

***

We arrived with 2 squad cars and vests just incase, you never know what to expect with people these days. I kept my gun at my side in its holster. I calmly knocked on the door. after about 40 seconds a man in what seemed like his mid 40's answered the door. 

"Hello sir, does Axel live here?" I asked calmly. "Yes, is there something I can help you with?" he asked obviously drunk as you could smell the whiskey in his breathe. "We need to question him about a child we are investigating. he held up a finger and shut the door. 

minutes later the door opened. "he said he's not coming to the door and then walked out back." he then slammed the door shut. we took off around back I saw a kid run into the forest. I pointed my team forwards and we ran after him. I could just barley see him. he ran into a big concrete structure. I had my team disperse. to surround the building. me and my #1 team member went in. the sight I saw was gruesome. Max was naked cut up and bleeding, you could tell he had been beaten multiple times and possibly sexually assulted by the look in his eyes. Axel had a gun to Max's head. he was luckily alone.

"Don't come any closer or ill blow his brains out!" He screamed at us, tears streaming from max's face. I held my gun at my side, "we wont but I need you to release Max," my partner slowly started moving behind him.  "let him go Axel, your better than this; please Axel, put the gun down." I said taking small steps towards him.

"NO, HE FUCKED UP MY LIFE HE DOESNT DESERVE HIS!" He screamed he was shaking holding the gun closer to max's temple. just as I was about to speak I heard steps behind me. It was Dakota. he came running in. I held my hand up ordering him to stay back. he stopped staring at the sight in front of him. "Max!" he started crying seeing Max in this state.

"Dakota you need to leave its not safe here." I yelled at him keeping my eyes on Max and Axel. "Get out of here or ill shoot you!" Axel points the gun at Dakota.  I started moving closer.  

*BOOM!*

a gunshot fired and Dakota dropped to the ground. another office ran in he saw Dakota and dropped to his side. "Dakota! NOOO!" max screamed crying more. about that time my partner tackled Axel from the side. axels gun flew and max scrambled to grab it and slid it to me. he was a smart kid. a officer called for max and helped him out of the building.

we got Axel in hand cuffs and shoved him into a patrol car, and called for an ambulance. Dakota had a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to the hospital immediately and max was taken for his scars and to see if he was gonna have any permanent damage.  i drove to the station and put my papers and stuff up. it was time for me to clock out and i felt a ping in my heart i felt terrible. I hoped both would pull through.

Thats going to be the end of this chapter. whats your guy's opinions? will dakota live or will he die leaving max heartbroken? hows Nathan going to respond knowing max was beaten but alive? stay tuned for more.