As Max entered the bunker, it was very dark. He saw rooms that looked more like prison cells. He knew what that meant. "These bastards..." he muttered.
Using the keys he found in the monitor room, he opened one of the doors. The room was empty. He moved to another door and heard a faint breathing sound. Relieved, he opened it and found a few children aged 12 to 15, some unconscious. Shock and fear were evident in their eyes as they saw the unfamiliar man standing before them. Max said warmly, "Don't worry, you guys are safe. I just called the police. They'll be here in a moment."
Some of the children looked at him with hope, but others were still wary. Max continued searching the cells. In the last one, he found a woman in her 20s tied to a chair, her mouth covered with duct tape. She glared at him as he entered. Max walked up to her and removed the tape. Instantly, she started cursing and yelling at him. Unfazed, Max covered her mouth again. She struggled and mumbled, "Mmm... mm... mmm..."
"Look, I'm here to help. I took care of all the kidnappers. The police are on the way. I need you to take these kids upstairs and wait for them. I'll find something for you all to eat. If you understand, nod twice," he instructed. Surprised, she nodded quickly. Max removed the tape and untied her.
"Thank you. I'm really grateful and sorry about before," she said.
"You're welcome," Max replied with a smile under his mask. "Let's get you all out of here." Max led them upstairs.
Everyone was shocked to see the entire gang of kidnappers unconscious. The woman asked, "Did you kill them all?"
"No, they're just unconscious. Stay here. I'll be back." Max found some food and water and brought it to the woman and the kids. They were relieved to finally eat. Max thought, "What is taking the police so long?" and sighed.
With gratitude, the woman introduced herself, "My name is Jenny. I'm a reporter. Thank you again."
Max already knew who she was, having data on every recent missing person case. "It's alright. Can you help me with something?" he asked.
"Anything," she replied.
Max handed her some duct tape. "Can you tie their hands and feet so they don't escape after I'm gone?"
"You're not staying?" she asked.
"No, I have a lot of work to do. But don't worry, you'll be safe until the police arrive," he assured her, walking towards the entrance.
"Wait, can you tell me your name?" she called out.
"Maximus," he said, disappearing like a ghost. Everyone was stunned.
-----
A while later, the police arrived. They entered with guns drawn and saw the missing people standing and the kidnappers tied up with duct tape. One of the officers, looking confused, asked, "Who is the kidnappers here?"