[19] Hostage

The sudden appearance of the armed men sent my heart pounding in my chest. The gas canister felt heavy in my hands, its cold metal pressing against my skin. I took a moment to process the scene unfolding before me - the men, their guns, the way they held them with a casual familiarity that spoke of danger and ruthless intentions. Their eyes, cold and hard, were fixed on me. And Ms. Yan, trapped inside the car, her fear-filled eyes pleading for safety.

The gravel crunched under my boots as I took a careful step back, placing the gas canister on the ground.

"Easy," I said, forcing a calmness into my voice that I didn't feel. I slowly raised my hands, showing them I was unarmed. I could feel the cool evening breeze against my skin, the setting sun casting long shadows over us.

One of the men, the leader I assumed, smirked, his eyes never leaving mine. "Good boy," he sneered, the words filled with mockery. The other men laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the quiet street.

Ignoring their mockery, I kept my focus on the leader. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice steady. This wasn't my first encounter with hostile men, but the stakes were higher this time. Ms. Yan was in danger, and I had to get us out of this situation unharmed.

The leader's smirk widened. "Just your supplies and your car," he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather. The threat in his words was clear though - comply or face the consequences.

I glanced at the car, at Ms. Yan. Her wide eyes met mine, fear etched on her face. I had to get us out of this, but how? I was unarmed, outnumbered. The men held all the power.

But there was one thing they didn't know - the zombies didn't attack me. Could I use that to my advantage? It was a gamble, a desperate one. But it was the only chance we had.

One of the armed thugs signaled Ms. Yan to get out of the car, which she complied. Once she was outside of the car, he held her hostage. "Hand over the can slowly to us, boy." He emphasized the word boy. "We will also be keeping your girl and have a little fun with her." he chuckled darkly as he fondled one of her breast from behind.

My blood ran cold at the sight before me. Ms. Yan's terrified eyes met mine, her breath coming out in short gasps as the thug gripped her tighter. A boiling anger surged within me, a rage so strong that my fists clenched around the handle of the gas canister.

"Don't... don't touch her." The words came out as a low growl, my voice echoing ominously in the still night. The leader's leer widened at my warning, his hands lingering a moment longer before he finally let her go. He let out a barking laugh, his gaze mocking as he turned back to face me.

"Oh, what's this? Our little boy has grown a backbone." He chuckled to himself, his laughter grating on my nerves. "Don't worry, we won't hurt your girl... much."

"Let her go." I demanded, my voice stern and unwavering. The men around us laughed again, their amusement evident in their smirking faces. But I wasn't playing their games. I wouldn't let them harm Ms. Yan. Not if I could help it.

But what could I do? I was outnumbered, unarmed, and out of options. The situation seemed hopeless, the odds stacked against us. But I couldn't just give up. I wouldn't.

Drawing in a deep breath, I tried to calm my racing heart. I needed to think, to find a way out of this. And then it hit me - a risky plan, but it was our only chance.

"Alright," I said, surprising them with my sudden acquiescence. "I'll give you the canister. But let her go first."

The leader sneered, but nodded in agreement. He gestured to one of his men, who approached me cautiously, his eyes never leaving mine. I held out the canister, my grip firm. As the man reached out to take it, I acted.

With a swift motion, I swung the canister, hitting him square in the face. He stumbled back, his grip on the gun loosening. I didn't wait for him to recover. I lunged at him, grabbing the gun and spinning him around to face his comrades.

Gun in hand, I pointed it at the leader. "Let her go," I ordered, my voice unwavering. "Or I'll shoot."

The leader's smirk faded, his eyes widening in surprise. He held up his hands in surrender, his cockiness replaced with fear. The others followed suit, their laughter dying down as they realized their situation.

Quickly, I gestured to Ms. Yan. "Come on," I said, keeping my gun trained on the men. She hurried over, her steps quick and shaky.

With Ms. Yan safe, I didn't waste any time. I fired a warning shot into the air, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings. The men jumped, their fear evident in their wide eyes. "The zombies are coming, I will be running if I were you." I warned, my voice cold.

The man sneered, but turned and ran towards their bikes. But just as they left, they shot the tires of our car.

Fk!...

Putting the car situation aside, I rushed over to Ms. Yan, she was visibly shaken and her clothes disheveled.

"Are you alright?" I asked, as I knelt beside her.

She took in a deep breath then said: "I will be alright...I will be alright...I will be alright..."

Slowly she looked to me and looked at me with glistening eyes:

"Thank you...Thank you for saving me again..." she threw herself in my arms.

"No problem, I just doing what I am supposed to be doing." I said with a deep voice as I patted her back in comfort.

The thugs maybe gone, but our situation only got more bleak.

I looked over her shoulder and noticed our car was busted in the fight, the cannister is leaking and the zombies are closing in.

FML.

Q: What would you do, is someone hurts your loved one?