Chapter 56: A Familiar Face

After an unknown amount of time passed, Ryan and his parents finally arrived at the national park exit.

Upon arrival, they saw a bunch of police officers waiting for their appearance. This made Ryan and his parents immediately feel much safer.

Nathan and the family then headed toward these police officers, and one of them then started walking toward them.

Nathan said, introducing himself, "I am the one who made the emergency 911 phone call."

Police officer - "Hi, I am officer Harris from the Los Angeles police department. The one responsible for meeting you here."

Ryan then informed the police officer that Alex was injured.

The officer instantly called the emergency medic team on standby.

Ryan then handed Alex over to one of the doctors. Nathan and Ryan chatted with the police officer while Amanda headed over with Alex to an ambulance.

Amanda did this to comfort and take care of Alex while she was in pain when they dressed her wound.

Nathan and Ryan explained the situation in full detail and handed over the notepad with the directions to the cave.

The police officer looked and found that the directions weren't that clear and would require someone to help them locate the cave.

After Nathan marked all the directions with the help of trees as the gang had gone off the dirt road during their walk previously.

Nathan, the only adult man, stepped up and decided to act as a guide for the police.

With a worried look, Ryan said, "Dad let me come as well."

With a stern look, Nathan replied, "No, it is not safe. I alone will be more than enough."

Nathan and Ryan then returned to the ambulance to update Amanda and Alex about their current situation.

By the time they arrived, Alex had just finished dressing her wound, but it was still too much pain for the little girl to bear. The teardrops on her face indicated this.

Upon seeing Alex's face filled with teardrops, Ryan, a true gentleman, took out his handkerchief and handed it over to Alex to wipe her face.

Alex - "Thank you."

Nathan then explained the situation to Amanda and Alex.

Nathan - "So the directions to the cave aren't apparent, and I will have to act as a guide for the police."

Amanda instantly had a worried expression and wanted to convince Nathan that there must be another way, but she couldn't help her case much.

Alex decided not to comment on the situation as she felt it was inappropriate for her to talk and provide her opinion in such a situation.

In the end, the family had no other choice but to respect Nathan's choice of going out to risk his life.

The police officer from earlier then came asking Nathan to accompany him to get geared up.

Nathan, however, asked for a moment and had a little heart-to-heart with his wife and child, who he might be seeing for the last time.

Ryan waved Nathan goodbye and said, "Dad, come back safe and sound."

Nathan - "I sure will."

Amanda said, "Honey, I will be waiting for you."

Nathan replied, "Don't worry; you know I don't like to keep you waiting."

Nathan then headed towards officer Harris, standing in a corner, trying to give some privacy to the family who had become a key to solving a major case.

Nathan then headed away with officer Harris to get geared up in a bulletproof protective police vest.

Meanwhile, Ryan observed the massive police force around him.

Seeing so many police officers together made Ryan wonder why the Los Angeles police force had dispatched so many people.

As Nathan had reported only one kidnapper. In comparison, they were gearing up as if they were going to bust a Mexican cartel.

While looking around at the various law and enforcement officers, Ryan saw a familiar face that left him dazed. It was the face of Jacob Peralta from Brooklyn 99. It caught Ryan entirely off guard.

Ryan's thoughts couldn't help but float off in a different direction, "Is that him? No, it must be a coincidence. If it is him, then why is he in Los Angeles? He should be in New York."

"I guess in that case; he is probably just someone that looks like Andy Samberg. Yeah, that makes far more sense."

"Also, why has my system been bare quiet? Hey, system, you're still here, right? Is that Peralta or not?"

However, Ryan's thoughts are soon answered when he overhears a conversation between a police officer and the man in question.

Police officer Sam asked in shock, "What are you doing here, Peralta?"

Jacob smiled and replied happily, "I have been tracking this same gang for a while, and today is finally the day I put them behind bars."

Sam asked suspiciously, "Do you have clearance to participate in this operation?"

Jacob - "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

Jacob then dialed a number on his phone and handed it over to Sam.

Ryan decided to finally stop standing around and confront Jacob to get information on what was happening. Still, before that, he needed a concrete reason.

Ryan asked, "Mom isn't it strange that we reported a kidnapper, and they bought out a whole police force?"

Amanda looked amazed by Ryan's observation and said, "Now that you mention it. It is strange."

Alex then pointed at Jacob and Sam (still on the phone) and said, "I just overheard them talking about it being some gang."

Ryan - "Same. I heard them too. That's why I am asking."

Amanda - "Ryan, why don't you be a good sport and ask the officers for more information while I accompany Alex here."

Ryan - "Okay, I will go right away."

Like this, Ryan played his mom and Alex into forcing him to go and gather intel just as he wanted. Ryan then walked towards Jacob and Sam.

Author Note: I do wonder if you guys are okay with an action scene. I am just trying out new things is all. Later on, it will switch back to normal slice-of-life chapters.