Cornered - Takumi (open tag)

[Evan Hughes]

Very, very, almost at a snail’s pace basically, Evan made his way over to the door that connected the cafeteria kitchen with the cafeteria itself. Now, why couldn’t whoever had designed the school have had the foresight to add one of those little windows to the door, in case of a situation like this? Though he supposed, if that was the case, it would also make it easier for everyone out there to know they were in here. And that might not be a good thing.

He glanced back briefly when he heard the Asian guy discussing plans, but his focus was more on the sneaky spy stuff he had to do now. And so, inching his way to the door, he opened it the tiniest fraction, just to see what was happening. And a lot was happening, it looked like. He quickly tried to count the people with guns he saw. He was going to take a wild punt and guess the people with guns were the bad guys.

He also spotted someone who looked a cross between two of his companions in the kitchen, and a knife wielding homicidal maniac. He figured that was the guy he had heard them talking about. At the question, Evan very quietly closed the door and turned back to his new acquaintances, admittedly a little relieved. He had seen a lot of things in the cafeteria. But he hadn’t caught sight of any of his friends. That could mean they got out safely. Or a few could be trapped in the school somewhere else. Someone could also be dead, but he wasn’t going to think about that.

“Ah, there’s two, sorry, was two with guns, but one took off. The other’s got a girl, a hostage. I know her, the girl. And there’s another guy, standing up. But he might be a hostage too.” Evan explained quickly. He and Jessica might not get on well, basically the girl loathed him, but still, he felt terrible for her. “So I think there’s only one with a gun, and another one, I don’t think he has a gun, but he looks like he’s helping the guys with guns. And he’s being fought by, was it Saint, you said? I think that’s him. Looks a little like you.” Evan turned to the other two.

“My friends aren’t there. I’m sorry, but I have to go look for them.” It seemed reasonable enough. And part of him wanted to be away from people with guns. A very big part of him. He clenched the knife he held tighter, more serious and sober than he had ever been in his life, and would probably ever will be again. It just felt odd to him.

Evan felt like he couldn’t leave them though, and he especially couldn’t leave Jessica with a gun against her. And helping her might make up for accidentally burning her house down. That was always a plus. So a plan quickly formed in one half of his brain, while the other half was busy screaming ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid!’ “Well, I’ve gotta get out of here anyway, and I’m kinda a fast runner. I think I could get from here, through the cafeteria and the doors in about 5 seconds. I should be okay, they wouldn’t be expecting anyone to come running out. And I’ll make a lot of noise. And then, maybe the gun guy might get distracted? And while he’s thinking about coming after me, maybe you could all go after him and help the girl he’s got?”

It wasn’t the best plan ever, but it was a plan. And so Evan moved closer to the door, getting ready to sprint. He looked at the other three, forcing another grin. “It’ll be too easy. So, when I’m clear, you all run out, okay? With the fire extinguishers and the knifes. “ He hesitated, just a moment. “I’m Evan. You all ready?” His mum would kill him if she found out he did this. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[fryn]

Takumi peered warily over the counter, his hair well drenched already b the sprinklers. It fell flat and over his ees, normally having been sprayed to stand on end a little. He saw the gunman in question. "Look," he hissed, pointing towards the tall boy who was holding a ladle in his hand. "He is going to make some soup?" he asked in astonishment but the boy poked the gunman in his back and seemed to say something to him whilst brandishing the ladle as he would a sword.

"This is your chance, tomo," he said to Evan. "While he is distracted. Go! We will do what we can with the fire extinguishers." He threw the girl a confident smile as he plucked a small bit of herb from his necklace charm. He pushed it into her wet hair and behind her ear. "You need some protection also," he said.

Taki checked the extinguisher and pulled out its tab. He shook it slightly and nodded to Evan who prepared himself for his sprint. The tall boy with the ladle would hopefully be able to take care of the one thu... so he and the girl would target the other one who was holding the hostage.

"Stay low and behind me, little sister," he hissed to Lia. Takumi was small of stature but he was fast. Lightning fast... even hampered by the heavy extinguisher. "Ready?" he asked Evan and Lia... This was their chance... While the 2nd gang member was distracted.

[Evan Hughes]

Trying to keep his nerves under control, Evan lingered by the door, just for a moment longer, attempting to slow down his breathing and think of anything besides what he was about to do. Which was run past people with guns, people with guns who have already shot at him, and very likely shot at other people, with only a knife for protection. A knife he didn’t plan on using. Yeah, this wasn’t his best idea ever.

It was a stupid idea. Idiotic. So, of course it was one of his own. But, he had no choice, had to go through with it. He couldn’t just take off and let his friends fend for themselves. If they were in trouble, he would never forgive himself. And besides, he tried to console himself, if he managed to make it out alive, maybe his mum would let him take the rest of the week off school.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” Evan answered softly, currently thinking of every action movie he could, as if he could draw courage from it. John McClane, think like John McClane, he told himself. Yippee ki yay.

And then, before he could think about it any more, Evan burst out of the kitchen, into the cafeteria. Singing at the top of his voice. If he was to distract them after all, he might as well make it good. “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts. There they are all standing in a row!” he yelled, jumping over tables in a bid to get everyone’s attention, and also to escape the room very, very quickly. Reaching the main cafeteria doors, he burst out, taking off down the school corridors, sweat starting to run down his back. This sort of stuff looked easier in the movies. “Yippee ki yay!”

[fryn]

As soon as Evan flew out of the kitchen and started shouting words that Takumi couldn't even hope to understand, the Japanese boy darted out and slammed his hand down onto the fire extinguisher, aiming at the gunman who was holding the girl as his hostage. The CO2 stream struck him with full force in the back of his head, sending him sprawling. The foam coated the girl and all of the people close by as well with a few of them sliding over to join the gunman. A couple of boys... then a third... ran in to grapple with the gunman but Takumi had turned to face the other one. The one being prodded with the handle end of a ladle.

The girl had started to fire her own 'weapon' and Taki added his own to hers, liberally soaking both the gunman and ladle-boy. The cafeteria was in utter chaos... as he'd hoped.

Sirens could be heard outside the building and with luck that meant the cops had arrived. Problem was, though, they had no way of knowing whether or not there were any further gangsters in the building. He felt sure he'd heard more than just the two... but where in hell were they?

[felipe]

<pertinent snip back ;P>

He'd been about to follow that through with another strike when a cascade of white foam appeared from what seemed to be nowhere. Already soaked through by the sprinklers, the foam stuck to him as if glued, making it impossible to see, let alone move his feet for fear of sliding.

Too late... He moved one foot and went down, ladle flying free and clattering against the serving counter. The thug yelled something and ryubbed frantically at his eyes but a blinding swoop of red stopped the guy in his tracks and the smiling face of an Asian boy could be seen after the man had toppled, the extinguished he'd used as a club still swinging gently in his hands.

"Sugoi!" he heard the boy utter and Felipe simply watched in astonishment.

[fryn]

His objective completed, Takumi nodded at the other boy, grinned, dumped the empty fire extinguisher and stepped back to survey the chaos. The cops had arrived by now and had the situation somewhat under control. The stench of extinguisher foam mixed with cordite was sickening... as was the undertone of death. People had died here... and Takumi had a feeling some of those either hurt or dead would count amongst their own school mates. He hadn't seen anything of Thad or Izzy since this had all begun... or of anyone else he knew. That in itself was terrifying.

He turned to face the girl. "See?" he said with a shaky smile as he touched the charm she'd given him. "It worked well, yes?" He tried to increase his smile but was unable to muster anything more than the feeble attempt. "And I don't even know your name," he went on. "I'm Takumi and after all of this I have to say its an honour to meet you." He held a hand towards her, drawing it back pretty quickly to swipe it down the front of his shirt and leaving a patch of foam in its wake. He grinned a little more easily as he pushed his hand towards her once more.

[Lia Juarez]

Lia's took his hand and then drew him into a hug. "Thank you Takumi, I am Lia," she said her voice throbbing with emotion. She saw the paramedics taking Saint away. "I need to go with my brother, but I will never forget you helping me." She kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly again before letting go.

Jandro barely had the presence of mind to drop the knives he had into the washer and turn it on before joining Lia to go with Saint in the ambulance. He knew it was likely he would go to jail, but he hoped that self defense and temporary insanity might get him off. Under the circumstances either was a reasonable plea.

[fryn]

Takumi watched Lia leave, a half smile on his face in the aftermath of her hug... and kiss. The smile evaporated, though, when he saw her brother being loaded into an ambulance. The boy had been badly hurt and had also been carrying a knife. He could well be in trouble with the cops once this all settled down... assuming he survived. And the other brother... Takumi had seen him hide his own knife into a machine. It would be enough to keep him out of jail. As for Taki... Charged with being in possession of a fire extinguisher? No, he would be just fine and besides, the mess he'd helped create had surely helped stave off further injuries. That was his defense and he's hold on to it for dear life.

"Now.. Thad otouto-san... Where are you, little brother?" He desperately wanted to go and look for him but the police had ordered everyone to stay put in the cafeteria for the time being. ANyone other than those allowed to accompany the injured to hospital, of course. They were sure to face endless rounds of questions before finally being permitted to go home and he dreaded to think of the reaction he'd find once he got there. His parents would surely be already beside themselves in panic.

(wrapped methinks?)