"The person you are calling is not available at the moment, please try-" I hang up. I've been trying for an hour. His phone is off. Any other day I would dismiss it. It's Saturday afternoon, he could be just sleeping off his hangover, but the new information about that cheery fuck makes my stomach churn.
I already called Clyde, who hasn't seen Merle since Thursday night. I asked him to check his house, and reluctantly he did, but no one's there. I called few other of his buddies, places he hangs out frequently but nothing. Fuck! I can feel it, something's not right. I even thought about calling Oscar, but eventually dismissed the thought. It's very much unlikely to find my brother there. I really don't know who, or where else to call. I go back to Lumen who's still in my room, she calmed down but got quiet after that, too quiet. That's why I called Merle instead of going there in the first place. She's too out of it.
I find her in the exact same spot I left her an hour ago. Sitting on my bed, staring out of the window. I drag a chair to sit in front of her. Petting her legs I try to get her attention.
"Lumen, I need you to focus now. You said he just stood there, looking at you? He didn't even try to go closer? To talk to you?" Nothing. "Lumen!" I raise my voice a bit. Nothing. I don't have time for his shit, so I slap her. Not very hard, just enough. "Come on! I need you to wake up from this!" She jerks back and her eyes slide to me. There we go. I reach for her face but she flinches away, making me sigh.
"Hey, sorry for the slap, okay? But I've been trying to get a hold of Merle for the past hour and I can't find him. You need to talk to me." Her eyes drop, she takes a deep shaky breath as if to start talking, but eventually just shakes her head. "Darling? I'm sorry but I have to insist. I know I told you I won't ask about that, but I think we can agree on the fact that the situation has changed. I need you to tell me what you know about the guy. NOW!" I'll be damned if something happens to my brother only because she's too scared to talk about shit!
A single tear slides down her cheek and I can hear her whisper. "I don't know where to start. And all those memories, it's just- it's just too much. Too-"
"-You have to. This all, it's no fucking coincidence. Did you know he's still after you?" I'm really trying to be patient, but I'm anything but. I'm angry! I don't know if it's at her, at myself, at the situation, I'm just raging inside. I think I'm angry mostly because I don't know what to do. What can I do?
"No, I didn't! I didn't hear from any of them for more than six years."
"Them?" Why didn't I ask her nothing about anything again? "FUCK! Lumen, darling, I like you, I really do, but I won't be responsible for what I'll do if you don't start talking and I mean now! If you didn't notice my brother is fucking nowhere to be found! Merle, remember him?" I'm yelling at this point, Merle seems to be missing and my patience got to its limit. But she does start to explain.
"Okay, okay! I didn't say anything when you saw the scar because I honestly thought it's behind me. Like I said, it's been six years."
"Tell me now, who's they?!"
"They are- it's this cult." She looks at me through her tears as if checking my reaction. So I motion for her to go on. I need to know whatever I can find out from her. "These people, they are crazy, obsessed with dead, I-I watched them, I saw- they are sick, Daryl! But I thought it was over, I thought I'd never see any of them again."
"Stop, just stop! You are not making any fucking sense! Were you a member or something?"
"No, no I wasn't a member."
"What's the deal then? Start from the fucking beginning for Christ's sake." At least she seems to sober up after I mention Merle, but this is taking too fucking long for my liking.
"Okay, I'm sorry, I'll tell you everything..."
"Any time this year darling!" I raise an eyebrow in expectation.
"I'm sorry, okay? I just never talked about it. I'm really trying here." You and me both! "I-I think it all started when my mom died, breast cancer. The doctors said they got it soon enough and that she'd be alright. Well, they didn't, she wasn't alright and she died. And I didn't know how to handle it. My dad closed off on me and I was sixteen and stupid and I didn't have anyone else. Suddenly everything my friends talked about seemed to be so fucking shallow and pointless. So one by one, I stopped talking to them, until I was all alone." She takes a deep breath before she continues. "And then I met Jacob. I was just sitting by myself at the park and he sat beside me. I got up to walk away but he convinced me to stay, and we started to talk, and I don't know how, but I started to talk about my mom, about her death and he was the very first person to really talk about it with me." Her eyes focused on the window again as she seems to lose herself in the memories. "He told me, that if I was interested he would introduce me to some of his friends, that they all have bad stuff in their lives, that I could talk freely there, that they would get me. And I was so glad I found someone, someone with whom I wouldn't have to pretend everything was okay, that nothing happened. Everyone else acted like my time to grieve has passed and I should be okay. So I said I'd love to meet them, I agreed right away."
"So those friends, they were from this cult you were talking about?" Her head snaps to me as if she forgot I was there.
"Yes, they were. I was just hanging out with some of them for like six months. I got closer to Jacob and we started sort of dating. It was all cool, we talked about everything and I talked about my mom, about my dad, who got better by then, but then they took me in this house they were all living together, saying they want to introduce me to someone special. There was this guy, older than all of them. They called him Richard. I didn't like him but they looked at him as if he was God, they worshiped him. And the house... there were creepy pictures and symbols everywhere and other stuff. So as soon as I could I just took off. The next day I told Jacob I won't be seeing him anymore and he got so mad. He told me that I can't leave them now. He was freaking me out, so I ran. I ran home and told my dad everything."
"Then what?"
"He took me to the station, we told the cops everything and they sent us home, saying and I quote 'it's not our job to watch who your kid talks to or what unusual hobby they have.' So we went home and my dad told me to just call him if any of them show up. And they did, they were everywhere, in front of my school, the store when we went grocery shopping, the movies, the park, everywhere I went, they were there, just watching. We went to the police once again and they told us that they can't go and arrest people for standing and looking around. When we got home one day and found our cat gutted on the kitchen table, we called them again, but they said there is no proof to link it to them and did nothing, again! They showed up so regularly that dad started to recognize their faces. And one day, they didn't just watch. They took us. All of that time I thought, they were mad because they wanted me to join, but no. They had some sick plan and wanted me to be part of it, only not as a member but as some kind of sacrifice. The leader wanted them all to kill someone and that night was Paul's turn, he was suppose to be the very first. They-" her voice breaks and she stops. I have pretty good idea about what happens next. But I need her to say it. To say it all. I need to know.
"Go on, they what?"
"They killed him. I watched the leader kill my dad, he was presenting the ritual and the rest of them, they fucking applauded while my dad's blood spilled all over the place." She's visibly shaking again now, I hand her a handkerchief so she can blow her nose but keep my distance to leave her some space. "Then Paul's turn came, I remember how, when he stabbed me, at first I didn't feel a thing and then he started cutting and the pain started, I screamed and screamed, and the next thing I know. I'm in the hospital. It turned out, my dad managed to dial 911 when it all started, but they were too late. My dad was dead. I remember the officer telling me how Richard, the leader, will get life in prison at least, but I didn't care. It didn't bring my dad back."
"Did you see any of them after that?"
"No, not outside of the courthouse. That's the thing, I had several surgeries and then I moved to my grandma's. I testified at the trial and Richard was sentenced to death. He's in prison though, still waiting for it. They arrested more of the members, they ended up in prison too, but the rest of them. It was like they vanished. I never heard from any of them. I spent at least three years after that constantly looking over my shoulder, but when no one came I convinced myself that it was over. My grandma died soon after my nineteenth birthday. I didn't have any money left, most of it was spent by paying hospital bills, first for my surgeries, then for my grandma. So I just kinda kept moving, until I found this town. I liked it here enough and decided to try to do something with my life and start the school." And eventually ended up with me, lucky girl indeed. Well, she's mine now, nothing to do about that.
"What about that ex of yours? Could he have anything to do with any of it?"
She shakes her head instantly. "No, he got into drugs and changed, turned out to be an asshole, but no, nothing like this. He's a golden boy, with a chair waiting for him in his father's company. So no, I don't think he has anything to do with this."
"I don't get it, why would he seek me out if he was after you? Something's off about this. Was he always this creepy cheery bastard?"
She gives me confused look. "Cheery? What do you mean cheery?"
"When he was at the garage he had this stupid smile on his face, he was acting weird, like fucking Christmas commercial."
She let out a very unladylike snort. "No, I never saw him even smile. Not even at the time they were trying to lull me in."
I stand up and start to pace. What do I do, what do I do? It looks like this guy is a fucking nut case. There is no way this all is a coincidence. He's up to something, but what? I turn back to Lumen. Her eyes are puffy, but she stopped crying and is nervously watching me.
"Alright, here's what we do. I left messages for Merle in every fucking shithole he's usually hanging out. I'm gonna check out his house, just in case Clyde overlooked something. You stay here, lock the door and wait in case Merle comes here. If he does, you call me the minute you see him."
"I will, Daryl I'm so sorry, I never thought-I-"
"-it doesn't matter." I cut in. It's not like she did it on purpose or something. I got my secrets too. "It's not on you, okay? If anything happens-just-it's not on you, alright? Lock the door!" I tell her again to be sure she heard me the first time. She nods and I get out, checking the door once I hear the lock. Then I'm off driving to Merle's.
Merle's house is empty, just like Clyde said. I looked in every room, nothing but the usual mess. When I turn to leave though I see something. There is a note on the inside of the front door. Clyde must have overlooked it-
"Go home and check your door again."
-or it wasn't here yet when he was. Fuck. I get into my truck and speed back home as fast as the car let me. When I get there, the door is wide open and there is another note.
"Come to see us, we are waiting in your usual spot. Come alone."
My usual spot? He has to be watching us longer than I thought, he had to see me kill. I haven't killed anyone in a while. And the notes, the one in Merle's house seems like he was watching me when I was leaving my house. He has to have help, so I have to watch for more than one person. He's not that smart though. He's making me meet him in my territory. That's in fact plain stupid.
I take my hunting stuff, park the truck in another spot than I usually use and make my way in circles around the meeting place, to make sure no one is waiting somewhere in the trees as a backup. It takes me a little while to check the perimeter but there is no one. Why would he come without the backup if he has one? I'm nearing my spot, that is usually a place of relaxation for me, and I'm anything but relaxed. I haven't been here that many times while it was still daylight in past few years. But it doesn't matter, I could move around this woods with my eyes closed.
As I'm getting closer I see why he doesn't need the backup. Merle's not here. He doesn't have him here. I'm really trying to keep my head clear now. I need to be smart about this, I can do this! I'm about ten feet from them when I decide to let my presence known by snapping a branch under my feet.
Paul's head turns in my direction and there is no cheery smile on his face, only corners of his mouth lifted a bit when he sees me. He has a gun in his right hand. I'm keeping my crossbow pointed down, but ready. My eyes go briefly to the left. To the two figures, each tied to one of the trees here. Both gagged. One of them is Lumen, she looks terrified, the other one is hard to tell because it's a mess of blood and dirt, groaning, otherwise not moving. But it's too small for it to be my brother. I can't do anything until I know how to get him back.
"Where's Merle?"
"He's alright. He's safe, for now," he says with a pointed look. "And if you'll be reasonable he stays that way. I just wanna talk to you."
"I am very reasonable considering you kidnapped my brother." He thinks only Merle is his leverage. He doesn't know what Lumen means to me. How could he? And I'm not going to give him more cards to play with.
"Let's talk then." He's eying my crossbow but doesn't ask me to put it away, I wouldn't even if he did. His eyes shift back to the two people by his side. "I hope I did okay? I wasn't sure about the legs." When I don't comment he goes on. "You know, when my friend called me, saying that our mutual friend here lives in this town, I was glad. Glad that I'd get to finish what I started. I bet you know how that feels like." He pauses again as if waiting again for my input. I don't know what he expects me to say? I always finish what I start. "Anyway, I came here all excited. And I found you. I felt like a got a sweet reward on top."
I move a little closer but still leaving enough space between us. "So what is it that you want exactly, to let my brother go?"
"Oh, no, my friend. It's not about what I want! It's about what I have to offer to you. I was hoping we could avoid all this, but you are not exactly a friendly person. I get it, no hard feelings, but I just had to get your attention."
"I'm listening." Is all I say and I can hear Lumen starting to cry harder. Paul's posture, on the other hand, gets more relaxed. Gotcha! He thinks he knows everything about me. Stupid fuck.
"Great. Great, so here's the thing. I start with Richard." He blurts out a little too fast. He seems to be a bit surprised his plan actually worked like he had more prepared to say to convince me to talk to him. "You won't be able to meet him most likely, but I am sure you'd like him. He's someone who has a deep understanding for people like us." He turns to Lumen. "I bet you're now wondering what I mean by 'people like us', so pay attention, you are about to get to know a whole other side of your boyfriend here." He tells her with an evil smile. My hand clenches in a fist and try to push all the anger down, I have to play along, I have to until I'm 100% sure my brother is safe and how to get him. Seeing the look in Lumen's eyes though, it tugs at something inside of me.
"I don't need you to tell me about me! What's the offer?" It successfully takes his attention from her at least. She looks ready to pass out and she can't breathe properly with the gag in her mouth.
"I'm getting there. So he took under his wing everyone who felt the need, how to say it, well the need you obviously have to feel, time to time. Taking in consideration your little hobby. But Richard is gone now, thanks to little Lumen here. But the rest of us, we want to continue his work. My offer is, come and join us. You could be yourself with us, no more hiding, no more pretending." I open my mouth, but I'm not sure what I want to say because... what? "I-I saw you, you clearly have the experience and I dare to assume, the killer the FBI is looking for, that's you, right? You can tell me." I tell him nothing, I don't even blink. "I saw you eyeing that little junkie your brother beat up the other night, so here he is. I brought him for you, as a present." He motions to the bloody mess. Oh! So it's Lumen's ex. Well, I can't say I haven't thought about it, but where is the fun in this? He's all ready and more dead than alive anyway. Paul had to interpret my silent observation as a satisfaction with his work for some reason because that fucking cheery smile I hate breaks on his face.
"I knew it!" he shouts out, bringing me back. Fuck, I need to focus. Alright, I know how to play this. These little fucks are unsure of everything they do, and they think I can teach them what that Richard guy now can't, being locked up. What a bunch of pathetic losers.
"You can lose those gags, no one will hear anything, even if they'd scream their lungs off. The sound doesn't carry here." And just like the little obedient fucker that he is, he goes to take the gags out. This is almost too easy. When he moves to the guy, I notice the groaning stopped. And Paul confirms what I thought moment later, with the gag in his hand.
"Looks like this one didn't make it. Sorry, it was really meant as a gift for you." I see Lumen's head snap in the direction of her ex and she starts screaming through her gag. He moves to her. "Do you still want me to take it out?" I just shake my head.
"You did a shitty job."
"I'm sorry about him, you can have her if you want!"
"The only thing I want at the moment is my brother. Where is he?"
"He's fine, he's just sleeping off his hangover, he doesn't even know something's wrong."
"Where?!"
"He's at Emma's, my friend, she just spiked his beer, he's sleeping."
"How are you suppose to let her know to let him go?"
"We really didn't have any intentions of hurting him. She just waits on my text, but she would let him go either way. We really want you to join us. Hurting him would be just stupid." Yeah, because otherwise, you are such a bright birds.
"Who's us?"
"Well, me and Emma at the moment, but we can get the others, if we had you, we could continue Richard's wor-" He drops like a ton of bricks, he didn't even notice me raising my hands.
"Thank you very much, stupid asshole," I mutter. I look up to Lumen. Her eyes are fixed on the man lying on the ground. "Are you hurt?" I ask her. I have no idea what the prick did to her before I came. Her wide eyes move up to me and she shakes her head. "I'm gonna take that gag out, okay?" I swift nod. Alright. I reach to her and take it off. She works her jaw, but doesn't scream, she doesn't say anything either. She just keeps glancing to the, soon to be dead, body lying on the ground. I take out my knife to cut her ties. Seeing the wicked blade, she does yelp then, making me pause. "It's alright." I put my hands up in placating gesture, although still holding the knife in one. "Just gonna cut you lose darling, not gonna hurt you, you know that."
"Do I?" she ask shakily and the question makes me almost sad.
"Of course you do. You are my girl. You don't have to be scared of me. Ever." I crouch down to cut the ties on her legs, then stand up to cut the ones holding her arms up. When I do, she collapses right into my arms, as her legs, having the circulation cut off for too long, don't work right. She clings to me and turns her head left.
"Is he dead?"
"Who?" I look where she's looking, her ex. Right, I forgot about him. "Yeah, most likely. Do you want me to check?" She audibly gulps and I feel her nod against my chest.
"Please," she adds quietly.
I help her to move a little further away from the fuck lying on the ground and sit her against one of the trees. Then I go check on her ex. I know he's dead, she knows it too I think. She just needs the confirmation. I check the pulse, there is none. I look back at her and she's looking at me like she's waiting for me to make some kind of miracle or something. So I just shake my head and go back to her. She starts to cry again, but it's not hysterical. I can work with that. I squat in front of her and grab her arm. I want her to know I'm there for her, but I'm not sure how she feels about me right now.
"What about him?" She motions to Paul after she quiets some.
"He's very much alive, for now. I plan on changing that," I tell her carefully, I'm not sure how much of our conversation before did she get under all the stress. But we are here already, she's not stupid so let's deal with it.
"Good!" Okay, that was unexpected.
"You sure about that?"
"Yes, very." She doesn't even hesitate before answering. I push even more.
"You wanna stay for that? Or wait in the truck?"
"I wanna stay." Again. The answer is immediate.
"I'll cut Anthony down too, but I can't take him to the hospital or to the station. You know that right?" I ask slowly. Again not sure what her reaction will be.
"I know," she whispers, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Alright, just stay where you are," I tell her and get to work. First I get her ex's body out of the sight, then I maneuver Paul's body in the right position. The fucker is heavier than I thought. "I'm gonna be right back. He can't get out of these, don't worry." And with that, I leave to get the truck. I move it to my usual spot, which is closer and I take a pack of beers with me. Too bad I don't get anything stronger. I bet she'd appreciate it. If she's still there. I hope she is, she doesn't know the woods, if she got lost, she'd be as good as dead. But no, she's right there, at the exact spot I left her. I open two beers, hand her one and sit next to her.
"Thanks," she says quietly. "So now what?"
"Now we'll wait until he wakes up."
"Why?"
So I could watch him die properly. But I don't say that aloud, I just shrug. "I have a question for him, about Merle." We are quiet after that. Just drinking. We finish the first beer, I open the second one for her, then for me, and we just sit there and wait. About half way through the second beer, she breaks the silence.
"Is-Is this how-what usually-I mean-"
"-Yeah!" I help her out. She got it right, that's exactly what I do. There is no pressure for her to voice it out.
"And-" she stops to clear her throat and to take a big gulp. "And you won't stop doing that?"
I shrug again. "I don't know. I was actually thinking about it today, before all of this."
She turns to look at me then. "What were you thinking about?"
"About how at peace I was with you. When you are around. I was thinking about if maybe that could be enough. Just to be with you."
Her eyes go wide at that declaration. "Really? Do you-do you think-"
"-Yeah. You know, I think with you, it's the closest to love I could ever get."
"I do love you," she whispers, and just as she does, I hear Paul groan. Good, I can't wait to get rid of him and to go get Merle. That little bitch he's with will die too tonight. Can't wait for that.
I stand up and wait for him to fully wake up and get his focus back. When he does, he starts to hurl all the bad word he ever heard. He sounds like he's feeling betrayed. He really is stupid little fucker. Did he actually expect me to join their little club of misfits after the shit he pulled? Damn it, no wonder they didn't manage to find Lumen for so long, morons. Well, who would join some stupid ass fucked up cult in the first place?
When he's finally done with shouting insults at me, he starts with the pleading and I'm more and more bored. Why I even wait this time? There is only one thing I need to know from him. The address the bitch is with Merle.
"Shut up you stupid idiot. I thought you said you saw how this works. Have some balls. You know you're gonna die."
That shut him up right away. For a second. "No, you can't! You promised!"
"I didn't promise you shit! Now there are two ways this can go. You tell me the address, you die quickly, I'll have to get it out of you, which I will by the way, and you die slowly and painfully. Your pick."
"What? What address?"
"The address where I find Merle you stupid prick. Pay attention, it's the only thing I've been asking since I got here for Christ's sake. How stupid are you exactly?" Paul's eyes suddenly slides behind me. He opens his mouth but I punch him before he says anything. "Okay, I take it you are choosing the option number two." I grunt and take out my knife.
"No! No, I'll tell you! They are in a motel, what's the name? Blue Swallow motel, it's on the route 48, to north."
"Fuck, you really are one pathetic shit! Scared of knives, are we? I find that a little hypocritical." I'm saying as I search his pockets for his phone. I find it in one of his back pockets. Opening the messages, there's one from Emma. It's saying, 'Done, , room 207, route 48, south.'
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, hypocrite and a liar. I really can't say it was pleasure to meet you," I say and slowly bury the knife to his stomach. He starts screaming soon enough and cut his belly open, the gravity does its magic and his guts spill out. It's over very soon after that. I didn't even enjoy this one. They pissed me off too much for that. Suddenly there is a noise behind me. Oh, crap! Lumen! I look at her only to see her turn around and throw up. Fuck! I rush to her and try to help her, but she swats my hand away. So I just sit by her and wait, till she's done. When she is, I hand her the beer, and she takes it, glancing at me briefly then uses it to rinse her mouth. When she's done with that too, she makes a move as if to turn from the mess she made, but I catch her arm and stop her so she wouldn't look at Paul's insides hanging out again.
"Come on, let's go get Merle." I urge her to move with me, to get her out of here. I'll take care of Paul's body later, I'll be back soon enough with his friend anyway. Lumen moves with me, she seems a little dazed, but she moves. She gets inside the truck and I close the door for her, then go around to get in too and to start it. The sooner I'll have Merle the better. We can talk it out later, I'll tell her whatever she'll want. But Merle first.
When we got to the motel I look where the room 207 is. It's one of the rooms in the back. I can see her reasoning, but right now, I'm gonna profit from it. Stupid bitch! I leave Lumen in the car as she seems to be still in some kind of shock and go check the room. It's completely silent so I pull out Paul's phone and send a text. 'I'm here' and wait. The response is almost immediate 'be right there' that's all I need to know. I break down the door. Yeah, didn't intent to hurt your brother my ass. There is Merle, tied up in the chair, with bloody head. At least he's awake. I push the door so it seems close, then take the rug out of his mouth and start cutting his ties.
"Fucking whore!" Is the first thing leaving his mouth.
"You don't know half of it. Come on, let's go. Do you know where she went?"
"I have no fucking idea, the bitch smashed my head and that's all I know. I woke up in an empty room-"
"-Fuck" I hear a woman's voice whisper behind me. But before I even turn around, Merle is lunching at her. He obviously isn't above hitting woman, and he's as much pissed as I am. In time I make the whole turn, she's on the ground, not moving, bleeding from the mouth. I study her for a moment and she doesn't seem to be breathing either.
"I think she's dead, I guess you hit her a little too hard."
"Oh yeah? Well whatever! She wanted to play with big boys, there she goes," he says after spitting on the ground.
"We have to move her. I'll bring the truck. We'll put her under the cover on the bed. Then I'll take you and Lumen to your house and you wait for me while I go get rid of her and that fucker."
"Who?" Merle looks at me confused.
"I'll tell you details later, but in short, this bitch had an asshole friend Paul, does the name ring a bell? Black impala?" I can see the second it clicks in his head. "Well she got you, and he got Lumen today, he had her ex ready too, what for? That I'll tell you later. The good news is, that you are alright, and they are dead. The bad news is, Lumen now knows everything and I'm not sure how she's handling it. She talked to me in the woods, and she seemed okay, but then she saw me kill Paul and kinda shot down on me. So I need you to look after her. And be nice."
"I'm always nice to her!" Merle says, sounding offended. "Go get the truck, we have to be moving this party."
And that's what I did. The place is deserted so we could maybe even leave her here, but why risk it. I back the truck up to the room and we quickly put her body in the back. We get in and when Lumen sees Merle I see her react for the first time since we left the woods. She turns to him.
"Hey Merle, I'm glad you're okay," she whispers.
"Hey sweetheart, I'm glad to see you too," he tells her and pulls her in for a hug, where she stays for the rest of the ride to his place. Before they get out Merle looks at me over her head and gives me a little wink. Yeah, I think she'll be okay too.
I'm almost out of the town when I see a police car behind me, signaling for me to pull over. I have the bed covered, so I do just that.
"Good evening may I see your license, proof of insurance and registration please?"
I pass it to him and wait. He goes back to his car to run it through the system I guess. He doesn't look at all concerned, routine traffic stop, that's what this it. So far so good and I'll be gone soon enough. The cop comes back few minutes later, handing the documents back to me.
"Thank you." But then he looks at me again, his eyes zoomed on something on my shirt. My shirt! Fuck! I didn't change. Suddenly there is gun in his hand. "Will you please step out of the vehicle? Put your hands where I can see them. Put 'em on the hood."
He then moves the cover and looks in the bed of the truck. I know exactly what he sees. I'm fucked!
"Oh my God! Get on your knees, right now! Down! Put your hands where I can see them!"