Elisa turned to run, but was just a beat too slow. She tried backing up another step, just to get out of arm's reach, but the man managed to grab her jacket.
Within one heartbeat and the next, he had swung her around, and gotten her in a rear hold, his arms threaded under Elisa's arms and curled up to her shoulders.
"Dude," someone yelled. "What are you doing?"
"What the hell, man?" another said, trying to break the man's hold on her but struggling to find a hold. "Knock it off! She's a cop!"
The man holding Elisa didn't say a word, but it felt like he was attempting to squeeze harder than she'd have thought possible.
As people began alternately calling to the man, calling for help, and trying to pry the man's arms from her, Elisa realized that she was in serious trouble. Her arms were pinned up, and her weapon was exposed. She had to get out of this.
Elisa allowed herself to go absolutely limp. People didn't realize how hard it was to hold someone like that, and most weren't prepared for it, which is why they taught this move to people in "what to do if you're taken hostage" training. By going limp, a hostage taker would have to drop their weapon to catch you or drag a limp body when they were trying to make an escape. Most criminals didn't want to expend the energy.
By using this tactic now, she managed to slip out of his hold and landed on one knee. With her hands balled together, she managed to ram her right elbow into the man's abdomen before rolling free.
It surprised the man, knocking enough of his air out to drop him onto all fours. He raised his head and glared at her before letting out a roar of rage and rose to run at her.
He didn't get far before another roar met his, and suddenly he was off his feet and in the air being carried by Brooklyn and Broadway.
"Elisa," Angela called, coming to a running stop because of her speed. "Are you alright."
Elisa held her right hand against her left shoulder, rotating it to try to assess damage, but even though it felt a little sore, she didn't think there was any major damage.
"I'm fine," Elisa said, dropping her arms to her sides.
There was a commotion behind them as Elisa turned to see a small army of gargoyles, Brooklyn, Broadway and Hudson, all led by a thunderous looking Goliath, made their way through the crowd.
"Elisa," Goliath said, approaching the two females. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head. "I'm fine, Big Guy. Really," she added when he didn't look as if he believed her. She turned to look in the direction that the woman had gone, and was not surprised to find the street empty.
She sighed, bowing her head to hide her irritation before looking up with her professional face back in place.
"Brooklyn. Broadway," she called, motioning them forward. "Did you guys see the woman who was talking with me before all that happened?"
The two males shared a look before turning back to Elisa.
"No, sorry," Broadway said.
"I didn't see anyone with you," Brooklyn admitted, then clarified while pointing over one shoulder, "Well, except for the guy we took for a ride," he clarified.
"Angela?" Elisa asked.
Angela slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Elisa. I didn't see anyone with you."