Chapter 22
Gun aimed out in front of him, John stalked slowly down the hallway of the Hole. Every room he came upon, he peeked inside to see if Shawn was there. So far, no such luck. He had to find him. He just had to. He came to the 11th cell on the left and looked in.
Finally.
He found Shawn.
Shawn was restrained to the right-side wall by his wrists and ankles, holding him in place. His head was hanging low, but John could tell that he was still alive. John looked left and right, then stepped into the cell. He tucked the gun in the back of his jeans as he approached Shawn.
"Shawn," John whispered. "Shawn, it's me."
Shawn moaned as he raised his head. Bruises and cuts on his face.
John shook his head back and forth. "Oh, Shawn. I'm so sorry."
"You're here," Shawn said tiredly. "That's all that matters."
John took a closer look at the leather straps around Shawn's wrists. A small lock kept the straps secured.
"I'm gonna get you out of here. Where is it?"
"Ramirez has it. In his right pants pocket."
John cursed. The two men locked eyes as John made a face clearing his throat.
"Excuse me. I meant 'shoot'."
Shawn nodded. "Forgiven."
"Where's Ramirez then?"
"Looking for me?"
John and Shawn looked to see Ramirez standing in the doorway of the cell. John stepped away from cell retrieving the gun from his jeans and aiming at the murderous man.
"Welcome, John. But, I thought you would have been dead by now."
"Obviously, that didn't happen."
"Hmm," Ramirez said with a shrug. "No problem. I'll just do that myself. After I rid the world of this weasel."
"That's not gonna happen either," John answered cocking the gun.
Ramirez stepped into the cell as John kept the gun pointed at him.
"And you seem absolutely sure of that? So, your intention is to kill me. But, can you even do it?"
Ramirez stepped closer. "Maybe, the better question to ask you is this: can you kill me..." Ramirez pointed a finger at Shawn before finishing. "in front of a religious man?"
John's blue eyes met Shawn. Shawn lowered his eyes to the floor. John exhaled a breath before meeting Ramirez' gaze. John uncocked the gun.
"No," John replied honestly.
Shawn looked up.
"I can't and I won't."
Ramirez tilted his head to the left. "And why not?"
"One of the Ten Commandments states this: Thou Shalt Not Kill."
A small smile appeared on Shawn's bruised and battered face.
"But, you're a cop."
"I only go as far as shooting someone in the arm or leg to stop them. I'm a lot of things, but a killer is not one of them. I'd rather see someone brought to justice."
John tossed the gun to the right.
"You're strong. You're clear-headed. You're a good man. I'll give you that. However..."
Ramirez brought his right foot up into John's injured midsection doubling him over.
"Being a good man isn't always the best way to be."
Ramirez connected with a back-spinning heel kick to John's face knocking him to the floor. Ramirez walked over and picked up the gun John threw aside. He walked over to where John lay.
"Get up, Shaw. To your knees. Kneel before me."
John groaned as he made it to his knees. The heel kick made a cut to John's right cheek. Blood leaked from the cut.
"I'm afraid your time on Earth is coming to an end. But, I'm not entirely heartless. Shawn. This will be the last man you save. So ask him. Ask him if he believes."
Shawn looked over at John. "John, do you repent of your past sins?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the tomb on the third day?"
"Yes."
"John...do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"
John exhaled a shaky breath before he answered.
"Yes," John whispered.
Ramirez smirked as he aimed the gun at John's head. He cocked the gun.
"The time has come. Time to meet your Maker. Are you ready?"
John released one more breath from his lungs. "I'm ready."
Shawn closed his eyes turning his head away.
"Say hello to Jesus for me."
Ramirez had his finger on the trigger...
*BANG*
"AAAHHH!" Ramirez cried out hitting the floor.
A bullet struck Ramirez in the back of the right leg.
John panted looking down at Ramirez. He looked up and saw Captain Mark Calaway standing in the doorway of the cell lowering his gun.
"Officers! Arrest that man. Now."
Some officers came over and handled Ramirez pulling him to his feet. He cried out at the pain in his leg. Mark walked over extending his hand to John and assisting him to his feet. Mark inspected the bruises and scrapes on his deputy's face.
"Oh, John..."
"It was Brodie. All Brodie. Well," he said pointing to the fresh cut on his right cheek. "Except this one. Ramirez."
"Brodie did that? You two always liked making it look real."
"A little too real. Especially, when we used to be partners."
The officers whom had Ramirez restrained were getting ready to walk him out of the cell.
"Wait," John said.
He walked over to the cops and Ramirez. He put his hand in Ramirez' right pants pocket and pulled out the key to the lock on the leather straps still around Shawn's wrists. He passed the key to two other officers so they could assist Shawn. He stepped even closer to Ramirez, nose-to-nose with the criminal. He remembered the words spoken to him, the very words Ramirez spoke to him, his first night there.
"Welcome to Hell, boy. You're gonna love it here. Get him out of here."
The officers led Ramirez away as Shawn was being helped from his restraints. He was being held up by the other 2 officers assisting him. John approached him.
"Thank you, John."
"You're welcome. I'm sorry for your friends."
Shawn nodded before he was guided out of the cell leaving Mark and John by themselves. Mark stepped behind John and sighed. Their eyes met.
"Nice work, Johnny."
"Johnny? When was the last time you called me that?"
"Just now," Mark said with a smile.