Los-Angeles, June 2022

Two weeks before end of June. Hot…sun is not shining. It's roasting everything.

Routine work for regular cop.

I have very strange feelings today. Atmosphere is so dense; it seems like you can cut it with a knife. Every moving is slow for me as slow motion video.

My partner is in a very good mood, unlike me. And I understand him. Today is Nick's last day in LAPD. In one week, he's moving to Hawaii with his family. New place, new life. I'm tired of California but not brave enough to move somewhere and honestly don't have enough money for that.

The crackle of the walkie-talkie interrupts my thoughts:

- One-one eight, one-one eight, answer! One-one eight, one-one eight, answer! Over.

- One-one eight listening. Over.

- 1013 South Englewood Avenue.

- Any weapons?

- No information. A neighbor called. Strongly frightened.

- Roger!

Near the ordinary old house, we getting out of the car.

- Why are you taking off your vest? - asks Nick in surprise.

- Come on! To drag an extra three pounds on myself. Five minutes of work. Now let's go, calm down the family and the shift will end. To calm noisy husband, putting on a vest is ridiculous.

- I'm not agree with you this time. The rules are rules, - Nick sighed and put on his body armor.

Yard is empty, doors are opened.

-Weird place, - said Nick.

Suddenly we see woman on the floor. She's trying to say something.

-Ma'am…- I leaned towards her and checked pulse, - What's happened?

Woman only opened her lips without any sound.

Nick and I made the fatal mistake of not checking the house. A man came out of the bathroom with an automatic rifle in his hands.

-You all are done.

It's too late. I understand that I do not have time…

Bodycam records my last seconds.

I have always been kind, helped homeless animals, protected people from criminals. Why did this happen to me?

Darkness…