Chapter 7 The Goodness in People
An hour later, the July sun was beating down on their side of the building and through the window. Phineas didn't know the temperature, but everyone was sweating. The stench from the bodies in the corner was stronger. The water had been finished a long time ago. The phone rang again and Lucas picked it up, while Ray continued to watch them all.
"They say the car's there, check on it," Lucas said to Ray.
"Yep, it is," Ray answered moving to the window to get a look at the front of the building.
"Alright, we'll send them out," Lucas said to the phone. "The kids parent's should walk out now," he ordered the hostages.
To Bogg's relief, there was no problem with who to send out. The hostages had silently agreed amongst themselves on a "husband" for the boy's mother. One of the men had been closer to her age and the other an older gentlemen. The younger man walked out with the boy's mother, both of them giving Phineas a grateful look as they left. Now it was just Phineas and the older man.
"More than one hostage is too much trouble," the older man said to Lucas, "send him out too," he motioned to Bogg as he spoke.
Bogg's jaw dropped open. This man was willing to sacrifice himself to allow him to go free. He smiled to himself at this selfless act. He was always amazed at the goodness in people. As his gaze strayed to the two dead bodies that were pushed against the wall, he thought how odd it was for him to be thinking about how good people could be, at this particular time. As he thought about it, he realized again that bad experiences sometimes bring out the best in people, as though hardship was needed to bring kindness into the world.
Suddenly he heard a thud and the room began to fill with smoke. He got into a crouched position as quietly as he could, unsure what would happen, but wanting to be ready. He heard one shot and saw Ray fall back away from the window. Lucas looked stunned, and in that instant Phineas pushed off the floor and launched himself across the desk, tackling him.