Team One had split into Alpha and Bravo teams while Greg began to solidify the information together in preparation for his negotiation. There were many aspects of this job that unsettled him, and dealing with troubled youth in the night definitely made it to the top five.
Okay, we've got a couple of teenagers surrounded by trees in the darkness, possibly under the influences of drugs and alcohol, which could lead to a gun being fired. I'll ask Winnie to check recent calls, see if any of those contacts might be the other guy here. Also check to see if there are any registered weapons. Registration makes this a bit easier.

The SRU use small flashlights and thermal sensors to locate the teenagers, trying to stay out of sight. They had turned off their sirens and police lights at the forest's entrance and set a roadblock there to detract interruptions. Being caught 'sneaking around' would probably cause additional strife, and they did not want the situation to escalate any further.

"We got movement, upper left sector," Spike's voice cut clearly through the night. "Subject is armed and agitated. Approach with caution."
"Copy that, Bravo, we're on the way to enclose the perimeter," Jules replies as she and Lew circled back around. Jogging, they meet up with the Sarge and Sam a couple yards away from the two boys, hidden in a small enclave of trees.
"We're less lethal until I say we're not. Clear? Rubber bullets and shields if necessary, but nothing that's going to push these guys further back," Greg instructs his team. While Alpha and Bravo take their required equipment and carefully close the perimeter, Sergeant Parker motions for Sam to cover him as they approach the scene.

Sitting on a fallen log in a clearing of trees is a young man with sandy hair, gesturing with his hands while he speaks. Another young man, the one with a gun, is rocking furiously back and forth a foot away. He looks up and sees the two negotiators, realization dawning on him. Sebastian turns to the guy he once considered to be his best friend and mouths the word 'why?' over and over again. Zack's eyes show an amazing amount of emotion, it's almost as if he is reading Seb's mind and answering all the unspoken questions with his face. The friends manage to stand up together while knowing that they are facing these negotiators apart.
There's no need for a megaphone. The night air is silent, cooperating.

"My name is Sergeant Gregory Parker, I'm with the Strategic Response Unit," the shorter negotiator begins. Gesturing to his partner, Greg says "This is Constable Sam Braddock. We're here to talk," he continues gently, conveying a sense of honesty.
Sebastian and Zack just stand, unsure how to proceed. Who's supposed to talk back to the officers, the one who placed the calls or the cause of those calls?
"Zachary Adams?" Greg asks which elicits a slight nod. "You called emergency services for medical assistance earlier. That was a very smart move." He didn't mention the anonymous tip about substances, it was clear to him that both boys are red-eyed and shifty, but resulting from sleep deprivation and malnutrition. EMS on standby was a smart move by both parties. "We all want to return home safely tonight."

Safely? Am I really that dangerous now, do they really need that shield up? Home? Is there anywhere for me now, after all this? Shit, have the officers told the parental unit about me? Of course they have, I'm holding a gun from my uncle's basement.
"Can you help us understand why we're out here tonight?" Greg asks, attempting to connect, seeing his team all around.
He wants my help? Me? Help him? How can I possibly help him? I can't even bring myself to open my mouth. Everything I say comes back to hurt me.

"What's your name, son?" tries Greg.
"Seb-Sebastian," comes the nervous reply.
"Thank you for telling me that, Sebastian. I find it's easier to have a conversation when we both know each other's names. Sebastian, I would really appreciate if you could please lower your weapon. It will be more comfortable for us to talk face-to-face, without these distractions," Greg states while pointing to his shield in Sam's hand and the gun in Seb's.
The young man holds on to his pistol tightly, then shifts it from being held by his chest to his thighs. This action doesn't go unnoticed by anyone. Everyone's aware of the gravity of the situation, and all wait for the interaction to continue between Seb and the Sarge.
"That's good, that's very good, Sebastian," comes the positive reinforcement from the lead negotiator. "Can I ask you what you're thinking? What brought you here today, son?"

The truth? I'm just so scared all the time, there's so much pain-
"I just needed some space to clear my head," Seb mumbles a reply while studying his sneakers.
"You gonna tell the truth?" Zack asks his friend. "You gonna be honest with me?" These words are out of the negotiator's earshot, but not the emotions they convey.
"Not good. I'll redirect Zack's attention, Sam-you take the lead on Sebastian," Greg speaks softly.
"'Course, it's always about you," Seb begins to pace again, the gun begins to pass from hand to hand again. His eyes scan his surroundings rapidly, attempting to see clearly in the dim light of the moon. His gaze lands on the SRU negotiators, and for a second he begins to think there are more officers in the forest. I'm just being paranoid, that's all. I should talk and talk until I can't anymore and they'll have no choice but to-
"Sebastian?" Zack tentatively asks. "The lead guy's motioning for me to walk over to him. I don't want to leave-"
"Go," comes the bitter reply. "Go over to those guys and tell 'em what you told me earlier, that this isn't what it looks like, that I'm clearly 100% okay." Sarcasm laced words, and his friend didn't know what to make of them. Man, I really don't want to leave you here. I know that this looks rough, and that's because it is, but I wanna do what's best for you. Right now, that's going over to the 'enemy', delivering 'secrets'. I'm so sorry, friend. My only wish right now is to make sure that you're okay.

No further words are spoken, and a hundred thoughts travel telepathically between them. Eventually it's too much for Zack to handle. He looks over at his friend's face, the one overcome with dread, and at the faces of the negotiators, strategies humming wildly through their brains, hoping to snag one that will help Sebastian.
Please don't hate me, please don't hate me Zack mentally directs towards Sebastian while please help him, please help him directs towards Sergeant Parker and Constable Braddock as he walks to meet them beyond the clearing.