[Let The World Burn] - Chapter 1

Instructions

The next day at work, Deacon was in the interview room organizing a few boxes of case files before he heard the alarm go off on his phone. He laid a box of files down before reaching in his back pocket, pulling his phone out and looked down at it. "Heavy-armed kidnapping. Location: LA County courthouse." Deacon's heart dropped to the floor. He rushed out of the interview room and quickly approached the situation room. When he went inside, he stopped. Looking around, he saw the whole squad standing around the table. Commander Hicks came inside the room a short while later, holding a tablet. One look at him, and David began rapidly asking questions "Do we have any info of the kidnapping? Who is the victim? Who is the--" "Woah Deac, calm down!" Hicks said, holding up his hand. Though it was the slight grim tone that shut him up. Deacon's gaze locked with his, until the old man turned to the rest of the squad. "News of the kidnapping came through a nine-one-one call. The kidnapping happened at 10:47am, and the caller said they only saw four people dressed in all black wearing black skull bandanas on the lower halves of their faces----" "Four people? Seems like a small gang." Alfaro inttrupted. "Yeah it is. The caller also identified them only kidnapping one woman..." Hicks said, looking over at Alfaro. It was that moment, Deacon could've sworn his heart stopped. His breathing deepened, eyes widened. His prediction was slowly coming true. Little by little. Powell glanced over at Deacon, upon hearing his deep breathing. Her eyebrow arched in concern. "Hey Deac, is everything alright?" She asked. Her voice made him come back to reality. Deacon swallowed past the lump in his throat as he forced himself to looked around the room. All eyes were upon him. It was like everyone expected an answer. But Deacon looked back at the commander. "Who's the caller? Any I.D?" He asked, avoiding Powell's question. Hicks nodded, while the caller's I.D popped up on the screen. "Her name's Diana Clark. A law student who was participating in the mock trial that was going to happen at eleven today..." Deacon looked down at his watch. 11:03am. Then he looked back up at Hicks. "Who's the victim?" He asked, desperation filled his tone. Silence. The only sound audiable to ones ear, was the slight buzzing from the lights above. Hicks shifted slightly. Deacon kept his eyes on him, seeing that he looked hesitant, which made him feel no better. "Commander....." He pressed, jaw clenching slightly. Hicks exhaled slowly through his nose. "Diana told dispatch everything...." He trailed off. "Did dispatch send any information on the victim?" Hondo asked, glancing at Hicks with a raised eyebrow. "Yes...." He replied, slowly tapping the tablet's screen before swiping it up on the screen with a sigh. It looked and sounded like he never wanted to show it. Everyone turned to the screen, then everyone understood why. Hondo tensed. Powell put her hand on her mouth. Alfaro's jaw dropped. Tan's eyes widened. But Deacon...he was the most taken back. He gripped on the edge of the table like it was the only thing that could hold him up. He began shaking just the slightest. Feelings of rage, guilt, and fear hit him like a brick, making him feel overwhelmed. Everyone was in to much shock to even move. But then Deacon looked up from the screen. "They took Annie..." He said quietly, interrupting the defeaning silence. His voice wavered slightly. "...........she's the kidnapping victim."