The store door groaned open and Officer Gina’s flashlight caught the white streak of hair before anything else. “Freeze!” she shouted.
Damien “Skunk” didn't freeze. He spun from the shelves containing canned tunas and veggies, a canvas bag full of the foods clutched against his chest, his eyes wide in shock. Then he narrowed them as his other hand came up from his coat pocket with something black and heavy in it.
Officer Briggs, two steps behind Officer Gina, grabbed her collar and pulled her sideways behind a steel filing cabinet. The shot punched a hole in the wall where Gina’s head had been.
“That skunk has a gun!” Briggs yelled which Gina felt was unnecessary.
“Yeah, I noticed, Briggs!”
“I'm just saying. Skunk is a cat burglar and picks locks. It's not his MO to carry or use a gun.”
“People change.” Gina drew her own weapon and peeked around the cabinet. The store room was lit only by the amber glow of a light bulb. Damien Skunk had retreated behind the open door, using it as a shield. His breath came in ragged puffs.
“Skunk!” She called.
“Don't call me that,” he snapped.
“You can't stay out of trouble, can you? Now it's a supermarket? You are surrounded. Put that gun down.”
“Nope, can't do that, Officer. I haven't eaten for days now.”
“And a prison cell is worth all this?”
“Doesn't matter. No one's willing to give me a job.”
Briggs leaned close. “Ma'am, I'm going to flank him. Cover me.”
“No. Stay put.”
But Briggs was twenty-four, fresh out of academy and bulletproof in his own mind, and already crawling along the wall toward the far shelves contrary to his superior’s instruction.
Officer Gina swore under her breath and fired a warning shot into the ceiling to hold Damien's attention. Plaster rained down on them. Damien fired back, twice and the bullets sang off the cabinet.
Then Briggs’ voice came from the shadows, strangely calm. “Ma'am? Please hold your fire.”
“Briggs?”
“Just look.”
Gina peeked again as Damien stepped out from behind the door, his hands raised, the black object dangling from one finger. In the amber light, she could see it clearly now. It was a heavy staple gun, the kind used for upholstery, its nose cracked and dented.
“Oh, for heaven sake!” she said. “I'll kill you myself, Skunk.”
“I said don't call—It jammed on the third go. I was going for the click effect so I can leave with my groceries.”
Gina stood up. “You fire a staple gun at a police officer.”
“No. I fire it near a police officer. There's a difference.” He glanced at the ceiling. “Though I did not expect you to fire a real one.”
“That was a warning shot…and quit trying to distract me. You're under arrest for burglary and, uh, assault with a stapler.”
“You've got to be kidding me!”
Briggs emerged at that point from the shadows and snapped the cuffs on Damien, trying very hard not to laugh.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "that skunk has a gun!”.
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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay