The next moments seemed to go by in slow motion. It was such a short time, and yet it contained lifetimes.
The caramel apple hardball hit its mark - the would be shooter's wrist. He cried out in pain, jumped as the gun discharged, released the gun, and grabbed his injured wrist almost simultaneously.
In the blink of an eye, Sloan was upon the man. The Desert Storm veteran tossed the weapon well out of reach, then put the apparent would be shooter into a choke hold.
"Get off me," snarled the man, as he tried to break free.
"You don't hurt kids, not on my watch," Sloan growled. He applied pressure until the other man reluctantly quieted.
People pulled out phones. Some to take pictures, and others to call for help. Several people had shrieked when they heard the shot. But a couple of those who had a good view began to applaud. Soon the applause became deafening.
In the distance, sirens could be heard despite the noise. They grew steadily louder until they overpowered the roar of the excited crowd.
Just in time, the first patrol car rolled to a stop as a boy dragging a large footlocker arrived. Several other children were close on his heels, each carrying a large cardboard anchor, compass, and spyglass. The treasure hunt was officially over.
"What's going on?" a girl asked, as she took off a large pirate hat.
"That's what we're here to find out, Miss. Or is it Captain?" replied one of the young officers who stepped out of the patrol car.
"I can't believe that bullet didn't hit anything," marveled the senior officer, as he inspected the hole in the now captive man's jeans.
"Would've served him right," muttered the girl who had arranged the event.
This caused uncontrollable laughter amongst the adults, and confused looks from the kids.
The girl blushed, and almost turned beet red as she saw a camera crew making a beeline for the scene. "Here's our hero," she shouted, rushing towards Sloan, as if he had just saved her instead of the children which were now staring at the scene curiously.
The camera crew was soon joined by others, who now formed a ring around Sloan and the senior officer.
"Miss Hiro, Channel Two News here. I'm live at the scene of what is being reported by eyewitnesses as an attempted shooting," the attractive reporter said, as she approached the two men.
"Officer, can you please give us the details on what just happened? Was anyone injured?" she asked, holding her microphone out.
"I'm sorry, Miss Hiro. I can't comment on this situation yet," he replied politely.
"How about you, Sir? Can you please give us an eyewitness account?" she asked Sloan.
"That's up to him," the officer spoke up quickly, seeing the guy with the distant stare as his best chance at a clean escape from the media circus.
"I've got your name, please call me at the number on my card within twenty-four hours," he said, shaking the veteran's hand before melting into the crowd.
Sloan was still staring into space, obviously somewhere far away.
Miss Hiro carefully moved in close, only inches from him. He still didn't appear to notice her. She brushed the microphone gently against his chest, and he blinked rapidly, seeing her for the first time.
"Miss Hiro, Channel Two News. Can I please ask you a few questions?" she tried, feeling tentative.
"Uh, sure... I guess so. I already told the police everything I know," he replied. Wiping a bead of sweat from his face, he took a deep breath.
"So I was watching the kids do this treasure hunt thing. I got here right before it started, and it looked like fun," he said.
"You were just a spectator? You didn't have a child participating?" she asked.
"That's right, I was just enjoying the festival," he replied with a forced smile.
"From what I've heard, it's a very good thing that you were here. Do you have any children of your own?" the reporter asked, not believing her luck at getting an exclusive.
"No, I don't have any kids. My wife left a few months after I got back from my first tour of duty," he replied, his eyes beginning to glaze again.
"Ah, you're a veteran then?" she asked, eagerly digging. "Don't mess this up, Hiro. It's probably the biggest story you've ever covered," she thought to herself.
"Yeah, Desert Storm. She just became so distant, but it was my fault. I kept zoning out. Even though I'm here, sometimes I'm there too. But I'm not doing it as often any more," he assured her.
"Do you have any children?" she asked.
"No, we wanted to, but it just never happened," he replied.
"You were certainly brave today! What do you do for a living?" she asked.
"I haven't been able to find work since I was discharged from the military. I have PTSD, and despite having signed statements that it won't be an issue, nobody wants to give me a chance," he replied, staring at his worn out shoes.
"Where do you stay? Do you have family around here?" asked Miss Hiro.
"Last night I stayed in a cardboard box, but the rain made it cave in on me. And no, my only family is a brother who I haven't heard from in nine years," he replied, grimacing at the memory of the cold water.
"Then you're basically alone in this world," she said, beginning to lose her professional composure.
"Pretty much. Society tends to keep guys like me at arm's length. I feel like I still have a lot to offer, but nobody wants me around," he replied with a tinge of sadness, but no bitterness.
"If you had a chance at a job, what would you choose?" she asked curiously.
"Well... When I was sixteen I worked in a pet shop. Not the kind that had a bunch of animals, but one that focused on supplies - and fish. The aquariums were my favorite part of the job. On quiet days I could sit there and watch them for hours," replied Sloan, obviously savoring the memory.
"He really can zone out at the drop of a hat. But he was very much in the present when it mattered most," she thought, as she tried to focus on the job at hand.
"Thank you for your service to our country, Sir. And thank you for the interview! Would you be willing to do a follow-up, in say a week?" she asked hopefully.
"Uh... I guess so, it's not like I have anywhere else to be," he replied uncertainly.
One month later:
"Hey little fella, how do you like your new home?" whispered Sloan, as he watched a tiny seahorse explore its new environment.
After watching the creature for several minutes, the peaceful moment was interrupted by heels clicking on the linoleum floor.
"Hi, Miss Hiro. Are you here to schedule another interview?" he asked.
"No, I just wanted to see how things are working out," she replied with a smile.
"Arthur's Aquarium is everything I hoped for, and more. It's become more of a home - no, a sanctuary - than a job. I've managed to find peace here. And it doesn't hurt having a real apartment to go home to at night either," he added.
"I'm really happy for you," she said.
"It never would have happened without you and Channel Two News. Arthur never would have heard my story, and I would probably still be living in leaky boxes," he replied.
"You're the one who saved those kids. The way that guy raved about trying to protect them by sending them somewhere better was scary... I'll say it again - the world is a safer place with you in it," the reporter said, with a genuine smile on her face.
Describe what you see:
I see a seahorse. It's either in a very nice tank or the ocean.
Describe what you feel:
I feel peaceful. Sea creatures always do that to me :)
This has also been a Dreemport Word Of The Week Challenge Post. Prompt words used:
Time
Distant
Sanctuary