"Okay... okay, calm down. I'll put the gun down," the black officer said, trying to calm the situation. He slowly placed his weapon on the ground, keeping a close eye on the assailant.
Seeing the officer disarmed, the dreadlocked thug relaxed slightly, holding the little girl hostage. He glanced around, noting the crowd of onlookers. Their faces reflected fear, worry, and disdain.
"You should let the girl go. Originally, you were just facing robbery charges, but taking hostages will lead to a harsher sentence," the officer advised, raising his hands to show he was unarmed.
"...No way, kick the gun over! Get me a car," the thug demanded after a moment's hesitation.
"I can't go back to jail. It's hell. Many of my friends have disappeared in there. Going back means death!" He and his crew often targeted Asians, finding it an easier and quicker job. But recently, many of their group had gone missing, never heard from again after being arrested.
"I can ensure your safety, okay?" the officer replied calmly, knowing the hostage's safety was paramount.
But his words sparked discontent among the crowd.
"Hey, what are you saying, officer? Just shoot him!"
"Did I hear that right? You're protecting him?"
"We don't need you to protect us!"
"Why is he here? Did you bring him deliberately?"
"If it were anyone else, he would have been shot by now!"
The crowd's grumbling grew, fueled by racial tensions.
Turner, the officer, was Brazilian. Growing up in a challenging environment, he made his way to the U.S. and became a police officer. In New York, being a black officer brought additional pressures, especially during law enforcement. His job was more demanding, often facing racial insults.
Despite this, Turner loved his job and needed it, enduring the hardships. Over time, his colleagues began to accept him, recognizing his dedication.
But on the streets, situations like today were inevitable.
Frustrated by the crowd's misunderstanding and the ongoing hostage situation, Turner shouted, "Shut up!"
His outburst silenced the crowd, momentarily stunned.
Turner took a breath, focusing on the thug, who sneered back, mocking him.
"See, they look down on you, and you're trying to please them!" the thug taunted, tightening his grip on the knife, motioning for Turner to kick the gun over.
"Alright, but relax a bit. You're choking the kid," Turner said, kicking the gun away.
As the thug relaxed, the girl's face flushed, and she coughed as she was finally able to breathe.
"Dina..." her mother called out, worried.
The thug, about to retrieve the gun, crouched down.
"Is the sniper in position?" Turner whispered into his headset, seizing the opportunity.
"Finding a spot. Sheriff George is here with backup."
As the words echoed, sirens blared, and police cars arrived.
The thug, hearing the sirens, panicked, fumbling with the gun.
---
Nearby, hidden in a box, Big White watched the dagger at the girl's neck.
When the thug's attention wavered at the sound of sirens, the dagger transformed in Big White's mind into a tempting chicken wing. He burst from the box and leaped.
"Ah!!" The thug screamed as Big White's jaws clamped onto his wrist, making him drop the dagger.
Holding the girl, Big White released his grip, jumped again, twisted, and delivered a powerful kick!
"Ada!"
George, exiting his car, along with the police and onlookers, stood stunned, witnessing an unforgettable sight.
A giant panda, cradling a little girl, leaped and delivered a flawless kick to the thug's head.
"Bang!" The blow was solid, and the thug collapsed silently.
---
"Kung Fu! China!" A voice exclaimed excitedly, energizing the crowd.
"Oh shit! What did I just see?"
"Mom! I saw a panda doing Kung Fu!"
"My God! It's Big White, the panda with mysterious Eastern powers, in New York!"
"Didn't the Smithsonian take him away?"
"This panda must be the reincarnation of a martial arts master!"
Once the initial shock wore off, the crowd and police buzzed with excitement, snapping photos of the heroic panda.
"...Thank you!" The rescued girl looked up at Big White with wide eyes, her fear replaced by gratitude.
"You're welcome!" Big White replied, patting her head with his paw, leaving a fine layer of dust in her hair.