On August 13th, 3016, it was a hot day as the sun shined down in Jahtan. In a backyard, children cheered as Sado entertained them with his tricks. Sado, dressed in white pants and a black shirt, bows in front of the crowd.
Sado: "Thank you for having me, but I have to go now. And remember kids, it's real if you believe it!"
Sado walks away and heads to his van. He shuts the door behind him and lies back in his seat, exhausted. A buzz hits his pocket, startling him. He picks up the phone in a haste.
Sado: "Yes, Mila?"
Mila: "Mr. Talman, yes. Um... I've picked Salsabil up from school. Just letting you know."
Salsabil: "Hi Papa!"
Sado's face lights up.
Sado: "Hey, Salsa! Are you well?"
Salsabil: "Mhm."
Sado: "I'll see you later, ok?"
Salsabil: "OK. Love you."
Sado: "I love you too."
Mila: "Bye."
The phone hangs up, van becoming silent. Sado sits straight back up and starts the car.
Sado: "No time to rest."
Sado heads on for his next shift. Time passes and night begins to fall. Sado arrives at his apartment block and heads upstairs. Cigarette smoke filled the air as he walked passed the lower halls. He finally reaches his floor and opens his house door.
Sado: "Anybody home?"
Rushing around the corner, Salsabil jumps straight at him and hugs him tightly.
Salsabil: "Papa!"
Salsabil is a girl, no more than eight years old, with long, curly hair, brown eyes and a tanned complexion.
Sado: "Salsa! How are you?"
Salsabil: "I'm good. Me and Mila are drawing."
Sado: "Oh? What have you drawn?"
Salsabil: "Mountains!"
Mila: "We still need to color them."
Mila walks around the corner to them.
Sado: "Uhm, Salsa. Go finish the coloring. Papa wants to speak with Mila alone, alright?"
Salsabil: "OK."
Salsabil walks away.
Sado: "I know it was short notice, but I'm really grateful you could cover for my parents. I'll add onto the fee for that."
Mila: "No, no. It's alright Mr. Talman. This one is free of charge. The least I could do for you being such a welcoming neighbor."
Sado: "I'm forever grateful."
Mila: "... Look. I know this isn't my place to say, but about the food..."
Sado: "Yeah... I'm trying my best here. Ever since her mother up and left, it's been hard. I've tried to make ends meet with these jobs but I have an interview today, and if all goes well, I'll steadily improve our situation."
Mila: "That's great to hear."
Sado: "Salsa!"
Salsabil runs to her father.
Sado: "I'm going somewhere for a little bit. You'll mind staying with Aunty Mila for a little bit, ok?"
Salsabil: "OK, Papa."
Sado hugs her but notices her upset face.
Sado: "Oh, what's that? Ice cream? That's a great idea! How about some ice cream, Salsa?!"
She immediately smiles.
Salsabil: "Yes, please! The strawberry one!"
Sado: "Haha! No problem. Alright, I'm off. Bye!"
Salsabil: "Bye!"
She waves him off as he leaves. Later that night, at an office, Sado is sat in front of an interviewer in a room.
Interviewer: "Hmm, your physicals and test scores seem up to par. However, for your interested path, there are plenty of other candidates with the same, if not more. I'm just not sure you'r-"
Sado: "Please, do not say it. My scores aren't a true indicator of who I am. I truly need this, and have what it takes. I will do anything to provide for my child. Please tell me there is a way."
Interviewer: "It's a dangerous job being an officer, you know? And it says here you are a single parent. How do you plan to raise your kid if you unfortunately don't make it back from the job one day?"
Sado, sat there in silence with that response.
Sado: "There has to be something here... something I can do."
Interviewer: "Hmm... it's not completely hopeless, I'll say that. There are many other jobs in that field that don't involve danger. Desk work, for example. I'll look around and get back to you, alright?"
Sado: "Thank you, thank you so much."
Sado leaves the building, with a sigh of relief. He heads over to a food truck and sits down.
Sado: "The number 3, just the wrap, with a strawberry ice cream on the side."
He gets his food and eats it, savoring bite by bite.
Sado (in head): "Maybe being an officer won't work out. But there are others options. Other good options. Firefighting could work too, Sado... hmm?"
Sado turns and overhears something.
Officer 1: "Copy. Long night ahead. The pursuit led into Garden heights, on Garden Lane. They need backup."
Officer 2: "An apartment?!"
Sado's eyes widen in shock, dropping the rest of his wrap on the floor. He drops the money, grabs the back of ice cream and immediately rushes to his van. He starts up his car, calling Mila. It rings. And rings. And rings.
(Phone) Mila: "Mr. Talman. Is everything alright?"
Sado: "Are you guys alright?"
(Phone) Mila: "Yes... um, is ever-"
Sado: "I need you to lock all windows and doors and stay with Salsa, now!"
(Phone) Mila: "O-ok. But you're kind of scaring me. What's going on?"
Sado: "Just stay low and quiet. I'm on my way right now."
He hangs up the phone. Palms sweating, he grips the wheel and drives off.
Sado (in head): "Please stay safe."
Rushing through traffic, he wastes no time and cuts passed everything without regard. He finally reaches Garden Lane but stops a distance away from the apartment.
Sado: "They've blocked the roads already, shit!"
Sado gets out his van and sneaks by into the alley. He looks up and sees the metal ladder. He climbs up and knocks on the window. The neighbors look to see him and they open for him.
Neighbor 1: "Sado?! What's happening?"
Sado: "I'm not too sure either. Can I come in through here?"
Although anxious, the neighbors let him through, just before the police walked into the alley. He walks to the front door and unlocks it.
Sado: "... Nobody is down here. OK, keep the door locked and don't open it for anyone."
Neighbor 2: "Here, take this."
She hands him a kitchen knife. He takes it and walks out the door, and they slowly lock it behind him. He walks slowly, going floor by floor, but a loud thud from above jumps him. He fastens his pace and reaches his floor. Seeing nothing around, he walks closer to his home.
Salsabil: "Ahhhhh!"
Sado: "Salsa!"
From a floor above, he hears his daughter scream, a shiver running down his spine. He wastes no time and runs up to the next floor. He reaches Mila's flat and sees the door broken down. He runs in to see Mila on the floor bleeding out. Horrified, he runs to her.
Sado: "Mila! Stay with me. I'll get you help."
Mila: "Mr... Talman..."
Sado: "What happened?!"
Mila: "They... took her... I... sorr..."
As she faded slowly, the light left her eyes. With his arms covered in her blood, Sado freezes.
Criminal 1: "Hrr!"
Jumping out from the door entrance, the criminal tries to rush Sado and gets him to the ground. With a knife pushing closer to his chest, Sado pushes back. He pushes it to the side and elbows him, boggling the criminal. Sado then gets on his back and chokes him. The criminal struggles but Sado chokes him heavily. In a last attempt, the criminal picks up a sharp piece on the ground and stabs it into Sado's hand.
Sado: "Argh!"
Sado, although screaming in pain, holds on. The criminal loses consciousness. Sado lets go of him and pulls out the sharp piece from his hand. All of it settling in his head, Sado gets overwhelmed. In an instant, he snaps back to reality and gets back on his feet.
Sado: "Salsa!"
He runs, and runs, reaching the top door to the roof. He breaks the door down and looks around. Near the edge, he sees another criminal. At gunpoint, he holds Salsabil, who's crying.
Salsabil: "Papa, help!"
Criminal 2: "D-don't come any closer, or I'll shoot!"
Sado: "Don't do anything rash, please. I'm begging you! I can see it. You don't want this."
Criminal 2: "I just want to get out of here, man. I knew he'd drag me into some shit!"
Sado: "I-I understand. I want to help you too. Just please. She's just a child."
Criminal 2: "She's my insurance. If I hold her, they'll have to listen."
Salsabil: "Papa, I'm scared!"
Sado: "Don't worry, Papa has everything under control. Hey, I got you that strawberry ice cream."
Salsabil: "R..really?"
Sado: "Yes. It's in the van. We'll eat it together later. So don't cry, ok?"
Salsabil, trying her best, smiles for Sado.
Sado: "My little Salsa. You're a super brave girl."
Criminal 2: "Stop playing around, this isn't a family visit."
Rushing from the entrance to the roof comes a bunch of troops of officers. They line up around the entrance, all aiming at the criminal.
Sado: "W-wait! Don't shoot!"
Leading officer: "Men, stay alert."
The leading officer walks through the entrance and stops.
Leading officer: "I thought all civilians were cleared? No matter. You are circled. There is no exit we don't cover. Resign now."
Criminal 2: "This is bullshit. I didn't even do nothing. I'm not going anywhere! Let me go now! Or... or I'll shoot."
He holds the gun at Salsa's head.
Sado: "Don't!"
Leading officer: "I'd advise against it. If you shoot her, you will be put down immediately. This is the end of the line. Apprehend him."
As officers slowly approach, he nervously backs up.
Criminal 2: "Stay back! I said s-"
His foot slips. The criminal loses balance and tries to grab onto the ledge but misses, falling to the ground. Dragging him, Salsabil also falls back.
Salsabil: "Ahhhhhh!"
Sado: "Salsa! No!!"
Sado runs as fast as he can but he's far too late. As he reaches the end, he looks to the ground below, unable to think. His mind blanks, as he sees her down on the ground.
Sado: "This... isn't real. It... can't be real. It's an illusion..."
The longer he stared, the less he could see. Slowly, all his senses dulled. The view of her body faded away. The sounds of the sirens around vanished. The smell of blood, the cold night breeze. All Sado was, was static. Although alive, he was not. In that instant, all overwhelmed him and he lost consciousness on the rooftop.