A Chase

by Leong e. c.




" Finally a promotion for me,” Betty mumbled. The promotion she had been yearning for years had become a reality. Betty was a policewoman in charge of catching illegal immigrants. This was what earned her the promotion…

"How did the two illegal immigrants manage to escape?" Betty questioned herself. During a raid an hour before, Betty had let two illegal immigrants’ escape. Feeling tired and thirsty, Betty went to a nearby supermarket to buy some drinks. When Betty reached the supermarket, she started selecting her drink and some other groceries.

Suddenly, Betty noticed two men looking around frantically out of the corner of her eyes. Being a responsible policewoman, Betty felt that she had to investigate what was happening, so she walked towards the two men. As Betty walked nearer to the two men, she caught sight of familiar faces- the illegal immigrants who had slipped through her fingers just now! The six eyes met. In a split second, the illegal immigrants recognized Betty as the policewoman after them and took to their heels immediately. Betty, after regaining her senses immediately fished out her handphone from her handbag and called her colleagues for assistance before going after the two men.They rudely pushed away the customers who had gotten into their way. As a result, a few women fell on top of one another.

They ran down Second Avenue as fast as their legs could carry them. Betty's chest heaved and panted for breath as she struggled to lessen the gap between the two men and herself. Although Betty's legs felt like lead, she forced them to carry her forward. Her lungs were burning as though pleading for her to stop but she was unrelenting. Arms outstretched, Betty tried to catch hold of the two men. However, they seemed so near and were yet so frustrating out of reach every time Betty edged forward. The two men turned back to see whether Betty was still chasing them. They were surprised to see someone else other than Betty. It was Betty's colleague. He was informed by Betty about the illegal immigrants and arrived to help Betty. The two men were trying their best to widen the gap between the pursuers and themselves. Fear had seemed to lend wings to them. Betty quickened her pace, not daring to slow down and even rest for a second although her heart pulsated as if it would burst out of her ribcage anytime. One of the men accidentally tripped over a banana skin and fell back. Although he tried to get up but the pain in his head was ferocious enough to make him sit down for a second time. Betty's colleague took advantage of the situation and handcuffed him while Betty continued chasing the other man.

The other man came to a halt as the path diverged before him. He questioned himself, “which path should I take?” He debated within himself, taking the risk that Betty would catch up anytime. After deciding on one, the man turned into an alley with Betty hot on his heels. It was a dead end! The man was trapped like a rat in a barrel. Thinking that it was impossible for the man to escape, Betty heaved a huge sigh of relief and went to him, preparing to handcuff him. Little did she know that the man had got it all prepared. After an escape, he knew that he was in a dangerous situation and decided to carry a knife with him everywhere he went. The man flashed his knife and brandished it in front of Betty before walking towards her with a threatening snarl. Fingers of fear rose up Betty's back, threatening to strangle her. Choking on her own fear, Betty struggled to breath. Thousands of frightful scenarios clouded her mind. However, Betty could do nothing else but to pray for help to arrive.

At this moment, the wailing sirens of the police rent the air. The man looked very frantic. As the police turned into the alley, the man overpowered Betty and held her as a hostage.The police pointed their guns at the man. The man shouted, “If you want the hostage to be safe, prepare a boat withing the next half an hour for me. Do not play any tricks or I cannot guarantee what I will do to her.” The senior inspector said, “I know that you will not kill her. You came here illegally just to work and raise your family. Killing others is not what you want to do. Spare a thought for your family. They do not want you to get yourself into trouble, do they? Let's make a deal now. As long as you release the hostage, I will plead with the judge for leniency, is that okay?” Hearing that, the man sobbed loudly and he loosened his grip on Betty. Betty seized this golden opportunity to turn the tables around. Soon the man was overpowered by her and brought to the police station.

“Thank you for distracting the man,” Betty said to the senior inspector. Betty was then commended by her boss for her bravery and quick wits in catching the two illegal immigrants. They had decided to award Betty with a promotion and a pay rise.

"Madam, there is a new case for us to investigate,” said Betty's subordinate. Betty was then jotted out of her mind. Since then, Betty had decided to continue working hard so as to contribute to the society. After all, it is a blessing in disguise.