[hr][hr][center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjExNi5mZmZmMGEuUVdsdFpXVWdTRzlzYkdGdVpBLCwuMAAAAA,,/zing-diddly-doo-zapped.regular.png[/img]
[sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2atlpj7AGXU]Current Theme: Ace Combat Zero - Near the Border[/url][/sub][/center][hr][hr][color=gray]It had happened on a Saturday afternoon.

As usual, Aimee found herself at the beach shore due to her duties as a swim instructor. Aimee and the children did their stretches, life jackets and other equipment were put on; all and all it had seemed like any other day in crime-laden Long Beach. The sun beaming down on the warm san and the crashing waves would bring out the good folk of Long Beach, but even to Aimee's surprise, it would bring out the lowest of the low just as well.[/color]

[b]"Help me!"[/b]

[color=gray]Aimee looked around for the source of the cry, and quickly found one of her students being carried off by one of the hoodlums of Long Beach. It had happened so fast that Aimee had been completely unaware that someone was lurking, yet Aimee knew she needed to do something to save the girl. Despite it likely being not wise to engage a criminal, Aimee couldn't just abandon her; such matters being against her morals and even her job duties.

And so, brazen and bold, Aimee set out to chase the individual. Placing the children under the watchful eye of one of the lifeguards, Aimee hopped on her bike, and pedaled off towards the kidnapping bandit. Weaving in and between crowds of beachgoers, Aimee found herself muttering apologies as she cut off several people in the process. To the balding man's nacho fries she spilled to the trio of joggers she almost ran into, Aimee would have to truly apologize to them later.

Thankfully, the kidnapper found Aimee persistent. and too much to deal with. With the child kicking and screaming, along with Aimee chasing after them, the crook let go of the girl, and climbed over a fence to escape, cursing himself for not having a gun with him. Watching the hoodlum run down an alley, Aimee soon turned her attention to the shaken up girl beside her. The girl was a mess, crying and having soiled herself, but above all, she was once again safe.

[color=yellow][b]"Shh, now. It's alright. Big sister Aimee has you now."[/b][/color] Aimee whispered to the girl, calming her down with an embrace.[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tEh8ysT.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray]Much like before, it had been another hot day under the warm California sunlight.

Aimee found herself at a table surrounded by her friends--a rarity nowadays. It had been difficult for them all to meet up together regularly, but finally they had a free chance to meet each other and hang out. They talked and conversed in metal chairs--thankfully not burning their skin due to an umbrella's shade--until Ally brought up a terrible experience that had happened to her recently. Aimee sat and listened in silence, finding herself astonished by the horrors of the city as she usually was.

Then, the others spoke--Michael, Valetina, and Kaelan. They were just as good friends as Ally was to Aimee, and they also had their own story to tell. Their experiences weren't as outrageous as getting shot at like Ally described, yet they were just as crazy.[/color] [color=yellow][i]What is this city coming too?[/i][/color] [color=gray]Aimee found herself wondering, knowing just as well how bad Long Beach has it. Civilians found it hard to rise up, crooks did what they wanted, and the police had their hands full. If only someone was willing to fix the crime issue... if only.

Eventually, as Kaelan finished speaking, it was Aimee's turn to speak. And so, Aimee told her story, down to every detail she could remember.[/color] [color=yellow][b]"I couldn't just abandon her, you know?"[/b][/color] [color=gray]Aimee spoke, sighing as she leaned back in her chair.[/color] [color=yellow][b]"Maybe I was stupid for chasing him down. I could've been shot at, just like Ally and her coworker, but a kid's a kid. Their parents entrusted me with their children... I'm just as responsible for them as they are."[/b][/color]

[color=gray]Closing her eyes momentarily, Aimee then adjusted herself in her seat, allowing for someone else to say their piece as she fixed her posture.[/color]