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Family Fun Festival (Part 4)

The good news was there were only three of the robbers left standing.

The bad news was that they were aiming at civilians and threatening to shoot people if he didn’t show himself

Eric said there would be days like this.

“I’m gonna waste ‘em! You want that on your-” A Krampus yelled before Dustin ran by with his arm extended. The robber flipped head over heels backwards and lay still.

‘Two to go.’ Dustin saw another Krampus pulling the trigger. ‘Come on!’

The bullet was traveling at least a thousand feet per second. To Dustin, it looked like it was in slow motion. Even so, it would be a stretch to intercept it before it reached the man lying in the street.

‘What do I do? Rats! What do I do?’

“Kendra! That was very dangerous.” Holly clutched the girl’s shoulders roughly. “What did you think you were doing? There are people out there with guns!”

“Holly.” Frank said.

“Frank, she can’t just go running off in a gunfight.”

“You’re scaring her.”

“Well, maybe it will drive some sense into her.”

“Holly, can I see you a minute?” Ivy gave her a look.

Kendra broke free of Holly’s grip and clung to her dad.

Holly shot her an angry glare as she followed Ivy to the next aisle. “What?”

“What do you mean, ‘What?’, Holly? Have you lost your mind? Don’t you think this is scary enough for her without acting like this?” Ivy got in her face.

“Do you have any idea what could have happened to her?”

“Do you have any idea how much worse you’re making it by acting like a maniac?”

“She can’t just go sneaking off.”

“Obviously, but now is not the time to act like Mom. Get a grip.”

“We’ll see how perfect you are when you have kids, Ivy.”

“It’s not about being perfect. She’s a little girl, and she’s more scared of you than she is of the entire criminal underworld out there.”

Dustin remembered a trick that Eric had shown him at their last training session. He pushed his speed to the point that the wake of his passing sucked the bullet out of its trajectory. It struck a door as Dustin ran right up the front of a restaurant.

He swung a u-turn at the third floor and ran back down. ‘Not too fast, but fast enough to make sure this guy is down for the count.’

Dustin stopped next to the gunman with his forearms stacked in front of him like bull bars on a truck. They drove into the guy’s midsection, throwing him several feet away. Dustin was already there when the guy landed. He pulled the robber’s mask off and punched him out.

“Very nice, slick.” The last Krampus yelled. “What did The Sentinels teach you about this?” He was holding his pistol to a woman’s head.

“You think because you’re the ‘cool aunt’ that you get to lecture me about my own kids?”

“I think because you’re being a lunatic that somebody needs to talk some sense to you.”

“Where do you get off saying anything to me about anything? You live in your lonely little fantasy world all year and turn up for the holidays acting like you can do no wrong.”

“Holly, what the heck are you talking about? You invited me to stay over.”

“I’m saying I regret inviting you, Sister Dear.”

“Well, apart from you, I don’t regret accepting. I love my nieces. Why don’t you just calm down and stop talking nonsense?”

“Nonsense?”

“Yes, Holly. You’ve always been prickly at best and thermonuclear at worst. Have you thought about getting some freaking therapy?”

“Another wise proclamation from Princess Perfect!”

“I don’t think I’m perfect, Holly. I just think you ought to get your head examined.”

Ian peeked around the corner of the aisle. “Guys, not helping.”

“SHUT UP!” the sisters yelled in stereo.

“Since you asked, The Sentinels taught me that this sort of thing is for the police to handle.” Dustin pointed at him.

“Who are you kidding? You superheroes are all glory hounds. Well, your reputation is gonna be dog crap when I blow this lady’s brains out.”

The robber felt pressure at the base of his skull and heard a hammer cocking. “You’re under arrest. Let the woman go, and drop your weapon. Now!”

“Same goes for you, copper. If I waste this broad, it’s on your conscience and your reputation.”

“If you shoot her, you’re dead. If you let her go, you’re not. I know which option I prefer, but it’s your choice.”

Suddenly, the woman was gone and Krampus’ arm was broken. The policeman threw him to the ground and cuffed him.

The woman was clinging to Dustin. “What just happened?”

“You’re alright now, ma’am. Let’s find a policeman to take your statement.”

“Who are you?”

“Somebody who cares.” He said, leading her to a police officer.

Holly and Ivy began laughing and hugging.

‘Jeez, you guys are crazy.’ Ian thought as he returned to the others. “Everybody okay here?”

“What’s the matter with Mommy?” Chelsea cried.

“Oh, honey.” Frank said. “Everybody reacts to things in their own way. Some ways are better than others.”

“Daddy, let me down.” Lynn said.

Steve set her down. “What’s up, sweetie?”

“I want to give Kendra a hug.”

“If that’s alright with Kendra.” Her dad said.

Kendra nodded, her eyes full of tears. She held out her arms.

“I know it’s scary tonight, but we’re friends now.” Lynn said. “I won’t let anything bad happen.”

Kendra took off her glasses and swept the tears from her eyes. “You’re very silly, Lynn, but you’re a good friend.”

“I’d be an even better cousin.” Lynn said, squinting at her uncle.

Kendra looked over at him quizzically.

“I’m just going to go back and see how they’re doing.” Ian stepped back and out of the aisle. ‘Boy, they’re coming for me from every angle.’ He looked out at the front window and noticed blue and red flashing lights. “Hey, guys, the cavalry has arrived.”