(Hiyoshi gets into his car, as do the others into theirs.)

(They follow Hiyoshi down 22nd Street and turn right, and continue down Old Towne Avenue. The group, after a while, comes to a stop. The road is blocked by two police cars, who were covering a crime scene.)

(Miyuki gets out of her car and walks up to the nearest policeman, standing by the blockade.)

Miyuki: (saying to the officer) Officer, is there a problem?

Officer: Yes, young lady, there most certainly is. We have reports that there was a break-in on this street. It seems that there is an arsenalist at large, who broke into a random room, up on the third floor of an apartment building. All we could find was a letter addressed to a Mr. Hiyoshi Ryuka.

Miyuki:…Wait a second, you didn’t just say, Hiyoshi Ryuka, as in, Katsumaru and Nira Ryuka’s son, did you?

Officer: Yes, ma’am, I did. At least, that is who the letter was from…Why do you ask? Do you know this Mr. Ryuka by any chance?

Miyuki: You’ve GOT to be kidding me! Hiyoshi Ryuka... is my close friend and ex-boyfriend. W-when did this happen?

Officer: I’d say about….two hours ago. Do you know where your friend, Mr. Ryuka, is?

(Officer #2 appears, coming from the crime scene in a hurry.)

Officer #2: Sir, we have a man down! The officer seems to have been shot in the chest and is unconscious, as of right now. Only time will tell if he will make it…Not to mention, all of his clothes: the uniform, gun, hat and shoes have been stripped from his body. Sir, our suspect may very well have disguised himself as a police officer and is now armed and dangerous.

Officer #1: (Startled by the news) I see...back to your position, rookie.

(Officer #2 walks over to the police car, adjacent from Miyuki, and stands, ready, for any sign of the suspect.)

Officer #1: May I speak with this Mr. Ryuka, please?

Miyuki: (troubled) Y-yes, sir. But why must you—

Officer #1:–Young lady, do not question my authority.

Miyuki: (startled) Yes, sir…

(Miyuki walks over to Hiyoshi’s car and signals from outside the window for him to get out of the car.)

(Hiyoshi gets out of the car. He appears to be puzzled by her response.)

Hiyoshi: Miyu, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?

Miyuki: E-everything is fine. One of the officers up ahead needs to speak with you.

Hiyoshi: For what?

Miyuki: I don’t know. All I know is that it involves you…

Hiyoshi: Oh …ummm…okay?

(Hiyoshi looks at Kiara and tilts his head a few times to signal for her to get out.)

(Kiara gets out of the car and walks over towards Hiyoshi and Miyuki.)

Kiara: Yes, hunnie? What’s up? What is going on up there?

Hiyoshi: I don’t know. All I know is that the officer up there needs to speak with me.

Kiara: Okay...? But why did you signal for me to get out of my car? I don’t understand…

Hiyoshi: I need for you to stay here with Miyuki, while I talk with the officer, okay?

Kiara: (confused) O-okay?...I guess so…

Hiyoshi: Okay. Thanks, babe. I love you. I’ll be right back, okay?

Kiara: Okay, sweetie. Be careful!

Hiyoshi: I will.

(Hiyoshi walks over towards the officer.)

Hiyoshi: Yes, officer? What is it?

Officer #1: Mr. Ryuka, it seems that someone has broken into your home. And—

Hiyoshi: (flabbergasted) –S-say WHAT?!

Officer #1: Sir, please do not interrupt me again.

Hiyoshi: Y-yes, sir.

Officer #1: Thank you. I understand how you feel, but you have to understand my position. Now…as I was saying…It also seems that the suspect is at large, and has shot one of our officers and may very well be disguised as one of our officers. I will need you and your friend, ms…?

Hiyoshi: Ashiama…Miyuki Ashiama, sir.

Officer #1: Yes, well…we need you and Ms. Ashiama to come with us for questioning…and for your protection, until this suspect is caught for his crime and brought to justice.

Hiyoshi: Yes, but what about my girlfriend, Kiara? I can’t just leave her here. What if she gets hurt?

Officer #1: It will be alright, Mr. Ryuka. I’ll leave her with one of the other cops. That way, she will be safe from harm. Don’t worry, Mr. Ryuka, we’ll have you two back together as soon as we’ve finished with the questioning and after we have the suspect in our custody.

Hiyoshi: (Puzzled) Okay, sir…

(Officer #1 signals Miyuki to follow them to the police car, nearest them.)

Officer #1: (calling out to the other officer) I need you to take Ms. Kiara, there, with you to make sure she is safe. Have her stay in your vehicle, until further notice.

Officer #2: Okay, sir.

(Officer #2 motions for Kiara to come over to his police unit vehicle.)

(Kiara does as the officer says)

Officer #2: Ms. Kiara, is it?

Kiara: Kiara Okonè, sir.

Officer #2: Yes, well, Ms. Okonè. I need for you to sit in the back seat of my car until further notice. It is for your protection, ma’am.

Kiara: (confused slightly) Oh,…um…okay.

(Officer #2 opens the back door to the car and motions for her to sit in the back seat. He closes the door as soon as she gets in.)

(Officer #1 motions for Miyuki and Hiyoshi to step into the car.)

(Miyuki opens the back, right door of the car and gets in, closing the door behind her.

(Radio sounds off as soon as officer #2 gets into his car.).

Radio: (partially interrupted by static.) Calling all units in the vicinity. I repeat, calling all units. Resources have reported about the appearance of the suspect. All units, please be advised and on the lookout. The suspect has a dark, tan complexion. Is tall. A handlebar mustache, with a scar across his left cheek. The man appears to have a tattoo going down his right arm, in the form of a swastika. All units, again, please be advised.)

(officer #2 looks over at Officer #1)

Officer #2: S-sir, I got a report of—

Officer #1: (impatiently responding) –yes, I heard, rookie.

(Officer #1 gets into the car. He closes the door behind him. And as he gets settled in, he puts his right arm on the other front seat and turns his head to face Hiyoshi and Miyuki.)

Officer #1: Is everything ok back there?

Miyuki: (worried) Y-yes, sir, everything is—

(Miyuki notices, on the officer’s right arm a tattoo. But she couldn’t make out what it was of, because part of the sleeve was covering up the rest of it.)

Miyuki: S-Sir, what is that on your right arm?

Officer #1: (startled and starting to cover up the rest of the tattoo.) Oh, this? It’s nothing…just an old tattoo from before I joined the force.

Miyuki: (suspicious) Oh….okay….

(Officer # 1 rolls down the right-hand window, in front, as he signals for the other officer to do the same.)

(Officer #2 does as requested)

Officer #2: Yes, sir?

Officer #1: You all set?

Officer #2: (Confident) Yup.

Officer #1: Okay.

(Officer #1 reaches into the front seat, beside him, for a mysterious item.)…oh, and rookie?

Officer #2: Yes, sir?

(Officer raises his right hand swiftly, revealing a gun that he was holding in his hand.)

(Right before raising it into line of Officer #2’s sight)

Officer #1: Goodbye, rookie. Nice knowing you.

Officer #2: (confused) …What do you mean?

(False officer raises the gun and pulls the trigger, firing the pullet into the second officer’s forehead.)

(The officer’s head hits the steering wheel and the airbad goes off and shoves him back into the driver’s seat.)

Kiara: Oh my—OH MY GOD!!!...(looks at the dead officer, then to Hiyoshi and Miyuki) HIYO!!! MIYU!!!

(Kiara bangs her hands on the left, back window.)

Hiyoshi and Miyuki: KIARA!!!

False officer: (yelling) SHUT IT! Be quiet or I’ll blow your little friend’s head off!

Hiyoshi: You better not shoot her!

False officer: Oh, don’t you worry. I won’t…As long as you shut your mouth. And you don’t have to worry, I need you for later!

(The car drives off quickly)

[End of Scene 8 of "A Winter's Lullaby". What will happen to Miyuki and Hiyoshi? Will Kiara be okay? Will ever see her boyfriend and Miyuki again? And what is this mysterious man's plans? Tune in for Scene 9 of "A Winter's Lullaby", coming up soon. ^-^. Hope you all are enjoying this story so far. I promise I won't let you down!]