"Yes," John answers, but before he can elaborate on that, there's the sound of a footstep nearby and then, from the shadows, comes the shape of a man. He's carrying a pipe and John ducks, then throws his arm out and pushes the boy back against the building.

Nothing else matters except making sure these men don't hurt the kid.

He has his gun out in a flash and he hadn't wanted to do this, but there's no choice now. Another shadow is moving toward them, this one with a knife, the man who'd cut him earlier, and the gun goes off twice in quick succession. Both men go down, both shot in the knee and John gestures quickly. "Come on."