David turned back toward Mark.
DAVID: "Then explain it. Why are you holding him like that?"
The officer's expression became increasingly hostile.
MARK: "I already told you to stay back."
DAVID: "And I'm telling you to let him go."
For several seconds, neither man moved.
The peaceful driveway had become tense.
Daniel stood between them, still frightened.
The gardening tools remained near the flowerbeds.
The sunlight continued shining across the front yard.
Everything around them looked ordinary.
But the confrontation was about to become much worse.
Mark finally loosened his grip on Daniel's shirt.
However, he did not step away.
He moved toward David instead.
MARK: "You need to back up."
David raised both hands.
DAVID: "I'm not touching you. Just stop grabbing people."
Mark stepped closer.
David remained in place.
DANIEL: "Please, both of you. Let's talk."
But neither man seemed willing to listen.
Mark suddenly pushed David in the chest.
David stumbled backward.
His boots scraped against the gravel.
He quickly regained his balance.
For a moment, he looked at the officer in disbelief.
DAVID: "Don't push me!"
Mark stepped forward again.
MARK: "Get back!"
David raised his arms defensively.
DAVID: "You pushed me!"
Daniel moved toward them.
DANIEL: "Officer, please! He's only asking you a question!"
Mark turned briefly toward Daniel.
MARK: "Stay out of this!"
David looked at his father.
Then he looked back at the officer.
His expression was now filled with anger.
DAVID: "You don't have to treat him like that!"
Mark suddenly moved forward.
He threw a punch toward David's face.
The strike connected with David's nose and upper cheek.
David's head turned sharply from the impact.
He stumbled sideways.
A small amount of blood appeared around his nose.
Daniel shouted in shock.
DANIEL: "David!"
David raised his hand toward his face.
He looked at the blood on his fingers.
For a brief moment, he seemed unable to believe what had just happened.
Then he looked back at Mark.
DAVID: "You just hit me!"
Mark advanced again.
David raised both arms and blocked the next strike.
The two men moved closer.
David pushed the officer backward.
Mark regained his balance and grabbed the front of David's shirt.
Their bodies collided.
They began struggling near the driveway.
Daniel stood a few feet away, watching in horror.
He had never expected to see his son involved in a physical confrontation with a police officer.
DANIEL: "Stop! Please, stop!"
But the two men continued.
Mark tried to control David's upper body.
David struggled to free himself.
They exchanged several rapid movements.
Mark attempted another punch.
David moved sideways and pushed him away.
The officer stumbled backward.
For a moment, David managed to create some distance.
But Mark immediately advanced again.
MARK: "You think you can put your hands on me?"
DAVID: "You hit me first!"
Mark grabbed David near the shoulder.
David pulled away.
The two men moved toward the dark pickup truck parked beside the driveway.
Daniel followed them.
His hands were trembling.
He looked at his son's injured face.
Blood was now visible around David's nose and upper lip.
DANIEL: "Please! Leave my son alone!"
Mark pushed David toward the vehicle.
David's back moved closer to the pickup truck.
He tried to maintain his balance.
His hands reached toward the vehicle.
Mark continued advancing.
David turned slightly and attempted to push him away.
The two men struggled beside the truck.
Daniel stepped closer.
He wanted to separate them.
He wanted the confrontation to stop.
He wanted the afternoon to return to the peaceful moment it had been before the officer arrived.
But everything was happening too quickly.
His son's face was injured.
The officer was still holding him.
And Daniel felt increasingly helpless.
He raised both hands.
DANIEL: "Somebody, please! Help us!"
A neighbor across the street had begun watching from the front window.
Another resident heard the shouting and stepped onto the porch.
But nobody had yet approached.
David managed to push Mark away for a moment.
He looked toward his father.
DAVID: "Dad, stay back!"
Daniel shook his head.
DANIEL: "I can't just stand here!"
David turned back toward the officer.
Mark immediately moved toward him again.
The two men collided.
Mark grabbed David's shirt and pushed him against the pickup truck.
David's hands landed on the hood.
His upper body bent forward.
MARK: "Stop resisting!"
DAVID: "Get off me!"
The officer pressed him against the vehicle.
David tried to raise his head.
His face was visibly injured.
A thin streak of blood remained beneath his nose.
Daniel watched the scene.
His breathing became increasingly irregular.
He took a step forward.
Then another.
His legs suddenly felt weak.
He raised one hand toward his chest.
For a moment, he tried to remain standing.
DANIEL: "David..."
His voice was quieter now.
David heard his father.
He turned his head slightly.
DAVID: "Dad?"
Daniel looked at him.
His expression had changed.
The fear in his eyes was no longer only about the fight.
He seemed dizzy.
He tried to steady himself, but the gravel shifted beneath his boots.
His knees began to weaken.
David noticed his father's unusual movement.
DAVID: "Dad, what's wrong?"
Daniel reached one hand toward the nearest flowerpot.