Shots fired

Jackie and I walk into the Cafeteria. I smell the overpowering scent of onions. The boys in front of me are poking each other with pencils. Today is a normal day like any other, but I sense something is off. I go about my day like normal though. I hear the dominating noise of lunchtime chatter over everything else. 

As I move up in the line to get my pizza I’m stopped in my tracks by an ear shattering bang. The room goes silent as people look at their friends. I look around trying to make sense of the sound. 

“Jackie,” I pause for a moment. “What was that sound?” Jackie looks at me nervously. Just as I turn my head to look around again, I hear another loud bang. 

I see a man with a gun running toward the door. I grab Jackie’s hand and hold on tight. “Get down!” I yell. It takes a moment for people to realize what is happening and by this point the man slams open the door and shots are fired. I pull Jackie to the ground before I notice the crimson liquid soaking her shirt.I lay there shaking uncontrollably.Tears roll down my face as I lay here curled up unable to help her.

The crimson liquid is all over the floor now and I feel its warmth on my back. Her hand is still in mine with a stone hard grip.

 I hear footsteps walk around the room and the only thing I can think about is my family. What will happen if I die? If I do live, how will things be when this is all over? Who will make it out of here alive?  After a minute or so, the gunman leaves the room but the shots continue. Bang! Bang! 

I lay here rigid as a rock for what seems like a lifetime before I hear  the last shot and a hand touches my shoulder. “It's okay. You're safe now,” the voice says. 

When I open my eyes, I find myself not in a cafeteria, but in my bedroom. The liquid I thought was blood, was only my sweat. And my mother is sitting next to me trying to comfort me. It was just another nightmare of the event that happened weeks ago. The nightmare I relive every night.   




 

hazeljade110

VT

15 years old

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