Three's a crowd

18

The crack of a bolt of lightening, a firework in the distance, a vehicle tire blowing out on the highway beside you, any sound that causes your blood pressure to spike, you're senses to work overtime, and fear and adrenaline to rush through you.

The silence in the mall was un nerving in the seemingly abandoned building, until the echoes of loud popping filled the building shortly followed by lots of screaming.

I looked towards Ava and Kyle who both looked as scared as I felt, not a single one of us sure what to do other than to get out of here.

Gradually the popping became louder, the screams that had echoed through the mall replaced with new screams, closer ones. High pitched screams of terror and pain.

"Quick come on!" Kyle said grabbing both me and Ava and pulling us back into the store. "Where is your back door?" He asked the clerk as the guy just pointed to a door at the back of the store.

It was hard to process what was happening other than the strong grip Kyle had on my wrist as he dragged me and Ava through the door and down a hallway to the fire exit that led outside to the parking lot.

When the doors opened the light from outside blinded me briefly as I continued to hear the popping and cracking of shots coming from inside the building.

We were quickly ushered by several officers who were outside at the emergency exit over to the other side of the parking lot and seated in the grass. One officer, I think his name is Derek told me to call my mom.

With shaky hands I reached for my phone and hit the call button, but instead of getting my mom I got Levi.

"Hey Britt, moms cooking what's up?" He asked.
"Levi... I...i..." I struggled to speak as Derek took the phone.

"Hey Levi its Derek your moms friend can you put her on the phone?" He said. I'm assuming it worked because Derek began explaining that the mall was locked down due to an active shooter and that we were okay but she should probably get here.

When he handed me my phone back I just sat staring at my hands as they shook. Ava was crying and shaking as Kyle tried to calm her down, pulling her into his side.

It was strange watching the sea of officers swarm the entrances of the mall, followed by the un nerving sound of frantic popping before an eerie silence blanketed the usually busy mall.

"Britt you good?" Kyle asked, putting his arm around me when I shook my head.

I leaned into his side as Ava continued to hold onto him as she cried. I just sat watching as officers and civilians started to pour out of the mall as medics all rushed inside.

Throughout all the craziness I saw her. Hands covered in blood as she looked over to Derek who was standing in front of us.

I pulled away from Kyle and stood up, my feet moving on their own as I walked past Derek with teary eyes into her arms.

"Averleigh!" I sobbed as she held me close.
"Oh my god, Britt, I didn't know you were here! Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine." I squeezed her tighter "wait why are you here?" I pulled away to look at her taking in her bloodied hands.

She seemed to track my eye movements because she wrapped her arms back around me.
"Everyone gets called in on the big stuff like this, as for the blood it was a leg wound, he should be fine!" She soothed me. "But let's get you back to your friends so I can get cleaned up." She continued as she ushered me back to Kyle and Ava.

"Thanks!" I said turning to face her and Derek.
"Are you going to be okay until your mom..."

"Britt! Britt!" Someone yelled over her and as soon as I saw him I burst into tears all over again.