Do You Believe in God?

9:34 a.m.

I took a deep breath in, and let it out. I was going to be fine, as long as I stayed quiet. I hoped that he wouldn't look in the girls bathroom. Maybe I would actually make it out alive. I really should've stayed in Mrs. Olly's class.

I looked around the small bathroom, looking for any type of escape route. A window, a vent... anything. I really didn't want to die in a school bathroom. That'd be afterlife social suicide.

I checked the time on my phone. 9:37. Why hadn't help arrived yet? Hadn't anyone called?

I held my breath as Mrs. Falls came on the loudspeaker again. I crossed my fingers in hopes it was good news and safe to come out of the bathroom. I just wanted for these few minutes of terror to be over.

"I- I need a-all," she sobbed, "who are n-not in a classroom t-t-t-" she took a deep breath. I dug my fingernails into the palms of my hands. This wasn't good news. "To come to the f-front office immediately."

It was quiet before she spoke again, her words ringing out loud to all who were in the building. "If you can, get out. It's no-"

A gunshot cut her off. A gunshot. An actual gunshot. He had a gun. And he wasn't afraid to use it.

I couldn't get enough air. My mind was flooded with more what ifs. I couldn't get the image of Mrs. Falls, with her red hair and hard green eyes, out of my head. I imagined her with blood pooling from her head, slumped over her desk. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry and shout and break things.

I had to stay quiet. By staying quiet and out of sight, I stayed alive. By staying alive I got to see my mom and dad again. I had to stay alive.

I hoped no kid was stupid enough to actually go to the front office. I hoped no one had to go up there and face the monster who murdered our secretary.
But most of all, I hoped that the rest of us would be okay.