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-Chapter 12: Pheobe-

April 29, 2024
Outside of the school
Phoebe's POV

"Please Mr DeNoh let me go!" I begged as I was pulled out of the school. Inside the school Quinn turned around and started to walk away. Why didnt she come with me? With us?!

I kept fighting against Mr DeNoh's hold. To go back and get my sister. "Please!" We were now coming into the parking lot. Student cars around the parking lot. I looked around quickly to see if there was anything I could do or grab to get out of the teacher's grip.

Some Police tape, blocking the entrance, was up. A bunch of Police cars and ambulances were all in the parking lot. Behind the Ambulances, paramedics were set up with a stretcher, waiting to see if anyone needed any help when they came out of the school. If they were shot or just injured. Waiting to do there job that they do best. Some big tables were lined up with computers and police equipment on them.

Some cops soon came up to us, Mr DeNoh letting go of me and the cops escorted us to a section that was blocked off, probaby for students and family to wait. As we walked towards it, I could see parents, grandparents, waiting to hear news, waiting to see their children and grandchildren.

The police held up the police tape as we went under it. The big group of students that were led out were already talking with people, Family or friends. "Police officers will be there to interview you two. Can I get your first and last name?" The Police officer asked us.

We gave him our names as he wrote them down and started to walk away, back to the Tables that were lined up with Police things. Mr DeNoh turned to me. "I am going to check up on some of the students, to make sure they are alright. Try to call or find your parents to see if they are here, maybe find your friends. Stick together with someone when you find them."

I nodded, not saying anything. Mr. DeNoh turned around and started pushing his way through the crowd to find students. I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone. I should try to call Mom or Dad. I looked at it. A few messages from a few different people.

Mom
12:22 pm

Are you safe?

Are you out of the school yet?

Honey, I need you to answer me as soon as possible.

We are making our way down to the school, come find us if you can when your out.

I read the first few texts, they were all sent at different times, I am just now receiving all of them, the last one was sent at 12:20. There were a few from Dad, a few from some friends, seeing if I was okay, if I had seen any of their friends, and a few from my Nana and Papa.

My hands were shaking now. I guess everything is mostly catching up to me. That I made it out of there. That Quinn is still inside. I swiped up on my phone and went to call someone. I dialed the number that was for Mom. I brought it up to my ear. It rang a few times before someone picked up. "Hello?"

I didn't say anything for a second, nothing came out when I opened my mouth. Tears were starting to come. "Phoebe Honey are you okay?"

"I-" My quivering voice said. "I-I am O-okay." Tears started to roll down my check. I burst out crying.

"It's Okay honey." My mom tried to comfort me. "We are just parking now. On the side of the street. They won't let any cars down there. We are coming."

"Okay." I said still crying

"Where is Quinn? Is she right beside you?"

I started to cry even more. "S-s-she stayed inside the building. I-i tried to get her to come with me. S-she wouldn't."

"Damn it Quinn."

"I'm S-sorry." I said

"It's not your fault, Quinn always had a mind of her own. Putting other people before herself. We are almost to where the parents are."

"O-Okay." I started pushing my way through the crowd going to where parents were filling in. Pushing through people who wouldn't move.

"I think I see you." Mom said. I turned around to look to see my mother and father. I kept searching for a few minutes until I spotted something, or someone.

My mother, wearing a light blue top and my father behind her wearing a flannel shirt. "I see you." I pushed my way through the crowd with my mother and father looking around.

My father looked in the direction of where I was and I shot my hand up, he pointed at me and said something to my mother who turned in my direction too. She pulled the phone away from her ear and started pushing her way through the crowd as well. My father again right behind her. I started pushing my way through the crowd faster.

We soon met in the middle, my mother putting her arms around me and kissing my forehead she started crying. "You are going to do online school from now on you hear?" She said, She pulled back and my father came beside her and pulled me into a hug.

He looked like he had just woken up from a nap. I guess working night shifts always had him sleeping throughout the day when his daughters were at school.

"Can I have the following person come to the front to be questioned by the police." A loud voice said through something. Father pulled back.

"Phoebe Thompson…" The voice said a few other names. Mom, Dad and I started making our way through the crowd to the front. It way a lot of 'Excuse me, Can I get by?' One of the parents would move so I shouted at them to 'Move!'

We soon made it to the front of the crowd where a police officer was standing. "Hey! I'm Phoebe Thompson!" The Police officer came towards us and pulled the police tape up as I ducked under.

My parents tried to come but were told by the police officer that they couldn't come. She was going to interview me about what happened. Of Course my parents understood. The Police officer told me to follow her and she led me to a distant spot so no one could hear us talking, not even the news crews here to give a report about what was happening in this small town.

"Im Officer Davies, I'll be asking you a set of questions about what happened today, they will be recording, we won't see your face, and might be used in court in this case. Do you understand and consent to have yourself recorded and to be asked questions about the events of today?"

I nodded. "You have to give a verbal yes or no."

I Sighed. "Yes, I give you my consent." She then told me that the interview has started and the tapes are now recording.

The first few questions were easy. Please state your name. What happened today. When was your birthday? How old are you?

"Phoebe Thompson, I'm 14 and my birthday is July 16, 2009. There was a shooting at my school McCullum High School."

Then came more questions. Do you know who the shooter was? If so, who? What happened with the blood on your face and clothes? Did you see the shooter at all?"

"No I don't know who the shooter was. The shooter came into my classroom and fired at us, that's why I have blood on my face and clothes, I was protected by another student's body. I saw the shooter a few times." I stated

I was asked a few more questions before the police officer stopped the recording. "I think that's all for now, I'm going to lead you back to your parents."

We started walking back. My parents are waiting in front. I looked to my left, some eyes and cameras were on me, watching me go back. Seeing what was on my clothes on my face.

The Police tape was lifted up and I went under and came by my parents. My mother lifted up my face and inspected it, and my arms. Seeing if I was injured at all.

That's when shots rang out, people gasped and turned toward the school. I just hope Quinn isn't injured now.

Word count: 1448