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-Chapter 16: Pheobe-

April 29, 2024
Outside McCullum High School
Pheobe's POV

It was eerily quiet. Too quiet. Everyone stopped talking and was looking at the school when more shots rang out. Police were standing up, Radio's to their ears. Even the News Crews had Shut up.

Silence.

Then the police started to move and some were clapping. Some had sat down and looked at the ground. Others hugged each other. A police officer was heading towards us. A small Notebook in his hands.

I held my breath, waiting to hear the worst. The Police Officer stopped in the middle clearing his throat. "The Shooter is down and killed. We are still trying to identify him. All injured students and teachers are being rushed to the nearby hospital. We have the names of those injured including one female who was in the room with the shooter."

They read out the names of those injured, some of them I knew friends, a few teachers. They read off the description of the person that was in the room with the shooter. That's when my heart dropped the description of Quinn at least I thought it was Quinn was read out.

Mom, Dad and even me started walking and fast walking to the car trying to get to the hospital as fast as possible just like everyone else.

Before I knew it we were at the hospital rushing in the line of parents and siblings at the desk asking if there child was okay, if they were alive or dead, and which room they were in.

After a long wait, we finally made it to the front of the line. "Name?" The receptionist asked.

"Quinn Thompson." My father spoke. My mother was red faced and crying. The receptionist typed away on her keyboard.

"All shooting victims of McCallum high School are on the 3rd floor." He said. "Quinn's status in the computer is Alive, I will have someone update you as soon as possible. Please sign in."

Dad signed us all in and we got to the Elevators and pressed the 3 button and soon it started moving up. We soon were on the 3rd floor and we got out. Everywhere we looked, families of the students and teachers were sitting and standing, some trying to entertain there other kids with movies on there phone or toys that they had brought.

We moved towards one seating area and two chairs. Dad told me to sit down as Mom sat down. Dad looked up and down the hallway to see if any nurses or doctors were coming. He ran his hands through his face and sighed. I pulled out my phone as it dinged. Instagram posts were being made.

Anonymous 2849:

Is this some kind of sick Joke?

Praying for all those injured and killed at McCallum High.

Brianna_2830:

I graduated from McCullum High never thought
That something like that would happen
There. Praying for you all.

#Wearestrong
#McCullumHigh

There were a few more from other people, I scrolled through reading them, I looked up as my friend's name was called out and her father stood up and went over to a doctor. She said a few words before her father started crying. "Not my little girl." I could hear him say.

She was Dead.

How many more were going to be dead, all because someone hated something. Why?

My Phone kept buzzing until I had put it on "Do Not Disturb" There were some magazines on a table close to us. I walked over and grabbed one and sat down and started reading. Something to take my mind off of everything that is happening.

Doctors and nurses kept going by. No one has told us anything. No one came by. We just kept to ourselves. Some families talked with other families. 'Who was in your family that was injured? Anyone that passed?'

It seemed like hours, I had started to nod off before a doctor came with a clipboard. "Quinn Thompson's family?"

We all stood up and went over to the doctor. The doctor started talking about Quinn's condition until he said something we didn't want to hear. "I'm so Sorry but your daughter, Quinn passed a few moments ago. I am sorry for your loss."

My mother started shaking her head and saying no. I stood there and started to cry looking around at the waiting room, eyes looking at me, as I started to cry hysterically.

Quinn was dead and there was nothing we could do about it now. My sister, my best friend, was dead. I would never have someone to experience sisterhood or talk to ever again.

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April 31st 2024
Funeral Home
1:15 pm

I sat on a chair,  my sister's casket sits in front of me, and in a few moments guests would arrive. I was wearing a black dress.  I can't believe that this is all true. A priest talked with my mother and father. A few moments later, my father came up to me. "It's time."

I stood up as we went to go greet or say hi to the guests as they walked in for the service. The doors opened and they started filing in.

I guess I never realized how many people were in Quinn's life beside our family. Many teachers came who knew Quinn, her friends. They all came in and talked before the service started.

The priest started talking then our or should I say my mother and father started talking. A few of Phoebe's friends came up and talked before it was my turn.

I went up and started. "Hi, I'm Phoebe, Quinn's sister for those who do not know me." I paused and looked at the crowd of people who came for her service. "Quinn loved being in a band and doing any sport activity. She always wanted to go to the marines. That was her dream."

I paused and tears started to form. "She was the person to always put others first instead of herself. My favorite memories of her were always us younger teasing each other and playing video games or soccer. She always loved having water fights." I laughed at the last part. "I always think she is now up there preparing a place for us when we enter. As in John 14:1-3 says "And If I go and prepare a place for you, and I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

I talked for a little bit more before wrapping up the final part of my speech. "To my sister, I'm sorry for life got taken away before you could do anything, before you could join the marines, anything. I can't wait to see you again in Heaven." I looked at the casket before stepping down.

I stepped down and started walking back looking at the people who came. I sat down and smoothed my dress, and burst into tears.

Word count: 1169