High School Royale

17〛Shots Fired

Jesse Mercado - 12:31PM
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"Aiden!" Jesse wailed, grabbing Aiden's limp body by the arms. "No no no!"

There was nothing. His eyes were blank, and blood poured into Jesse's chest. A cold, numbing horror settled over Jesse as the reality set in. His breath came in ragged gasps, tears streaming down his blood-streaked face.

"Albert!" He cried, turning around. "Brandon? Anyone? Help!" An explosion went off on the other side of the food, shaking the ground beneath him. When he turned around, he was met with Albert in the peripheral, one hand around his knife and the other around someone's throat. Jesse gasped, turning around, shell shocked.

Blood roared in his ears and the entire world spun, still holding onto Aiden. What am I doing? Why am I doing this? This... This isn't right. Aaron and Maria... They... They were...

It was a shot to his chest that woke him up, shattering the ceramic tiles. He gasped, clutching at his heart, falling over. Maria's bulletproof armor just saved his life.

"Holy shit!" Brian shouted, sliding off the side of the food. "Is... Did he..."

"Help me!" Jesse screeched, letting the body go. "Help! Please!"

Brian took hold of Aiden's body, as Brandon and Albert finally ran up to them.

"Aiden?" Brandon shouted. "What the hell?"

"He didn't make it?" Albert asked.

Another explosion rocked the stage, and they ducked, as another round of firing descended upon the theater. The curtains were lit ablaze, as a stagelight fell, crushing someone.

"I... I..." Jesse muttered, his breathing hitched. "I found it."

"The gun?" Brian asked.

"Yes."

"This place is done for!" Albert said. "I'll take Aiden. Let's go! Now!"

He lifted his body over his shoulder, leaping off the stage in one swift motion. Jesse, his feet still shaken, lagged behind as waves of students followed, climbing and kicking over the rows of seats, All the while, the ceiling shooter continued their barrage into the crowd.

A loud, hysterical laugh cut through the screams and gunfire. "HAHAHA! BULLSEYE!" A guy next to Jesse went down, as an array of bullets tore through the seats. This sniper was different from the girl–he was reckless. Sadistic.

Jesse kept his hands over his head, ducking and dodging an arrow from his peripheral, then kicking aside a thrown grenade, leaving an explosion that shook the entire room. At the final stretch to the door, Jesse turned around momentarily. To the side was a familiar female figure running to the backstage–Skylar. He gasped, pausing in his steps.

Brandon yanked him aside as a flaming arrow plunged where his head would've been. "What the hell, man? Get moving!"

Jesse unfroze, sprinting out the theater.

. . .

"Aiden..." Eddie cried, kneeling beside his body.

It was nearly five now. They had moved him to the center of the room, and laid a towel over his head.

Even Aaron was silent, arms crossed by Maria and Jesse, eyes downcast. Maria and Jesse both shed quiet tears.

"It's those damn shooters," Brandon muttered.

"We'll avenge you, buddy," Albert croaked. "I swear we will." The possession of the gun went straight to Albert. Now, he kneeled by Aiden's body, both the gun and the last two sedatives around his belt.