The Driving Instructor

4: Suspence

[04]

The closer the footsteps came down the stairwell, the more my heart hammered in my chest and I felt panic begin to rise up my spine. I knew I had to survive this, I had to be the girl with the tale. It may not be a fairy tale, but it was going to be one hell of a story that could shape me or break me. When I get out of this mess, I was going to be able to tell my grandkids this story and maybe even my own children, too.

"Ethan," the fake blonde next to me whispered, gripping onto my hand as he shook with fright. He was a police officer, this was his job. Or maybe he just felt vulnerable right now, his own workplace being infiltrated and he had no idea who to trust. "That's my name, just incase I don't make it out of here alive." He added, a single tear dramatically travelling down his rosy cheek.

I squeeze his hand, trying to be the bravest person I could be. I've never been brave, but I guess that today is a really great day to start. "You won't die," I promise, still squeezing his hand, probably hurting the poor guy. "I won't let you die." I finish, having no idea what to do. Do I hide behind the desk? Stay here, in front of the door, awaiting death or worse?

He pulls me behind the desk without a moments hesitation, trying desperately to quiet his heavy breathing, the adrenaline or fright coursing through him. "What's your name?" He asks, just as the door opens and I find myself wondering why he doesn't remember my name.

I hear people quietly breathing, possibly surveying the area. Then a woman speaks, completely confusing me. "This is the newest scene of today's attacks; as you can see here, extremely dangerous prisoners have escaped their cells and are on the loose. Please refrain from leaving your houses as the prisoners probably do not have any resources with them. If you see the following people, do not approach them." The women finishes, taking a deep breath, cutting off the cameras before saying. "I could've been shot if they were still in here. You could've at least went down first!" I hear the clickety clack of her heels as she walks around, Ethan gripping onto my wrist, almost like a Chinese burn but minus the burn.

She lets out a scream as she notices Ethan and I out of the corner of her eye. "What are you two doing here? You scared the shit out of me!" She shouts, slowly tracing her steps back to the door in case she needed to save herself.

I wince at Ethan, waiting for him to speak up. When he doesn't, I squeeze his hand, signalling that it'll all be fine in the end. This scene is worse than any out of a movie. We should have the upper hand but we don't. We're all helpless because we don't know who to trust. I trust Ethan and he's the only one I can right now.

I decide to stand up, knowing that cameramen and police men won't hurt me, albeit who I am. "Guys, Ethan here needs an ambulance -- he got shot." I speak as confidently as possible, helping Ethan sit himself down on the office chair.

A female officer stalks forward and I stare back at her as she doesn't say a word. I watch as the News Reporter leaves and is replaced by two medics of big build, running towards Ethan. The female officer watches them help him up the stairs as quickly as possible and she lets out an unexpected tear.

Once we're on our own, she finally speaks up. "Is he okay?" She asks, beginning to scour the room. She stops when she reaches the small puddle of blood amassed from Ethan's wound.

"No idea." I reply, feeling hesitant towards talking to an officer who's name I don't even know.  I've never seen an officer -- other than Ethan -- show remorse. It's weird, unfamiliar and foreign. It doesn't feel natural. "When I woke up he had passed out and then he regained consciousness." I add, knowing it probably made me seem like a bitch.

"Wait," she begins. I already know what's coming. "You're a criminal." She adds, scrunching her face up in a mixture of disgust and confusion.