The 9th Hour

Jess

4:01 to 4:25

After his loud scream and him nearly dropping my in a bush we continued to the station. It was different between us. It felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders or I was free from a little secret I was told to tell no one. I felt safe and comfortable. We half way to the station now. I was so tired. My legs hurt and I just wanted to sit down and rest. It isn't that I am lazy and can't do anything, it's that after everything that has happened it just makes me tired. Especially trying not to worry. 

We walk the side walk hand in hand. It was so peaceful. Until the sirens came. Going to the school. Two cars drove by with their sirens on the way we came. To the school. Another car comes by but stops by us and rolls the window down. "Are you both from North Chancy High?"We look to each other and smile. We turn back to the officer, Officer Jenkins, and nod, and smile spreading from ear to ear. She can tell our excitement and smiles back. "Well we are here to help, hope in." Be fore we get in, we hug each other. He lifts me off the ground and hugs me tight. They will be safe. They will save Jack. They will help. We climb in and I lean on his shoulder we make our way to the high school. Again. When we reach there, there were canopies with nurses at the ready, maps of the school in one, and food, water, and other supplies in another. There were officers scattered all over the front of the gym. There were some talking to others with s cup of coffee and others talking with the chief about were to scout out around the school. They surrounded the canopy with all the maps scattered on a tables making a U. 

Officer Jenkins lead us over to the tent with the maps that Chief Brody was under observing all of the maps. When the crowd of officers left Chief Brody was left alone. When we were near he turned and signaled for us to come over. "Officer Jenkins, follow these nice kids around and make sure they get what they want and stay safe." He turned back to the maps as another group approached. We stood there for a while. When he realized we were still there he turned and waved his hand for us to go. "You may leave." Evan turned to leave but I stay put. Pissed.

"Excuse me." He turned around. "I have friends in that gym. I have a step brother in that gym. You need to get officers in there. Not scouting the school. Everyone is in there." He ignored me and began to turn back to the group coming. I walked forward and slapped him. Now I am really angry. He turned back to me once more. He toward over me about a foot and a half. He was much stronger then any kid in our school. "I am speaking to you. I want you to send you best people in and if you don't I will go in there myself." I didn't care about getting anxiety or anything. I want my brother back. I want him here, with me, safe in my arms so we can go home and do what we normally do. Fix hot chocolate and watch a movie like Harry Potter or Star Wars. I started to cry. I tried not to, but I couldn't. "I want Jack back. So we can share everything. Go home where it is safe." I dropped to my knees and put my face in my hands. I felt and arm on my shoulder. But it didn't come from behind, it came from the front. I looked up to see Chief Brody kneeling in front of me. "We are trying our best. We will try to get them out safely and unharmed. We just need you to be patient. We are trying to figure out if there are any other people that are helping. Will you wait? We just want to keep people as safe as they can." I slowly nod and he helps me up. I couldn't stop myself. All the anxiety I was holding in escaped. I hug the chief tight and he taps my back. 

Evan pulls me away and we are escorted to another tent. We sit underneath, a hot chocolate in my hand and a blanket wrapped around me. Evan sits beside me and rubs my back. "Jessica!" I turn around and spot Eve. "Eve!" I start to get up but she was already here. "Oh my goodness. Your OK. Where is Jack?" I look down ashamed. I should have got him to go to the conference room. So I wouldn't be like this. Or I would be in this situation. "He... He is ... in the gym." She backs away covering her mouth but soon steps closer and hugs me again. She was trying to stay calm. She knew I loved him and she knew that I have anxiety. She normally blamed it on herself since the day I arrived (or left on steps in front her door, whichever you prefer) she had a party. I always told her it was my mother fault but she didn't listen. I sit there holding onto her. I turn to look at Evan. He smiles. I knew he told them to call her and gave them her number. I smile back and pull away from my step mother and move to Evan. He wraps one arm around me and I wrap one around him. Eve looks at us and smiles. Jack and her always bet we would end up together. I didn't believe it until it happened. 

The chief comes over with two deputes trailing behind him. "OK, the only thing we found was that the doors are locked and when giggled it makes a loud noise. Do any of y'all know any other way in. I begin to think of the layout of the gym and remember the dressing room doors. "There are doors in the back of the dressing rooms. We can sneak through there." The chief nods. 

"I'll send some people through." I walk over to him. This time I will not break into tears. "No."

"No?" I stand straight so I can match his height, some what.

"If you send officers in they will be recognized it has to be kids. We go to this school so it will be perfect." He begins to compose this and Eve jumps in. "No. I will not let you go in there. You are out they will find another way. Right , Chief Brody." She looks at him in hops he would disagree.

I stare at him hopefully. He can let me do this one thing.

"I agree." Eve sighs. I began an argument. "They should go in. It is like undercover work." Eve begins to cry. Now for me and Evan?

We began our way to the dressing room doors by the band room.