This Day Will Break Us.

Five

NADINE

9:20 am – 9:24 am

Jonah spent the past couple of minutes taunting me and our classmates. He let out a barrage of insults and profanities I never thought he could say; he made it clear to me that the Jonah I befriended and adored before was long gone.

"Stop this, please," I begged and he looked at me once more. Jonah smirked and moved closer. He then raised his gun and pointed it at the side of my head.

"You think you're brave now, huh? Where's your boyfriend? Oh, that's right, he's dead already!"

"That's not true," I whispered, hoping James was out there and safe. Jonah laughed and moved the gun to my forehead.

"He will not come for you ... Nadine, you have to accept that."

"Then do it," I replied before pressing my forehead on the muzzle of his gun. I knew Jonah would pull the trigger, I knew it ... but he didn't. Instead, he started laughing maniacally and told me he was impressed. He removed the gun from my forehead and pointed it our classmates.

"You're brave now ... you're not afraid to die ... I like it ... the question is, are they like you?" he asked.

"Jonah ... please ... you can still turn things around. I promise I won't tell the police that you shot our teacher ... just please, don't." I pleaded. Jonah stared at me and smiled. He lowered his gun and stood up straight.

"Fine ... step out of the classroom, please." He said. I glanced at my classmates and saw the horrified expressions on their faces. I knew right at that moment that they had an idea what was going to happen next.

"Why?" I questioned him.

"Because you and I are gonna have a lot of fun alone. Step out or I'll start shooting their heads off."

I took a deep breath and quickly walked out of the classroom. But as soon as my feet stepped into the hallway, I heard another round of gunshots go off.

I knew that was it. I knew I was going to die.

--

AVERY

9:23 am – 9:27 am

Kim and I hid under two separate teacher's tables. I pressed my back on the wood behind me and listened closely. The footsteps grew louder and just a few seconds later, I saw the shadow of a man on the wall. I gulped and glanced at Kim, only to see him praying with his eyes closed.

The man entered the room and scanned the place. He turned to his side and I saw the silhouette of a gun. A part of me wanted to come out and fight him but I knew that would be a foolish thing to do. After spending a few moments inside the room, the man stepped out once more without even looking under the tables. Once the coast was clear, Kim and I crawled out of our hiding places.

"I have to go get Natalie," I told him.

"I can't come with you," Kim answered in a terrified voice.

"That's okay, we'll come back for you on our way out."

"Take care, bro."

"I will." I uttered. And with that, I quietly made my way out of the administrative office.

--

RICHARD

9:24 am – 9:28 am