What About Us?

Chapter 14

Jacob

So our school runs differently than most. One of those things being that our school runs all year round. We got a good two months off for break and now we are back into school. I don't mind, I take a mechanics class and have a lot of fun. Today was different though.

In History we started talking about the shooting that happened and guns control laws in America. My teacher started listing famous campus shootings, he asked me to read a passage. Sure gun violence is a sore spot in my personal history, but this was class nothing to worry about. I was nearing the end when it started talking about the San Bernardino shooting.

I'm originally from New Mexico, so when I was making my way to camp I passed through San Bernardino, I happened to be present when the shooting occurred. It was TERRIFYING! Even worse than when my dad shoots at me. I go halfway through the passage before I stopped, I was shaking like a leaf and couldn't control my heartrate.

"Will you . . . excuse me . . ." I got up and ran out of the classroom. I was planning on returning to class to get my homework but it didn't work that way.

I left the classroom and walked around the building trying to steady my nerves. It's one thing to read about a past event, it's a whole different experience reading about an even you have personally experienced.

<*>

I was just passing through. I had run away from home and was almost out of supplies. San Bernardino was a nice place, they had cheap prices and nice college students who helped me out. I was repacking my bags outside a lecture hall when I heard gun shots from inside.

I was no stranger to gun shots and the constant threat of them looming over my head. But this was different. Back home it was only a threat, here the shooter didn't care. He would kill me.

The student I was with pushed me into the crowd as they came running out of the building.

"GO! GET OUT OF HERE!" She yelled. I started running.

I glanced back when there was another shot and the girl that had helped me, Emily, crumpled next to the bench. Another shot rang out and I felt a burning sensation in the side of my arm, but I kept running.

I'm not sure how far I got, but eventually the shots faded into nothing and I stumbled over a rock. I went sliding into the woods, I was too scared and exhausted to care.

<*>

"JACOB! WAIT UP!" I heard Melisa call behind me. I stopped and heard her run to catch up. "Where the . . . why the . . . hang on . . ." She started fumbling around until she found her inhaler. She took a few puffs before continuing, "Why did you leave? Did something happen?"

"I . . . can't explain." I said

"Well, at least take your bag. It's killing my back."

She tossed my bag on the ground and I threw it over my shoulder. I started to walk toward my next class when she stopped me.

"Jacob, what's up with you? When you're upset, you at least TRY to hide it." She said

"I'm fine. Let go, I'm going to be late." I said shaking her off.

"JACOB!"

I ignored her. I know it was the wrong thing to do but I couldn't go through her questioning right now. I needed time.