Told between before the dark and after Morgan Amy recounts the trauma and loss she experiences after a tragic school shooting. Morgan never thought she'd ever be affected by gun violence. But now the aftermath of what was supposed to be a normal sc...
"I shouldn't have taken AP Calc" Nia groans massaging her forehead with her finger before stopping in front of vending machine.
"I'd honestly rather die right now than have to go through thirty minutes of actual brain torture."
I scoff, "Nia- don't expect me to feel bad for you because you're smart."
Nia laughs and the vending machine rumbles before releasing a frosted water bottle at her feet.
"Thanks for your sympathy." She says rolling her eyes.
"Always." I giggle with a small smile. "Those boots are really cute though- were did you get them?"
"Oh Steve Mad-"
Nia never gets to finish her sentence before she's interrupted by loud chilling pops that seem to echo painfully in my ears.
It doesn't register to me at first.
Until I hear the second round of pops does my brain- that's moving at a million miles an hour register that I've heard gun shots.
I'm mute to the screaming. But I know that people are. I can tell by the vibrations that seem to pound through my body. Swinging back and forth in my chest that feels emptier by the minute.
I know people are screaming because of the opened sickening mouths of I see on others. It's as if the world has been put in slow motion, because I see a teacher fall to the ground as bullets blow through his chest and abdomen. And the smell of blood. No fear.
I'm choking on it.
"Come on!" Nia says and the world returns to normal.
We duck into a classroom right before the door is locked closed by a group of huge guys from the hockey team. With sweat dripping down their face from shock and fear they attempt to push some desks against the door before finding a place to hide.
It's cold, and dark, and I can feel Nias heartbeat against my own as we hold onto each other behind the teachers desk.
My shirt is wet from Nias silent tears, but I can't cry right now. All I can picture is the bullets ripping through my old biology teacher. How I watched his face fall as he realized what had happened. How his body lay limp on the ground. People shoes smearing his blood through the hall as they ran.
I just blink numb.
There's a part of me that urges me to text my parents. But I barely can my fingers shake so much.
Morgan: Mama I love you. And I love dad and Sienna. Thank you for making my life so full of love and happiness. I'll miss you.
Mom: Morgan?
Mom: Morgan what's happening?
Mom: Morgan-please pick up.
Morgan: pls call the police. There's an active shooter on campus. I love u.
I put down my phone as finally a tear rolls down my cheek and I realize. I don't want to fucking die. I don't want to say goodbye to my family. My friends.
Oh my god I don't want to die.
I hold onto Nia as we try to keep our sobs quiet. It feels almost impossible because-
I'm so scared.
Nia shakes against me and I squeeze my eyes shut.
I've never been religious but I find myself praying to a God I never cared enough about to know- begging him to keep me safe. Alive.
I hear the clicking on a doorknob and my body freezes completely.
I sit so quietly I don't dare to breathe.
There's a few loud thuds and I hear the door crash open.
Nias grip on my arm tightens. I turn to face her but only meet empty eyes.
She knows.
I know.
It's over.
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