Autumn Silence (On Hold)

Chapter Three

He pulls himself away from me and stands up. As the man steps away from me I crumple to the floor. I tremble violently. Sickened and feeling dirty I cough up blood in the corner, my whole body convulsing.

"Please," I cry, my tears burn my eyes. He drives his boot into my stomach, winding me. I cower over and sob. The tears run down my cheeks.

The man grabs me by my hair and hauls me to my feet. I scream and claw at his hands. Pain ripples across my skull. "Let go!" I beg. He pulls me out from underneath the stairs and throws me against the wall.

I lie on the floor and cry, curling up into a tight ball. "Stop," I choke through her tears. I cover my head with my arms. "Please," my voice is muffled by my crying. "Stand up!" the man orders. I don't move, instead I remain cowering on the ground. The sickening feeling keeps me grounded.

Will's eyes flicker around the room, darting between Marissa and Oliver's terrified faces. "All of you stand up!" the man shouts. None of us move, frozen like mere animals are the point of a rifle. "Now!" the man yells pointing the gun at Marissa and pulling the trigger.

I begin screaming and clutching the side of my head as if trying to hold it together. Will jumps as her blood sprays over the brick wall. Her whole body falls lifelessly to the ground. Oliver's eyes widen and he begins shaking violently. Kaylee is shaking and her wide eyes are filled with fear. All the strength she had is now draining away, leaving her pale.

"Stand up!" the man says, the barrel of the gun darting between us. Trembling Oliver slowly rises to his feet. Will grabs me by my slim shoulders and pulls me to my feet. I'm certain he can feel me shaking beneath his hands. He glances at Kaylee and tugs on her upper arm. He pulls her onto her feet while still keeping a grip on me. We huddle closer to the cold wall.

"Get in a line!" the man snaps. Gradually we form a line, too scared to disobey the man. Marissa's blood pools around my feet. The hems of my jeans sweep across her blood. It's still warm as it streams out of her vanes, leaking into the cracks in the concrete.

The man aims the gun at Oliver. My breath is stolen out of my chest leaving me empty. The man jerks back on the trigger. Oliver's blood sprays over Kaylee, Will and I. The blast echoes inside the damp air as Oliver's body collapses. His blood runs over my skin. Silent tears run down my face as the man points the gun at me.

"Why?" I manage to choke. The man places his finger on the trigger. My head swirls with horror, adrenaline and the sickening feeling twisting inside my stomach. I stumble forward, breaking free of Will's grasp. The man pulls the trigger. The sound is deafening as I collapse. I clutch my chest, my hand covering the bullet wound just below my collar bone. My blood trickles over my fingers as pain wrenches through my body. I open my mouth to scream and cry but no sound comes. I just let out an empty, desperate breath.

The man re-aims the gun, pointing it at the side of my head. Will hesitates for a split second, his brown eyes flashing between me and the stranger. Will moves rapidly towards the man. He grabs the gun and tries to wrestle it away from the man. Kaylee's eyes form huge circles and she stares in disbelief. The gun goes off and the bullet rips through Will's side.

Gasping in pain his jaw tightens. He punches the man hard and fast. The man stumbles backwards, releasing the gun. Will lets it drop to the floor and darts over to me. He scoops me up into his arms. I wince in the hot flush of agony. I barely watch the pain cross over his face.

"Kaylee!" he shouts. Kaylee seems to break from her terrified trance. He races towards the door, awkwardly pushing it open. Kaylee remains close behind him as we slip out into the hall.

Will moves swiftly despite his injuries and my weight. He darts around the corner while I gasp desperately for air. It's as if my lungs are made of a sticky, heavy substance that refuses to move. Kaylee's eyes flash over me. "Is she going to make it?" he voice is a weak breath. Will nods as he turns a sickly pale.

My eyes become coated in a thick liquid that must be tears. I can feel the rise and fall of his chest against my side. His heart beats rapidly beneath his flesh, frantic and sick. His blood trickles over me.

Stumbling he walks towards the doors. Kaylee's eyes dart around fearfully before locking on Will's wound. "Come on," she whispers. The fear that held her has finally released her.

I can feel my energy deteriorating rapidly. Kaylee manages to push the doors open and we stagger out into the blinding sunlight. I can see polices surrounding the school. Yellow tape is all that separates us from the crowd of desperate people and squad cars. Police officers have their guns pointed towards us.

"They're hurt," Kaylee gasps moving forward. She walks swiftly in front of us. The pain overruns me. Unable to bare my weight or his own Will sinks to his knees. Carefully Will lies me on the hard ground. He doubles over and winces in pain. He grips his side and groans through his teeth.

Kaylee whirls around and stares at the both of us. I hear the panic steal her breath. She scurries down beside us. My breathing becomes quick and shallow, only small, desperate gasps. Kaylee gently smooths my hair out of my bloodied face. "Come on," her voice has changed from the hard, brave tone to a motherly, tender tone.

Her brown eyes flash between Will and I. "You did good," Kaylee breathes, reaching across me and putting her hand on Will's shoulder.

A police officer runs over to us. He kneels beside Kaylee. "Crap," the officer gasps, his eyes moving rapidly over the three of us.

"Amy!" Mike shouts trying to move through the crowd. I can only just see him pushing people aside. He forces his way through a group of police officers and ducks under the thin yellow tape. Cass follows close behind him, nearly stepping on his heels. Both of them run over to us.

They freeze and stare us. I dig my fingers into my chest as my blue eyes meet with Mike's. My lower lip trembles and an icy feeling overwhelms my muscles. I cough violent and try to scream out in pain. "Where's the paramedics?!" the police officer shouts.

"Hang on," Kaylee coos.

"Does he have anyone else?" he asks.

Will lifts his head and slowly shake it, "Most of this blood isn't mine." The officer stares at him for a long moment as paramedics sweep over us.