Memory Lane

Chapter 35: Hero

Performed songs: Chasing Pavements by Adele, Valerie by Amy Winehouse
Mentioned songs: -
Inspired songs: Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
(Special dedication to all those who have survived school shootings. It takes a courage to move on from a traumatic event. You are strong and we love you.)

"Valerie?" Falcon asked, wallrunning across a small gap trying to reach a location. "Where are you?"

"I'm hiding in a classroom. There is a guy trying to break in... help me, I'm scared..."

"Don't move, I'm coming there." Falcon vaulted a railing, clambering down to the second storey and quickly swinging to the floor, quickly spotting the guy trying to break in.

She leapt, catching the guy by the neck from behind and leaving him in a chokehold that he could not react well to as he finally passed out on the ground.

There were gunshots in the distance. Quickly, Falcon kicked to the ground floor all of the dude's weapons, including his knife.

Judging by the intermittent shots, she would guess three gunmen in the building including this guy? Could be more, could be less. She hung up her phone as she knocked on the door.

"Valerie, it's me! I dealt with him. You can let me in now." No sooner had she finished speaking did Valerie open the door and yank Falcon in, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Why did you go looking for me?!" she hissed, trying to lock and close the door.

"I was supposed to be with you in the first place!" Falcon said, taking in the young, frightened people. "Don't be afraid. We're going to get through this, okay?"

"They locked all the gates..." Valerie grumbled. "Do you know how to open them?"

"I'm not supposed to know this, but all the gates are opened by the head office. There's a switch there that automatically opens all the gates. Some students were able to climb the fence and get free but majority are hiding in the school. Because the school initiated lockdown, all the gates are closed. They probably shot up the head office before they could open the gates to let us out. Theoretically we can open the gates... let everybody escape."

"The police are here," Valerie said, eyes wide.

"They can't exactly get in," Falcon pointed out. "We have a state of the art security system. They are trying to radio in, but without us radioing out, they can't exactly barge in either."

"So we have to get to the head office?"

Falcon looked at the children and the ensuing gunshots rang over their heads. Her hands were already caked with blood and she felt like throwing up. "What other choice do we have?"

BLAM!

The door slammed. The guy that Falcon choked outside was pissed as all hell, determined to get into the room and strangle Falcon with both his bare hands.

"Everyone, stay back," Falcon warned lowly. The lock was strong, electromagnetic plates, but the door itself could only hold so much.

"You... piece of shit...!"

"Flimsy fucking doors..." Falcon swore, but jumped back as a fist crashed through the door, feeling around for the doorknob. Valerie screamed and scrambled back, but Falcon seized the hand and jerked it in the opposite direction, using all of her force and mass to break the man's arm.

The bloodcurdling scream was horrendous. Falcon faltered slightly. The man tried to pull his arm back, but Falcon unlocked the door and gave it a hard shove, since the door opened outwards, pushing the man away from the door before she aimed a kung fu kick at his ribs.