FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

10.

My day started off pretty normal this morning. I went for my 5am jog, stopped at my favorite coffee shop to get my usual vanilla latte and I went home and showered before starting my day at the hospital. There was only one thing left to do before going to work: stopping at the bank.

"Good morning Tianna" I greet the sweet lady behind the glass. Her glasses sit on the ridge of her nose as she jots a few things down on her paper before looking up at me. Her mouth forms a smile.

"Hello darling. Are we making a deposit today?" I've been here a few times she must know the drill.

"Yes we are"

That is the last normal conversation I had with Tianna before everything went to hell.

Gunshots fire and screams fill the building. All hell breaks loose as everyone inside flees to safety. The glass in front of me shatters and I am on the ground covering my head. I dare bring my head up slowly as I try to look around the building. Three masked faces stand at the entrance all holding an AK-47 shooting up the place.

"Everyone up against the wall!!" The tallest one yells.

Fear shoots through my entire body as I crawl to behind the counter. Tianna is lying on the floor, pieces of glass litter the cold floor. There is blood trickling down her forehead. No no no no. I check for a pulse. It's there but weak. I examine her body to make sure she was not hit. Warmth meets my fingers as I press beneath her rib cage. She's been shot. Dammit!

I whisper very softly "Tianna? Can you hear me?"
No response. My ears start to ring. Another shot fires. I screw my eyes shut. Remain calm. I talk myself into taking deep breathes as I figure out how to help Tianna during this madness. We are towards the back of the building and I hope the men stay up front to give me enough time to save Tianna from bleeding out. "Don't die on me Tianna. Stay with me" My fingers tremble as I reach into my pocket for my phone. I dial 9-1-1 and anxiously pray the masked guys do not come back here. I can hear people whimpering and crying out for help. I take a peak over the counter to see where they are. Two of the men are barricading the front doors as the tall one starts gathering people up against the wall. His back is facing me.

"9-1-1 what is your emergency"

"I'm at Venice bank, shots have been fired and there's three guys with black masks covering their faces. I have a lady in her fifties, she's been hit! I don't know who else has been hurt. Send help" The words come flying out my mouth.

"Ma'am did you say shots were fired?"

"Yes!! Please send help now! I'm not sure how much longer she has until she bleeds out on me"

"Try finding an area where you can hide. Help is on the way. I can talk you through helping the woman-"

"I'm a doctor, I'll manage. All I need is for you guys to hurry bef-"

"Hey!" There's an AK-47 pointing right at me. My phone falls to the ground and I slowly bring my hands up. I watch as he stomps on my phone completely destroying it with the bottom of his boot.

"Please" I beg. "She needs help" I look down at Tianna.

"I don't care what she needs! Get up. NOW" the masked guy grabs me by the arm but I shove him away. I can't leave Tianna there to die.

"Let me help her!" I shout. Pain flushes through me as his AK-47 makes contact with my jaw.

"Get against the wall now or I swear to god I will shoot you" he says through gritted teeth. Tears sting my eyes as I fight to help Tianna.

"Look I'll do whatever but please let me help her first" My hands remain in the air.

The man points his weapon away from me and towards the marble ground. One. Two. Three. That's how many times he shot Tianna before her body goes completely still. I watch in horror, a scream threatens to rip out my throat but nothing comes out as I fall to my knees. Silent cries is all I can manage as I crawl to her. The man brings his foot up and kicks me right in my stomach flipping me on my back. My body collapses on the floor only inches from Tianna.