The Red Room

𝕋ℍ𝕀ℝ𝕋𝔼𝔼ℕ

School was painful. I had to see Morgan all the time. I could tell he didn't love me anymore. He didn't smile when he saw me or tease me at every chance he got during class like he used to. Instead he barely spoke to me and glanced away every time we saw each other outside of class.

We were still technically dating, which I couldn't understand. If he didn't love me and I was abusive, why didn't he break up with me? Is he scared of me and what I might do if he ends things? I already promised him I wouldn't hurt him again, though he probably doesn't believe me. After all, he doesn't even know me.

We were in science class on the last day. Not the last day of school for everyone, but what would be the last day for Morgan and me.

We were just doing our work and avoiding each other though we sat next to one another. All of the sudden the principals voice came in the loud speakers, "There is an active shooter in the east wing of the building, this is not a drill, we are going on lockdown, I repeat, this is not a drill."

Our teacher stood up and said, "Everyone, out the window and run as far as you can." She pointed you the window. We were on the second floor. The drop would be about thirty to fifty feet.

A lot of kids started panicking. I wasn't worried though. I was trained on how to deal with active shooters. Kids started jumping out the window. Each of them broke at least one bone because the fools were never trained in how to properly jump out a window. "Tuck and roll." I whispered to Morgan.

"What?"

"Tuck and roll when you reach the ground so you don't break anything."

"Oh, thanks." Morgan was also in panic mode.

I volunteered to go last, and it's a good thing too, because right as the last kid (Morgan) jumped out the window the door of the classroom pushed open causing my teacher to scream. The shooter had her gun pointed directly at me and surge of familiar adrenaline surged through my veins. 

The shooter was just a normal kid, a Sophomore. She looked scared and uncertain with her gun, but she also looked angry. "You." She pointed the gun at me, hatred in her eyes. "You stole Morgan from me and treated him badly. I will kill you for that."

My absolute lack of panic and fear appeared to make her even angry. "You dated him?" I asked, just making conversation.

"No, but I loved him more than anyone ever could, and once I've killed you he will thank me and we will be together forever." She now had an insane look in her eyes.

"Oh okay, go ahead, give it your best shot." Amy really did rub off on me. I knew the shooter couldn't fire it correctly. She was holding it completely wrong and her hands were shaking so much you could hear the bullets rattling inside of it.

"Why aren't you scared?" She screamed.

"Oh, just 'cause." I decided I'd played around with her enough. With an abrupt movement I slid on the ground and knocked her feet from beneath her. While she was distracted I knocked the gun out of her hand and it skidded across the floor.

She looked horrified and lunged at me. I sidestepped and dodged her easily. Then I ran to the window and hung by the ledge. I let go and when I got to the ground I did a tuck and roll.

I stood up and ran into the cornfield beside the school. Parts of corn stocks slapped my face as I ran. I ran for a long time before I bumped into something hard. I fell back on my butt. I looked up to see Morgan, also on the ground but very much alive. "Morgan! Thank God!" I got up and then helped him to his feet. Then I hugged him because it seemed like the right thing to do in this situation.