From Embers

T W O

   I looked down at my watch, it was 11:57. Three minutes until I leave. Psychology had taken a lot of my focus during this block, I did not even talk to one of my closest friends, Jessica. I asked my teacher if I could use the restroom before I left, and she just nodded and went back to doing something on her computer. The halls were ominously quiet, not a soul in sight. I walked into the restroom and no one was there as well. I thought it odd, usually I saw someone taking their time to try and burn some time. I washed my hands on my way out and continued back to class. The overhead speakers blared a sound I had never heard before, then the principal came over the intercom. He said three words, repeatedly, three times. I have never felt fear like I had in this moment.

"Lockdown, Lockdown, Lockdown," He yelled over the intercom.

      There was no way I could make it back to my class before my teacher locked the door, leaving me in the open. I looked around for anything, any open door, anyone. I heard the slamming of classroom doors around me, and knew I had run out of options to hide. My heart beat like a bat out of hell and adrenaline coursed through me. I backtracked to the bathroom and got into a stall, locking the door. I had to stay quiet, knowing there was someone in the building that had intentions to hurt a lot of people. I prayed that person would not check my hiding spot. I remained silent, listening for anything. Suddenly, there was a pounding sound somewhere in the hallway. Someone sprinted past the bathroom I was in, and their labored breathing told me it was not the threat. I heard pounding on doors, and then a voice.

"Please! Let me in! I need somewhere to hide! Please!" A girl's voice called out.

Another set of footsteps sounded in the opposite direction of her voice. The footsteps were heavy and slower. I heard a deafening gunshot, and something hit the floor. Then came a scream that rattled my spine. The gunman was right outside.

"Too easy," A husky voice spoke out. "Time to finish the job."

      I heard the drawback of his weapon and a casing hit the floor. Anger blemished inside of me. I had to stop him, I had to do something. Quietly, I unlocked the door to the stall I was in and continued towards the bathroom door. I opened a crack and saw the gunman. He was standing about fifteen feet away, pointing his weapon directly at the girl that had already been shot. I opened the door full and charged into the hall, preparing to tackle the man. He heard me step out of the restroom, he swung his weapon a full 180 and pointed it directly at me. Before I could realize what was about to happen, another shot rang out. I closed my eyes and put my hands up. I did not feel anything go through me. I opened my eyes and I was standing directly behind the gunman. He shook his head in confusion and frantically looked around. I did not know what to do, so I did what I had planned and pulled him to the ground. I grabbed his weapon and threw it across the hall. He struggled against my strength and broke free, pushing himself to his feet. I was on my feet before I knew it and he threw a punch directly at my face. I ducked under it and squared my hands in front of me. I did not know how to fight or throw a punch so I recalled what I had seen before. He threw another and I dodged again. I don't know how I was able to dodge his punches. I threw one of my own so fast I barely saw my fist move. I hit him directly in the nose. He recoiled from the force of my punch and almost lost his balance.

"What the hell!" He yelled

      I threw another punch, landing on the side of his face. His head snapped to the left from the force again. I was winning this fight! I threw another and hit his temple. His eyes rolled back for half a second and I realized I needed to hit him again in the same spot with more force; it would knock him out and it would all be over. He threw a lazy punch and I was not ready for it, it hit me in the cheek. Barely flinching, I threw another at him as hard as I could. It connected with his temple and he flew to the ground from the force. I took a good look at him, making sure he was out. My eyes connected to the weapon that lied beside him. I walked over to it and kicked it down the hallway. I turned to the girl on the ground behind me. She was shot in the leg, blood was pooling beneath her and she stared at me wide eyed.

"H-How did you d-do that?" She spoke almost silently

"I don't know," I said back.

      I pulled my phone out and dialed 911. They picked up on the second ring and I told them what happened. The operator said Police were already on scene and would head inside to me now, and they would send an ambulance immediately. I told them to hurry, that the girl was bleeding badly. They told me to stay on the line, I put my phone on the ground and turned on my speaker.

"Police are here, and an ambulance is coming to get you." I spoke to the girl.

"You saved me, no matter what happened there. You saved my life." She stated.

"I knew I had to do something, I couldn't just stand by and watch someone die."

"Thank you," She responded.

I looked back at the gunman and he was starting to stir, I rose from the girl and went back over to him. He opened his eyes and started to get up. I was already over top of him.

"W-What?" He mumbled

"You're done hurting everyone." I spat at him.

      I reeled back my fist and threw one last punch at him, it connected with his temple again and his head hit the ground from the force of my hit. He went out cold again. I walked back over to the girl as police rushed towards us, I remained still and answered all of the police's questions. They were wondering how I disabled him and I filled them in. They didn't seem to believe me until the girl told them the same thing. They took the man away and took his weapon with them. An ambulance picked up the girl and took her to the hospital, and a cleaning crew came in to clean the blood off the floor. The police took a statement from me and left, and school was cancelled for tomorrow. I saved someone's life today and don't know how. I moved too fast, I have never moved that fast before. I threw punches that knocked someone to the ground. Where did all of this come from and why is it happening to me?