Blake stood in front of the mirror of the girl’s bathroom scrutinizing her reflection. Her eyes were lined with dark circles that sagged like a sunken pit. Somehow, though, her green eyes shone like emeralds and popped against her pale skin. Her auburn hair was knotted into a messy braid she had fashioned after rolling out of bed. Lately, she hadn’t been sleeping well and it showed. Every night for the past week, she had been having the same nightmare over and over again. She had been waking up in a cold sweat, wailing while clutching her mouth to keep the bile from rising in her throat. The worst part was; she could never remember what the dreams were about. All she was left with was a vile feeling in the pit of her stomach that would sit there, rotting, until she drifted off into another fitful sleep.
Blake checked her watch. S***! Nine o’clock! I’m going to be late to class! Blake sprinted out of the bathroom. She needed to find Cass and get to class. She knew exactly where to find her. Cass would wait by the windows across from the bathroom everyday. But today, she wasn’t there. In fact, nobody was there. The entire hallway was empty; except for the books, papers, and backpacks scattered all over the floor. What the hell is going on? Where is everyone? Her heart beat quickened as she frantically looked around, searching for an answer. Maybe there‘s a lock down drill? That‘s probably why the hallway looks like a ghost town. Relief washed over her and she raced to her class. The hallway was eerily silent. She could only hear the sound of her own footsteps echoing as her Converse clicked on the tile and the loud raindrops as they bounced off the window. It’s always raining in this stupid city; the perks of living in Seattle. She turned the corner of the next hallway and stopped dead in her tracks. Matt, a kid she had known since elementary school, stood staring at a poster that explained the procedure for a lock down drill. Maybe he’s just as confused as I am.
“Matt! You don’t know how happy I am to see you. Do you have any idea what’s going on?” she exclaimed. Matt ignored her. He just kept staring at the wall, as if he was in a trance. His plaid flannel shirt was wrinkled and had a tear in the sleeve. Something was wrong.
“Matt? Are you okay?” she pressed. Matt slowly turned to face her. He had something in his hand, something she hadn’t seen before. Peaking out from beneath his sleeve, was a black gun, shining darkly in the light. Her blood ran cold as her eyes locked on the gun. That same sick feeling she woke up with after her nightmares came back, filling her stomach. Blake blinked her eyes a few times, hoping this was just a bad dream. Her worst nightmare had come alive. This was real.
Fear coursed through her veins, like the numbing venom of a snake sinking its fangs into her skin. It spread to her entire body, making her unable to move from where she stood. All she could do was stare at the gun, the gun that was now raised and pointed directly at her.
“Are you still happy to see me, Blake?” Matt said sarcastically. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Blake took a step back in response.
“No, don’t do that Blake. You’re not going anywhere,” he hissed. He walked closer, holding out the gun in his outstretched arm as he approached her. He stopped when he got to her, raised the gun, and held it to her forehead.
“You’re coming with me,” he said coolly. Matt grabbed her arm, yanking her hard and led her down the hallway.
“No!” she screamed. Blake used her free hand and frantically tried to pry his fingers off from her wrist. He tightened his fingers until she could feel his long, claw like nails digging into her skin, drawing blood. She yelped in pain.
“Well look who finally found their voice,” Matt growled. With one swift movement, Matt cracked her in the head with the end of the gun. This time, she was too shocked to make any sound. Her teeth clamped down hard on her tongue. The bitter taste of iron filled her mouth. This can’t be happening.
He continued to drag her down the hallway until they came to a classroom.
“Give me your cell phone,” he demanded. Blake handed it to him quickly.
“Now, I’m going to put you in here with the others,” he said calmly. Blake’s eyes widened. Others? There’s others? Matt nodded, answering her silent question.
“I have to search the rest of this hallway and make sure I found everyone. Understood?”
Before answering, Blake took a minute to study him. Matt was about the same height as her; she was 5’8; he was only a couple inches taller, maybe 5’10. Matt was skinny and scrawny, with lanky arms and legs that seemed too long for his body. Blake figured if she had to fight him, she could because in reality, they really weren’t that different from each other. But, what made them so different was what he held in his hands. He held the power, difference between life and death, in one weapon. After contemplating this, she finally responded,
“Yes,” she whispered softly. Her own voice surprised her. It didn’t even sound like her own. It sounded weak, small, and quiet like a mouse.
He then removed a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and shoved her inside. The room was dimly lit, and it took a minute for Blake’s eyes to adjust to it. She blinked a few times, until she could see clearly. Sitting at the tables, she saw three people from her school, including Cass. Cass jumped up from her seat and nearly knocked Blake over as she hugged her.
“Oh Blake”, she whimpered. “Thank God you’re okay.”
Blake pulled away, holding Cass at arms length to examine her. She was covered in bruises: her blouse was ripped at the shoulder and was spattered with blood. Her right eye was bruised and her lip was swollen and covered in dried blood.
“Oh my gosh Cass, what did he do to you?” Blake screeched.
“Well, I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him take me without putting up a fight,” Cass said softly, smiling weakly. Blake smiled in return. Blake looked around. She knew the other two kids in the room. There was Ty; their track star and Landon; their star basketball player. Landon’s head was bleeding pretty badly.
“Landon look at you! Your head looks horrible. Here, let me get you a towel.” Blake grabbed a towel from a near by closet, ran it under some cold water and handed it to Landon.
“I can’t believe that little s*** did this to me,” Landon exclaimed, pointing to his head. “I was in the media room editing videos with my headphones in, so I didn’t hear anything. When I walked out, he was there. I started to run, but he cornered me and shoved me into a brick wall. It knocked me out cold,” Landon explained bitterly. “The next thing I knew, I woke up in here with Ty and Cass. Guess he musta dragged me here, I’m not sure how though since he’s so small,” Landon scoffed. Blake sighed. It was always a competition with this kid.
“Just be thankful you’re still alive. Ty, how did you get here?” Blake asked.
“Well, Cass and I were talking by the bathrooms waiting for you when Matt just came out of no where with the gun. He musta snuck it into the school. Anyways, everyone freaked out and bolted. Teachers, students, even the principle. Everyone’s gone,” Ty said quietly. He cleared his throat and continued, “We couldn’t get away. He pointed the gun right at me and Cass, so we had no choice but to go with him. Took us in here and told us to wait while he searched the rest of the school. After a while, he came back with Landon, and then you.”
“Does anyone know we’re here?” Blake asked.
“I’m sure they do!” Cass stated confidently. Our parents must be looking for us….right?” Cass asked.
“Of course they are Cass. I’m sure every cop in town is looking for us.” Blake said reassuringly. She reached for Cass’s hand, squeezing it tightly. Ty got up from his chair and flipped open the blinds on the window.
“Well, you’re definitely right about that Blake. Come look,” he said while waving everyone over. The whole school was surrounded by police.
“They came for us!” Cass exclaimed.
“Yeah, but Matt could come back any minute. Who knows how long it’s going to take for the police to get in here. We need a plan,” Ty said.
“You’re right. Okay, here’s what we should do,” Blake said and explained the plan.
Once everyone knew what to do, they all sat down and waited for Matt. Eventually, they heard the creak of the door as it opened. Matt slowly walked into the room laughing sinisterly. Blake stared at him in disgust.
“What are you looking at,” Matt said menacingly.
“I’m just trying to figure out why you find this so funny. Look at Landon, he’s bleeding really badly. He needs to get to a hospital or he could die,” Blake lied. She had to lie. It was their only chance of getting out. Matt peered over to Landon and horror spread across his face, finally realizing what he had done. For the first time all day, Matt looked human. He wasn’t a blood thirsty killer anymore, he was a frightened teenager.
“Is he really hurt that bad?” Matt choked out. He was fighting back tears. Blake nodded. “Oh God, I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Matt started backing away, holding his hands to his face. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen!” he wailed. “I’m just sick; sick of this school and everyone in it! I wake up every morning dreading the day.”
“Oh c’mon Matt, it can’t be that bad,” Ty said softly.
“That’s easy for you to say! The track star, the basketball star, and two of the prettiest girls in school; you guys have it made. Just look at me, I’m nothing but a loser,” Matt said hanging his head.
“You got that right,” Landon said laughing. Matt shut his eyes tight.
“You see, its people like you Landon who make my day a living hell. You shove me in the hallway almost every day, so I shoved back. How does it feel?” Matt screamed pointing at Landon’s head. Landon shifted his hand to his head, feeling the bloody scar.
“Oh, but don’t feel too guilty Landon,” Matt said sarcastically. “You’re not the only one who caused me to do this. Cass and Blake, this is your fault too.” Cass and Blake’s eyes widened with horror.
“Don’t look so shocked. We all used to be good friends in elementary school, remember that? But since high school, you guys have ignored me. Thanks a lot.”
“Matt, I know we haven't talked in a while, but me and Blake have just gotten busy,” Cass explained.
Matt walked over to Cass’s seat, got in her face and yelled, “Oh bull, Cass. You know damn well you’ve ignored me!” Cass’s face crumpled and she started crying, sinking down in her chair.
Blake stood up. “Look, I know what everyone did to you was wrong, but what you’re doing now is wrong too! You brought a gun to school and hurt people. This is serious Matt!”
“I know,” Matt said quietly looking at the gun in his hands.
“But you can change it! Just give yourself up now Matt. You’re a good kid. The police will understand” Blake pleaded. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Matt flinched, but didn’t protest.
“Please Matt. Just let us go,” Blake begged.
Matt looked around the room, looked out the window at all the police officers, and looked into the eyes of his classmates. Guilt spread across his face. He lifted his gaze from the gun and looked straight into Blake’s eyes. She smiled kindly.
“Just give me the gun Matt and we can all walk out of here together,” Blake said.
Matt’s eyes turned icy. “No Blake, it’s too late,” he whispered coldly.
He shoved Blake back wards, knocking her to the floor.
“No Matt don’t!” Blake shrieked while shielding her face.
Instead of shooting Blake, he turned the gun on himself. He placed it to his temple and before pulling the trigger he whispered, “I’m sorry.”