Page 10 of Engulfing Emma

“Hold on.”

I do what he says, but it’s hard. Carter fights when I try to tighten the belt. Then he goes limp.

“Oh, God. Carter? Carter wake up.” I shake him gently.

I pick up the phone. “I think I did it wrong. He passed out.”

“Emma, listen to me. You didn’t do it wrong. Look at the wound. Do you see blood coming out? Wipe it clean and watch for a second.”

I do what he says. “There’s no more blood.”

“You’re doing great. How’s Carter’s breathing?”

“A little fast, but he’s not hyperventilating or anything.”

“Can you check his pulse?”

“I know how to do that, but I don’t have a clock to count how fast it is.”

“I’ve got one. I’ll tell you when to start counting. Just tell me when you’re ready.”

I pick up his arm and lay his wrist on my lap. “Ready.”

“Start now.”

I close my eyes and count the pulsations in my head until Brett tells me to stop. “I counted seventy-two. Is that bad?”

“Normal is between sixty and one hundred beats per minute. I had you count for thirty seconds so his pulse is one hundred and forty-four. He’s lost blood and may be in the early stages of hypovolemic shock. But it’s not high enough to panic, okay?”

“What’s high enough to panic?” I ask.

“Let’s not worry about that yet. There is a man here who wants to talk to you. A police officer. You are our only contact inside the building. He wants to ask you a few questions.”

I shake my head vehemently even though I know he can’t see me. But I really don’t want him to give the phone to someone else. Brett’s voice is calm and soothing, and he’s my only tie to the outside. “No. I don’t want to talk to anyone else. Brett, please.”

“Okay, okay,” he says, assuringly.

His words become muffled. He must be cupping a hand over his phone. Then he’s back. “How about if the police officer tells me what to ask you, would that be all right?”

I slump against the wall next to Carter. “I guess that would be okay.”

“Good. They want to know how many gunmen are inside.”

“Just the one,” I say.

“Are you sure? There wasn’t anyone else who came in the school with you who could be working with him?”

“I’m pretty sure. I mean, he kept making this one skinny guy do everything, but he was just caught up in it, like I was. He looked as scared as everyone else. It even looked like he might jump him at one point.”

“Did the gunman tell you his name?”

“Yeah, we’re BFFs now, in case you hadn’t noticed.” I laugh weakly. “Of course not.”

“I didn’t think so. They want to know exactly where you are in the building and where the other hostages are being held. Are any of them tied up?”

I watch Carter’s chest rise and fall as I give Brett as many details as I can. I’ve worked here for three years, and I could find my way around the place blindfolded.

“You’re being very helpful, Emma. They are asking how many hostages there are.”

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