Page 150 of Resurrection
I can hear it—the occasional shots coming from the first floor. Not as loud as before, scattered across stretching time as if the shooter's looking for something—looking for targets.
In the corner furthest from the door, Adri fumbles with his radio again.
"This is Sheriff Adrian Medina. I'm at Sageview Ridge High School. We have an active shooter situation on premises. I've got civilians hiding with me in a classroom on the second floor, northwest wing." His voice is a rushed staccato, and it cracks halfway through his speech.
There's a sputter of static before a response comes through. "Copy that, Sheriff Medina. All available units are en route. ETA eight minutes. What's your status?"
Adri glances nervously toward the barricaded door. "The shooter is still active, moving through the first floor. I can hear sporadic gunfire—it sounds like an AK-style rifle. My priority is securing the civilians until backup arrives." He pauses, his brow furrowing. "I'm not sure if there's more than one perpetrator, but it seems to be just one from what I can tell."
"Understood. Any casualties?"
"I saw one male down on the first floor, looked like a gunshot wound. I couldn't get a better look without exposing myself."
"Copy that. Maintain your position and do not engage."
Adri nods, even though no one can see him. "Ten-four, I'm holding here. We’re taking cover, but I'm concerned about everyone’s safety the longer this drags on." He glances at us before returning his attention to his conversation with the dispatcher. "Just hurry, goddammit. It’s pretty bad."
"Hang tight, Sheriff. Units are closing in. Over and out."
Adri exhales a shaky breath, clipping the radio back to his belt. He stands next to the window, scanning the outside.
His face is tense with emotion, and a noticeable layer of sweat covers his forehead.
"Why is this happening?" I murmur. My voice shakes with fear. I don't recognize it. I don't recognize myself. The world spins and tilts, and Ty's arms are my only anchor.
A distant siren wails through the muffled night air.
Adri’s shoulders drop slightly as relief seeps into his features. "Finally," he mutters through gritted teeth, stepping away from the window.
"Deputies?" Ty clarifies.
My brother nods, using the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow. Suddenly, a gunshot echoes loudly through the hallway, taking us by surprise. The shooter—whoever it is—is on the second floor now.
"Down," Adri hisses. We drop to the floor like stones in water, holding our breath as if any noise might shatter this fragile refuge we’ve found here.
The desks around us are like shadows within shadows while footsteps approach with steady inevitability on the cold linoleum outside the classroom.
"Hey, Pratt!" comes a male voice, rough and grating, bouncing off the hallway walls. "Let’s talk!"
Adri's face tightens with resolve. He presses a finger to his lips—an unspoken command for silence. His eyes lock onto mine, then shift over to Ty. He gestures toward the door that seems both miles away and achingly near.
"What?" I mouth, panic shooting through me like an electric shock.
With deliberate stealth, Adri moves, crouching close to the ground. Through the slim window in the door, even if someone dared to peek inside, only darkness would greet them—it shields him well.
"No," I whisper instinctively when I realize what he's about to do.
Ty claps a hand over my mouth—it's gentle but firm. His eyes speak volumes:Stay quiet or we’re toast. "Shhh," he mouths.
I swallow my fear down hard because I have no choice but to comply while my hands shake despite themselves. Even fist-tightening becomes futile against this torrent of anxiety.
Ty pulls me closer beside him, and somehow there's warmth amidst the sterile chill that grips this room—a tiny shelter from chaos outside these four walls.
"We're okay," he reassures almost inaudibly.
Adri has reached our makeshift barricade by the door and parts the blinds slightly—enough for those vigilant eyes to scan what's out there waiting…watching…
"Not so brave now, huh? Asshole?" the voice in the hallway continues. "Come out, you fucking coward. Let’s talk man to man!"
