Page 148 of Resurrection
I don’t remember what’s where very well. It’s been seventeen years since I stepped foot in this part of the school building. Most of my volunteer activities happen either at the gym or inside the assembly hall, which are both located in different buildings.
Ty readjusts his grip and dashes forward. "Come on, Nomes. Let’s find somewhere to hide until the authorities get here."
A woman to my right, Sharon, is shoved into the wall by a passing man in a suite. She slips to the floor, hitting it with her shoulder with a pained cry.
I yank Ty's hand and move toward her to help.
"Take off your platforms, Sharon. They are too heavy. They'll slow you down," I rattle off, as I drop into a crouch and try to lift her up.
She looks at my bare feet with dread in her eyes, and fumbles with the zipper on her left boot. I grab the other one and remove them together.
"Sharon!” a female voice carries from somewhere nearby.
Then another woman rushed over. All three of us, including Ty, get Sharon back on her feet.
"Thanks, you guys," she rasps out before her friend hauls her away.
"Let's go." Ty steers us forward.
We make no more than three steps, when I spot him at the far end of the hallway, moving against the foot traffic.
My brother.
"Hey, you goddamned lovebirds!" he shouts, pushing through a group of people who are arguing. His service weapon is drawn but held low. "Come on, we need to find cover."
"Adri! What are you doing here?" I choke out.
"What do you think, Shrimp?" he replies, reaching us. There’s a hint of panic in his voice, but it’s so subtle, most people wouldn’t notice. "I'm doing my job."
"Do you know what's happening?" Ty asks, glancing around.
"Someone started shooting outside the gym," Adri quickly explains. "That's all I know."
"Is it just one shooter, or are there more?" Ty continues.
"Why would anyone do this at a high school reunion?" I wonder aloud.
"Don’t know, Shrimp." He grabs me by my elbow and starts walking. "That’s not important right now?"
"Is this some kind of prank?"
"I wish," Adri grumbles.
We break from the crowd. Ty’s still holding my hand and my shoes, and I feel like a doll being dragged by them.
More yelling. Another set of shots fired. This time, they’re closer. The shooter—or shooters—is out of the gym, probably inside the connecting corridor or maybe in the main building.
Footsteps.
Chairs clattering to the floor.
A single shot rings out.
I freeze, terror locking my legs. Tyler and Adri tug me forward.
"We got you, Nomes," my brother whispers.
Another shot. Another scream. Everything pulses, frantic and loud.
