Page 90 of Because of Logan

We finally makeit outside after Logan tells me not to look at whatever they’re doing in the hallway. No worries there. I have no intention of seeing anything. I’ve heard enough, and my imagination is filling in whatever I didn’t see. Logan doesn’t say, but I know the guy is dead.

There’s some kind of tent blocking part of the hall, and someone made a pathway with a long tarp along the wall. Logan said it was to evacuate the students and staff as fast as possible and not contaminate the crime scene. The little I saw reminded me of a movie. Lots of people wearing gloves, taking pictures, the little yellow number thingies—whatever they call them—all over the floor.

We walk quickly, and now that I’m free of the building, I want to find River. I dig through my bag to find my cell phone when I hear my name. The whole area around the building is closed off. Metal barriers and yellow tape. Cops everywhere. It takes me a few seconds to locate River. She ducks under a stretch of tape and runs across the street. A cop tries to stop her, but Logan waves him off and I’m already on my feet, running to my sister. We collide in a hug and tears.

We don’t say anything for long minutes, just hold each other and sob. The other cop is saying we have to move. I can feel Logan nearby. His arms come around me and River, and he hugs both of us for a few seconds before gently guiding us to the side.

“Are you okay?”

River’s words are filled with worry and love.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tired, so tired.”

“I was so worried. I must have sent you a dozen texts. You didn’t answer me.”

“I didn’t have my phone with me, and I was afraid to let you know what was happening.”

“Word got out fast. The whole campus went on lockdown, and when we heard it was the Jane Austen building... gosh, Skye. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. You should have texted me.”

“I almost did, but then I pictured you running into the building and trying to take the guy down with your bare hands and I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t risk it.”

“I’d probably try to do it, too.”

Logan’s hand goes around my waist.

“I hate to do this, but I have to get back in there. And it will probably be hours before I can leave.”

I disengage from River and throw myself at Logan. His arms hold me tight.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving me.”

He kisses the top of my head.

“I’m just glad it’s over.”

Logan looks at River.

“Can you take her home? Make sure she rests? Stay with her?”

“Yes, of course. All classes have been canceled today and tomorrow.”

His hands cup my face.

“I’ll come to you as soon as I can. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He kisses me then, restrained but full of promise. Then he turns away and walks back into the building.

River is looking from me to him, pointing back and forth between me and the building Logan just walked into.

“When did this happen?”

“Come on, let’s go home. I’ll tell you everything. And I have to call Mom and Dad too.”

“I called them already. Bruno texted me and said you were okay and Logan was with you. I told Mom you’d call as soon as we get back home.”

A pang of guilt hits me. I forgot all about Bruno. My best friend. The guy who tried to comfort me when we were trapped in that classroom. As soon as I saw Logan, everything else fell away. I have to talk to him too. But first, I need to go home. I desperately want to take a hot shower. My skin feels grimy, as if what happened today made me dirty somehow. I just want it off me.

---