Lockdown
By: Whitley Yntema
Chapter 1
It was a crisp Monday morning in early fall. I was wearing and dark blue sweater and black leggings with a pair of new Uggs. Gaten and I walked to school laughing about our science teacher. He seemed so happy and I did too. Golden, chestnut, burgundy and auburn leaves fell around us, giving off a joyous feel. The cold wind whipped around my long blond hair, and ruffled Gatens fluffy black curls. Sweet smells of fresh fallen leaves and pumpkin pies airing out on window sills wafted around us. Soon enough we had made it to school.
I walked down the beige and gray halls counting each step as I went. I counted to thirty-two by the time I had made it to math class. Mr. Werner, droned on and on about algebra, and other things I needed to know for the upcoming test. But I didn't listen I was too focused on the window outside. Nature's fireworks were neatly displayed by every gold leaf and little puddle on the sidewalk.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class and everyone grabbed their things and headed for the door, and slowly made their way into the hallways. I was on my way to leave when Mr. Werener asked to speak with me. “Yes?” I said back to him.
“Amara, is everything alright? It looked as if you weren’t paying attention in class today. You have an upcoming test and, based on your homework, I’m concerned.”
“Sorry sir,” I replied, “I'll pay attention next class. I promise!” The warning bell rang and I raced the clock to my next class. I made it just in time to language arts. I sat down and Mrs. Carol started to pass out our vocabulary quizzes. I took a deep breath. I hadn’t studied for that quiz, but I knew the vocabulary decently well. The twenty minutes passed and the class handed in their quizzes. I slunked back down into my seat and wished I could go home,I hated school.
What felt like five days passed and I met Gaten in the hall for lunch. His goofy smile was plastered on his face as usual. “Hey, how was math?” He knew I hated math and my blood blood boiled every time I even thought of it.
“The usual,” I replied giving him a forced smile, feeling my face flush.
“Let’s get lunch,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I heard they put the pudding back on the menu.” I laughed and we walked into the cafeteria. The line for food was long but worth it. As Gaten guessed, I got pudding, a slice of pizza and a caesar salad.
“That felt like the longest cafeteria of the line all year.”
“Probably because you skipped breakfast again and you’re so hungry you’re delusional,” he snickered.
“Are you spying on me?”
“No, I just know you usually come to my house late when you eat breakfast.” Gaten ran his hand through his delicate black curls, then took a bite out of his chicken sandwich. I opened my pudding and took a spoonful. As I swallowed, a scream rang out from the doorway.
Chapter 2
“Everybody get under the tables” one of our lunch monitors shouted. I heard loud banging noises coming from the other room.
“What’s going on?” I whispered to Gaten my voice was shaky and I knew Gaten was just as scared as I was. His eyes darted back and forth through the room,seeming to be ready to detect whatever comes next.
“Lockdown drills never happen at lunch,” he paused to look at the double doors “this must be real one” my heart stopped even though I knew that was the truth I didn't want to accept it. I knew school shootings happened a lot but I never thought I could be a victim.
Gaten and I clung to each other anticipating the worst to come at any second and it did. The hall monitor burst the oak double doors screaming for all of us to stay under the tables. I looked at Gaten, his face was pale with horror.
I heard short quick steps coming from down the hall. I quivered in fear. Our lunch monitor barricaded the entrance with tables and chairs as best he could. The foot steps had made it to the doors. Time stood still. I wanted to cry, but I was too scared my short breaths couldn't muster.
The double doors were being violently swung back and forth with no success of getting in. it was not long before my eyes widened when I saw the doors slam wide open. A tall man stood there with strawberry blond hair and beard. He was dressed in an unbuttoned blue and green flannel, with a white shirt underneath and old worn out jeans. He had a long rusted gun in his hands.
Gaten got in front of me. I tried my best to shove him out of the way but he wouldn't budge.I whispered to him “Move” but all he did was put a hand over my mouth. The shooter pulled his gun and aimed it at a table right across the room from me. He shot the sound made my ears ring I heard screams and cries but the shooter didn’t care he move to the next table. But then our lunch monitor tackled the man but as he was going down he shot at Gaten. Right in his left leg. I screamed as blood oozed out of his leg at an unforgiving pace.
The sound of cops cars flooded the room, but I didn't care. Gaten’s shorts were stained with red. Screams and cries filled my ears. I couldn’t focus on anything. I quickly took off my jacket and tightly held it to Gaten’s left leg. The pinks and whites on my jacket turned to reds and browns. I held his head up, and spoke to him “Gaten, you’ll be okay.” I knew he wouldn’t answer.
He was shaking. He was losing so much blood he was freezing. I kept holding my jacket to his leg hoping it would do something. Gaten’s eyes started to close shut. I shook him until my arms were numb but his eyes wouldn’t open.
The police burst into the room and handcuffed the shooter then looked through the room. Then the EMS rushed in to Gaten’s aid. They filed many kids and teachers into EMS trucks then turned on the sirens. I listened to them drone away into the distance as they filed us outside the school.
Chapter 3
I sat on the curb while tears quickly ran down my face. My mom had told me she would pick me up in two minutes. The wind blew in my face making my nose run and my cheeks sting. Cars flew by picking up kids and soon enough my mom pulled up to the curb
I hugged her so tight my arms began to feel numb. She held me close and told me she loved me. On the way home I cried and told my mom everything. She had promised me that we would visit Gaten tomorrow.
Once we were home, I went to my bedroom and lay there until I fell into a deep slumber. I swam through different dreams about Gaten and my school. I had woken up in a cold sweat several times through the night but when it was morning I was ready to see Gaten.
…
The white tiles reflected the bright white lights from the cieling. The blue and green chair was a place for me to dwell in my anxiety at that moment. A nurse called us up and said “Gaten Webb is ready for you.” the long wooden door divided me and my best friend. The door creaked open and there I saw Gaten laying the peacefully sleeping. I sat down by his bed on a red and brown plad chair.
Gaten’s chest swiftly moved up and down. The beeping sound of the heart monitor rang in my ears as Gaten’s mom talked to us. “He lost lot’s of blood that they almost amputated his leg.” I gasped. “But they didn’t, we don't know for sure but,” she paused to look at the ground, “he might have lost his memory.” I choked on my breath.
By: Whitley Yntema
Chapter 1
It was a crisp Monday morning in early fall. I was wearing and dark blue sweater and black leggings with a pair of new Uggs. Gaten and I walked to school laughing about our science teacher. He seemed so happy and I did too. Golden, chestnut, burgundy and auburn leaves fell around us, giving off a joyous feel. The cold wind whipped around my long blond hair, and ruffled Gatens fluffy black curls. Sweet smells of fresh fallen leaves and pumpkin pies airing out on window sills wafted around us. Soon enough we had made it to school.
I walked down the beige and gray halls counting each step as I went. I counted to thirty-two by the time I had made it to math class. Mr. Werner, droned on and on about algebra, and other things I needed to know for the upcoming test. But I didn't listen I was too focused on the window outside. Nature's fireworks were neatly displayed by every gold leaf and little puddle on the sidewalk.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class and everyone grabbed their things and headed for the door, and slowly made their way into the hallways. I was on my way to leave when Mr. Werener asked to speak with me. “Yes?” I said back to him.
“Amara, is everything alright? It looked as if you weren’t paying attention in class today. You have an upcoming test and, based on your homework, I’m concerned.”
“Sorry sir,” I replied, “I'll pay attention next class. I promise!” The warning bell rang and I raced the clock to my next class. I made it just in time to language arts. I sat down and Mrs. Carol started to pass out our vocabulary quizzes. I took a deep breath. I hadn’t studied for that quiz, but I knew the vocabulary decently well. The twenty minutes passed and the class handed in their quizzes. I slunked back down into my seat and wished I could go home,I hated school.
What felt like five days passed and I met Gaten in the hall for lunch. His goofy smile was plastered on his face as usual. “Hey, how was math?” He knew I hated math and my blood blood boiled every time I even thought of it.
“The usual,” I replied giving him a forced smile, feeling my face flush.
“Let’s get lunch,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I heard they put the pudding back on the menu.” I laughed and we walked into the cafeteria. The line for food was long but worth it. As Gaten guessed, I got pudding, a slice of pizza and a caesar salad.
“That felt like the longest cafeteria of the line all year.”
“Probably because you skipped breakfast again and you’re so hungry you’re delusional,” he snickered.
“Are you spying on me?”
“No, I just know you usually come to my house late when you eat breakfast.” Gaten ran his hand through his delicate black curls, then took a bite out of his chicken sandwich. I opened my pudding and took a spoonful. As I swallowed, a scream rang out from the doorway.
Chapter 2
“Everybody get under the tables” one of our lunch monitors shouted. I heard loud banging noises coming from the other room.
“What’s going on?” I whispered to Gaten my voice was shaky and I knew Gaten was just as scared as I was. His eyes darted back and forth through the room,seeming to be ready to detect whatever comes next.
“Lockdown drills never happen at lunch,” he paused to look at the double doors “this must be real one” my heart stopped even though I knew that was the truth I didn't want to accept it. I knew school shootings happened a lot but I never thought I could be a victim.
Gaten and I clung to each other anticipating the worst to come at any second and it did. The hall monitor burst the oak double doors screaming for all of us to stay under the tables. I looked at Gaten, his face was pale with horror.
I heard short quick steps coming from down the hall. I quivered in fear. Our lunch monitor barricaded the entrance with tables and chairs as best he could. The foot steps had made it to the doors. Time stood still. I wanted to cry, but I was too scared my short breaths couldn't muster.
The double doors were being violently swung back and forth with no success of getting in. it was not long before my eyes widened when I saw the doors slam wide open. A tall man stood there with strawberry blond hair and beard. He was dressed in an unbuttoned blue and green flannel, with a white shirt underneath and old worn out jeans. He had a long rusted gun in his hands.
Gaten got in front of me. I tried my best to shove him out of the way but he wouldn't budge.I whispered to him “Move” but all he did was put a hand over my mouth. The shooter pulled his gun and aimed it at a table right across the room from me. He shot the sound made my ears ring I heard screams and cries but the shooter didn’t care he move to the next table. But then our lunch monitor tackled the man but as he was going down he shot at Gaten. Right in his left leg. I screamed as blood oozed out of his leg at an unforgiving pace.
The sound of cops cars flooded the room, but I didn't care. Gaten’s shorts were stained with red. Screams and cries filled my ears. I couldn’t focus on anything. I quickly took off my jacket and tightly held it to Gaten’s left leg. The pinks and whites on my jacket turned to reds and browns. I held his head up, and spoke to him “Gaten, you’ll be okay.” I knew he wouldn’t answer.
He was shaking. He was losing so much blood he was freezing. I kept holding my jacket to his leg hoping it would do something. Gaten’s eyes started to close shut. I shook him until my arms were numb but his eyes wouldn’t open.
The police burst into the room and handcuffed the shooter then looked through the room. Then the EMS rushed in to Gaten’s aid. They filed many kids and teachers into EMS trucks then turned on the sirens. I listened to them drone away into the distance as they filed us outside the school.
Chapter 3
I sat on the curb while tears quickly ran down my face. My mom had told me she would pick me up in two minutes. The wind blew in my face making my nose run and my cheeks sting. Cars flew by picking up kids and soon enough my mom pulled up to the curb
I hugged her so tight my arms began to feel numb. She held me close and told me she loved me. On the way home I cried and told my mom everything. She had promised me that we would visit Gaten tomorrow.
Once we were home, I went to my bedroom and lay there until I fell into a deep slumber. I swam through different dreams about Gaten and my school. I had woken up in a cold sweat several times through the night but when it was morning I was ready to see Gaten.
…
The white tiles reflected the bright white lights from the cieling. The blue and green chair was a place for me to dwell in my anxiety at that moment. A nurse called us up and said “Gaten Webb is ready for you.” the long wooden door divided me and my best friend. The door creaked open and there I saw Gaten laying the peacefully sleeping. I sat down by his bed on a red and brown plad chair.
Gaten’s chest swiftly moved up and down. The beeping sound of the heart monitor rang in my ears as Gaten’s mom talked to us. “He lost lot’s of blood that they almost amputated his leg.” I gasped. “But they didn’t, we don't know for sure but,” she paused to look at the ground, “he might have lost his memory.” I choked on my breath.