*Trigger warning: look to the description

So that popping sound had been a gunshot? Adrenaline really works wonders, I can’t feel anything at all. “Did he get anyone else?”

“No,” he shook his head with a slight smile. “You got to him before he could. I really can’t tell if you are brave or crazy.”

“Let’s go with a little bit of both,” I chuckle until I feel it ripping my stomach apart. I winced and Jared pulled me closer. “Did Karen end up getting a hold of the police?”

“Yes, they should be on their way now. But more importantly, so is an ambulance. So, just hang in there, okay?”

I nodded. I wasn’t really planning on going anywhere. “Why is everyone so calm? I would expect people to be freaking out right about now.” I looked around and everyone just seemed to be going about their business. I mean, a potential mass shooter did just get tackled right in front of them.

“Oh, Jasper is very good at calming people down, so he’s handling the situation.” Jared’s smile turned nervous as he sought to make eye contact with Jasper. I looked over to see him surrounded by people I did not recognize, as well as one kind face that I did. Dave saw me looking over and gave a small wave. Jasper looked like he was concentrating on something very deeply, barely making eye contact with Jared and not even looking when I tried to make contact with him. Whatever it was he was focusing so intently on must be important. I was glad to see Dave protecting Jasper. I just don’t quite understand why Jasper needs protecting; all I know is that he does and I am glad that Dave is part of it. Looking back at Jared, I got the feeling that he should be over there too.

“Jared, do you need to go be with Jasper?” My question startled him, causing him to whip his head back in my direction.

“What? No! This is exactly where I need to be.” He was stubborn in his response, so I gave in and let him hold me. His warmth distracted me for a moment.

Soon I noticed that Karen took my place and was signing students in. I couldn't help but feel like the whole situation was odd. “Do you think that we should evacuate everyone?”

Jared chuckled nervously, “No, I think that we’ve got it handled, plus, they will need to be questioned by the police once they arrive.”

“Would you just shut up and let us handle it. We know what we’re doing.” Both Jared and I jumped hearing the roughness of Jace’s voice.

“Now, now, Jace, no need to be rude,” Rex smiled. “Vi is right, it does seem strange that we are going about as if nothing happened.” He gave Jace a weird look that seemed to say shut the hell up.

“Listen,” I was trying to sit up in Jared’s arms so I could seem bigger than I was feeling, “I just want what’s best for my students, okay? They come in here to get help, they should not have to worry about their safety. Jace scoffed but seemed to drop it. Jared smiled down at me with the softest smile I had ever seen. He took the hand that wasn’t compressing my stomach and rubbed my check.

“You are the most compassionate person I have ever met Violet-Rose,” Jared was so tender in his touch and words. “Please don’t let anyone take advantage of your compassion.” I smiled back at him, mimicking his movements by placing my hand on his cheek. I was speechless: no one had ever said such kind words to me while looking so loving before. It made my heart melt.

Our tender moment was broken by movement catching my eye. Someone was speed walking past where we were sitting, heading straight towards where Jasper was standing. They had a backpack that they had moved to the front of their body and were walking with a familiar determination. Without thinking, I bolted from Jared’s lap and ran towards the boy.

“HEY! STOP!” I yelled as I ran. The boy turned and all I could see was the barrel of the gun. I forced myself to look into his eyes. They were wild, like a ravenous animal about to pounce on its prey. The look in his eye was terrifying, but something in me screamed that I needed to stop him before he made it to Jasper. So, I lunged for his gun, right as it went off.

The pop of the gun seemed to wake everyone from their trance. Everyone began running for the exit. Screams could be heard all around me as people filed past to get out. Where were the police? Shouldn’t they be here by now? Jared said that Karen had made the call, so where were they? I didn’t have much time to think, as the boy started to turn back towards Jasper.

“Oh, no you don’t,” I leapt onto the assailant’s back, bringing him down momentarily. He managed to turn to face me, the wild look still in his eye, and his nose bloodied from where it hit the ground when I brought him down. I thought for sure I was going to be a goner, but instead of shooting me again, he flipped us around so I was underneath him. He kneed me in the gut as he got up to keep going towards his apparent target. He didn’t make it far before Dave tackled him to the ground, landing beside me. I slowly sat up and looked towards Jasper. He was on the floor, pale and sweaty. Jared was standing over him, looking protective more than concerned. He said something and two of the people who were also standing around Jasper left, coming towards me. One went to help Dave contain the now unconscious gunman and the other continued past to where Jace and Rex held the other. They took over for Jace, who was now making his way towards me, removing his jacket as he walked.

“Why couldn’t you just leave this to us?” He asked with a scowl as he approached me.

“Oh, and let the crazy bastard shoot up the school?” He knelt beside me and pressed his jacket to my stomach. There was no warmth and care in his actions like Jared had had. And the adrenaline that had kept the first shot from hurting was quickly wearing away. “Dude, that hurts.”

“You know what hurts worse? Bleeding out.” I am learning very quickly that Jace is the sassy twin. I stayed quiet, too tired to fight back. All I wanted to do was go home, eat a pound of cookie dough, pet my dog, and sit in a nice warm bath.

As I pictured bubbles and warm water lapping at my skin, the police finally arrived. They made their way to the first shooter, flipping him over and cuffing him. As more officers arrived, they went to relieve Dave and the other person of the shooter they were holding. But before they could cuff him, he regained consciousness. He turned towards us and when he saw Jace leaning over me, he made as if he was coming at us. The motion was quick, but he did something with his hands; a flick of the wrist that I couldn’t interpret with the fog invading my brain. He didn’t get far before the police grabbed him and cuffed him. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening any more. My head was spinning and it was getting hard to see straight. I looked up to see Jace’s face full of hate and I just couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore.

I guess I jinxed myself, things got way worse.