Chapter 9: Initiating Lockdown

Leila's POV

"Okay class, today I will be handing back your unit one tests and to spice things up because frankly this is the easiest test I have ever created and most of you failed! I am disappointed."

The class erupted in groans and Blake's lips slid into a sinister smirk as he began calling out the names and grades of fellow students. I flickered my eyes towards Sam who was concentrated on her phone typing away furiously.

"Don't mind her, she's just sexting Drake." Midge whispered and laughter bubbled in my throat but I hadn't realized how loud I did until Blake snapped his head towards me, a scowl stretched across his lips.

"Care to share what's so funny, miss Hart? Should I stop my class to listen to this amusing joke?" Blake inquired, his eyes narrowed to slits as he gazed at me intently. God, I hate it when he's in professor mode.

"No, thank you, professor Kingston."

He grumbled something under his breath before his eyes flickered down to the booklet in his hands, "miss Hart your mark is–"

"May I have your attention, please? We are currently moving into a Lock-Down situation. Please do not panic and listen closely to this announcement and your teacher. If you are currently outside, please move to your classroom at this time. This is not a drill, I repeat, this is a lock down—" I frowned deeply at the sound of the Dean on the intercom and snapped my head towards Sam and Midge frantically.

The class suddenly erupted in screams and Blake motioned for us all to get up as he ushered us down from our seats and towards the wall. "Everyone be quiet and stop panicking, sit against the wall, turn off your cell phones off and be quiet, everything will be fine."

Midge and Sam clutched onto my hand tightly as we stumbled down the stairs and towards the wall. Blake flickered the lights off and grabbed sheets of paper, "someone help." He whispered as he motioned towards the door.

With the help of a student, they placed the sheets of the glass on the door. Before any of them could get back, there was suddenly a ringing of bullets outside the door and the class went rampant with panic.

Blake grabbed the student by his hand and rushed him back towards the wall before they both cowered lowly. "Guys, I need you to stay calm, you'll attract the shooter if you keep making noise, I know you're scared but we're gonna be fine."

Just as the words escaped his lips there was another round of bullets outside and I flinched, my grip tightening on Sam's hand.

My vision suddenly blurred and beads of sweat trickled down my cheek as I tried my hardest, drowning out the cries from the surrounding students.

There was another round of bullets and suddenly it flashed through my mind; the memories, that night, him. . .her. Tears pricked my eyes as my head grew lighter. His face flashed across my eyes and I gasped, my eyes focused on the gaping hole in his skull.

My hand shook beside me uncontrollably, and I fetched for air, yet none seemed to occupy my lungs as I lurched forward, gasping for any air in the room as my throat contracted .

I heard another gunshot, but this one was a distance away. It faded at the back of my mind, then grew louder and faded once again. There was a sudden sting in my chest and I felt it, almost like a hand wrapped around my heart, squeezing it until it threatened to burst and I cried out in pain.

"Oh, my god, Leila!" Sam's voice echoed in my ears but I barely heard it, all I could feel is the pressure on my chest.

"Professor Kingston!" Midge whisper yelled frantically.

"Be quiet and calm down." I heard his voice say, and I clutched the rug beneath me, clawing at it as if I would find the cause of my pain there.

"What's wrong with her?" He suddenly asked, and I flickered my eyes shut.

"I think she's having a panic attack!" Midge cried out. There was a shuffling beside me until I felt this sudden heat on my body and the smell of his cologne. "Leila, Leila, look at me."

Although I knew it was Blake calling out to me, I could only hear his voice distorted into his; my brother. I shook my head vigorously, a sob cracking through my lips as I nudged his hands away.

He suddenly captured my cheeks in his palms and tilted my head towards his face. His eyes penetrated through mine, pleading for me to listen to him, I could barely see his face. . .only tears, only my brothers. . .only hers.

"Listen to me, please Leila. Calm Down and listen to my voice."

"B-Bla—I can't-b-breathe."

"Please, Leila. I need you to count to ten. I need you to concentrate on your breathing for me. Okay, let the air in and repeat after me. . .one, two, three—"

I sucked in a harsh breath, then exhaled. A sob escaped my lips as I did so, but he coaxed me to repeat it over and over again until I could feel the walls in my throat loosen.

"Now count to ten."

"Blake, p-please— I can't." I cried. Just as the words escaped my lips there was a loud bang on the door and I flinched, my fingers digging into Blake's skin. "Please! OPEN THE DOOR!"

The door knob jiggled, and I slapped my hands over my ears, trying to drown out the noise.

"Please open up!"

"Leila, listen to my voice." Blake exclaimed as he pulled my hands from my ears, ignoring the sounds of the door banging as it grew louder.

The door stopped banging and Blake sighed before a loud bang erupted outside, "Open the fucking door!" I froze, flickering my eyes towards Blake who was staring at me calmly, his head shaking slightly as my lips quivered.

The class fell into an eerie silence before the glass to the door suddenly shattered, followed by more rounds of bullets. Blake's eyes widened, and he ripped his hands from mine and shot up from the floor.

He turned towards the door, his eyes zoning in on the hand poking through the broken glass.

He turned towards the door, his eyes zoning in on the hand poking through the broken glass