The drops of rain hitting the floor have always found their way to stand out and catch attention. The next sound that followed was the loud, repetitive honking from cars, getting louder and more unbearable by the minute.
All you can hear is your thoughts, reminding why you are even out there—surrounded by a harsh breeze and not a single clue where my friends have gone.
In the far distance, flashes of red and blue lights pass through the neighborhood, being the only capable view of color through the blurry mist.
Never would I expect a place well-known for bringing joy to many to end up becoming a spot where so many cruel acts have taken place within our day-to-day lives.
Yells of mothers and fathers echo throughout the streets as they call out to their children. Every person nearby is now fully aware of the circumstances. News reports flood in, typically leaving out important information and covering up what's really going on at 'Drefan Mallory High School.'
The thunder above showed how unbelievably terrifying everything truly is. Within the building, students are seen frantically checking for an escape route, a nightmare they had no control over. Many teens hid inside bathroom stalls, science labs, and janitor's closets for safety. Bodies were sprawled across the hallway, lifeless, covered in multiple stab wounds, eyes and heart directly.
On the third floor, a young boy was hiding under a teacher's desk who was spamming messages to anyone he could contact. Suddenly the front door was forced open and slammed shut right after. He sat there frozen in place, hearing footsteps coming towards his direction. It was completely silent when, out of nowhere, a crumpled paper rolled towards him. The boy hesitated before picking it up, gathering all his courage and quietly unwrapping the piece of paper. He took a second to read the most haunting words ever written in his life.
*Kid, you should be more careful where you place yourself, I can see you!*
Fight-or-flight reactions kicked in as constant sounds of bone-chilling screams came through the intercom. Two girls were hidden inside a bathroom, and screams were heard coming from outside as footsteps walked in, creeping a few inches away.
Paramedics and police officers were heard exiting their vehicles; screams of innocent lives can be heard on both sides.
Outside the main staircase lay a shiny-looking necklace swinging back and forth. Due to all the hardship, raindrops are seen landing on the necklace, which gives it a glistening shine, the only sense of beauty in the middle of torment.
To be honest, I wasn't there when it all happened. But after a while I was able to piece together what had occurred, which got me to question why such a tragedy took place at a school. Ever since news spread around town, many details have become easier to discover but not to explain.
Right now, I would expect most people's opinions to be harsh. You might be the one judging me, questioning what gives me any right to speak on behalf of those who were victims of the tragedy. All I could say right now is that I have my reasons.
There was another time. One no one talks about anymore. One, I try not to, not anymore. It was a different time, different people, and different issues. But there were the same noises, the same flashes of red and blue lights that filled the streets. It left everybody spiraling under control.
And there I was, standing there. Missed the major tragedy most people would talk about. However, I witnessed something way more memorable than most people. Couldn't move. Couldn't cry. My world felt quiet; any noises were long gone, becoming nothing more than a distant memory.
I just stared at my surroundings, where it all happened, at the place they attempted to cover up. The slight drizzle turned into pouring rain, signifying a storm was coming. And even now, I still feel it.
The cold breeze and the rain are touching upon my skin. I could still hear the sudden screams. Stare at the same flashes of color and smoke. The first time changed our reality; this time, it made us realize what our reality has become.
However, at the end of the day, believe whatever you want to as long as it helps you sleep at night.
Just remember any bad or good day you have can be the opposite for someone else, and vice versa. That day was traumatic for everyone, such high ground mixed with a cold breeze, and I'd be the one left stunned to speak, almost like I'd seen a ghost.