"Attention all students. This is a lockdown."
Fifteen minutes to home bell.
Teacher is annoyed.
We can't hide anywhere.
There is nothing but windows.
Twelve students behind a bulletin board.
The alarm is loud and annoying.
Longest drill ever.
Teacher jokes about the principal.
We all laugh loudly.
We don't care.
This is just a drill.
Home bell rings. We get off the floor.
"Attention all students. Do not leave your classrooms.
We are still
Under
Lockdown..."
What?
Phones beeping
Fingers texting
Parents calling
Teacher panics
"Okay kids, everyone huddle together!
Be.
Quiet."
Sirens. Police.
This is not a drill.
They have dogs.
They have guns.
We were just kids.
Teacher looks into hallway
Policemen with shotguns are on patrol.
We didn't know.
Five minutes. Ten. Fifteen.
News crew. Ambulance.
We were just kids.
We didn't know.
We didn't know...
H