We've been hiding for a while. The search hasn't come up the stairs yet but the officers will be finished down there soon.
Mr Tiz is brooding in the doorway of the gym. There's no way we're getting out of here, why the hell did I allow Max to take me!
Max nudges me, his got a ball in his hand, god knows where he got it from, he rolls it across the landing.
I watch as it rolls to the end and falls into the hall. There's a loud bang, it echoes loudly, I'm nudged in the side so I look at Max, then he points at the door, Mr Tiz and the officer have moved.
'Go' max tells me quietly, I scamper to my feet and rush down the stairs not particularly caring about the noise, max is not far behind me, bounding down, making a complete racket on these metal stairs. We have probably gained everyone's attention by the time we get to the bottom.
Max grabs my hand when we're at the bottom and drags me through the gym door, We end up in a corridor. Where the fuck does this lead us?
My answer is given to me when we reach the next set of doors. We both stumble through into the hallway of the school. There's security officers stationed by the door we've just stumbled through. Max pulls me along straight past them.
'Oi stop where you are' they both shout.
Max is dragging me along, I don't get the luxury of choosing to stop. I wouldn't really stop now anyway because now they're giving us chase. One is radioing through to let everyone know they're in pursuit with us. I can't believe Max has gotten me into this shit!
A blaring siren resounds through the school, then the tannoy system goes off - warning this is not a drill lockdown is initiated
I look at max in absolute horror then shout
'What does that mean?' He shoots a smile at me.
'Our fun's over princess' he says dejectedly. He slows down to a stop right in front of me, I can't stop myself before I crash into him and we topple over each other landing in a heap on the floor.
The officers that were chasing us come barrelling round the corner then jump on us.
Max rolls and takes the brunt of the bodies while I slide out from underneath, just in time to not get squished.
I go to get up when Mr Tiz grabs me and shouts 'get on the ground'. The officers with him come and help to pin me to the floor. I feel suffocated. I'm thrashing my body against them. I need them off. I'm losing my shit!
'Where the hell is John? We need him now!' Mr Tiz shouts.
An officer goes running towards the door when John steps into the hallway. He assesses the situation then orders everyone
'Get off her'. Mr Tiz clearly is shocked 'what?' He bellows back, John chuckles then repeats sternly 'like I said, let her go'.
Everyone releases me and I crawl over to the wall and curl up in a ball. My hands cover my ears and I shake like a leaf. My heads a wreck! This is too much!
'Take him to secure' Mr Tiz orders while watching my movements closely.
Once max is gone John requests for the lockdown to be lifted so Mr Tiz uses his walkie talkie and the siren turns off.
I hear footsteps, my body goes hyper focused. My thoughts are going a mile a minute. I can't get them too slow!
John takes another step forward. Hands raised.
'Stay back' I scream. He stops immediately. He watches me closely, assessing.
'Hope listen to me' I grab my head and scream
'I can't! They won't stop' John looks at me completely confused, his brows scrunching
'What won't stop? Let me help you hope' he coaxes. My breathing is heavy. I'm shaking.
'The thoughts John! Make them stop' I scream punching at my head. I'm angry they won't stop! Why won't they stop?!
John walks backwards slowly then he goes over to
Mr Tiz. They start talking quietly while the others watch me like I'm some kind of freak show. I'm crying. This is all too much.
I watch as John radios through to someone, a few minutes later the nurse comes rushing in. All three have a quiet conversation then the nurse runs off again. She's back within a few minutes then she hands something to John.
My bleary attention is on John as soon as he takes a step forward. I wipe furiously at my eyes so I can see properly.
John takes another step forward
'Hope listen to me I'm going to take steps to you, take deep breaths for me' I follow his instructions and take deep breaths to calm my nerves. 'That's it, keep going, deep breaths' John says making his way closer.
When he gets to me crouches down
'Take your meds' he holds his hand out and I take them. He opens a bottle of water and passes it to me, I then take a sip and swallow my meds.
'The thoughts will stop soon, I promise, you've done so well hope' he coaxes, he stands back up then holds his hand out for me. I reach out and grab his hand then he pulls me up, I can't help myself as I launch myself at John.
He chuckles and wraps his arms around me
'I'm going to take you out of here, is that okay' i nod my head as he carries me.