A few minutes later, the police arrive. The first thing they do when they walk in is confiscate all the phones. As they approach me, I hear students complaining, asking why on earth our phones have to be confiscated. The police respond curtly, "So no information can leak out, you're currently in lockdown." I'm still wondering what's actually going on, but I calmly put my phone in the bin the police hold out to me.
Out of nowhere, the loud voice of one of the police officers echoes through the auditorium: "Listen carefully, you're under lockdown. This means no one enters or leaves this building without the police's knowledge. We'll begin with a brief interrogation of the students, after which they may leave the building. Staff members will be next."
I've been slumped against the wall for a while now. After the short speech, the police have started to divide into the school offices. I think there are two officers per interrogation, and there are also two officers in the auditorium, so I think there must be three interrogations going on simultaneously. Every few minutes, a new student is called. If I'm not mistaken, they're working in alphabetical order, which means it'll be my turn soon. I'm still slumped, everyone's phone has been confiscated, and no one knows what to do. We've been here for over two hours now, if the clock is to be believed. Two hours ago, I should have just walked to the exit faster.
"Justin Clark." I snap out of my thoughts and walk toward the officer who called my name. He leads me to our administrative assistant's office without much discussion. Inside, another officer is waiting. I sit down, just like the first officer who escorted me here.
Less than five minutes later, I'm outside. They only asked the standard questions: where were you, what were you doing, did you see anything? They seemed incredibly bored by these questions themselves; I assume all the other students they spoke to were in class. When I told them I was going to my locker, they suddenly looked up. They asked if I noticed anything, and I told them there was hardly anyone in the hallway, until I suddenly heard a door slam. They asked for further details, but all I can say is that I saw a figure walk past the administration office; I don't know who or what. After they contacted me and I got my phone back, I was allowed to leave.
It's already half past five and I'm walking straight home; work will surely understand that I'm not coming home.