"Call nine-one-one. Code Red, Code Red- this is not a drill!" Principle Turner urgently shouted as he ran into the school office. "Go to a designated lock-down area or exit the school-" Principle Turner said into the tannoy. "-immediately." He stated sternly. 

Claudia was stuck in the tutor centre alongside Haley, Skills, Mouth, Marcus, Rachel, Abby and Jimmy. Claudia turned the lights off and sunk to the floor along with the students. Claudia looked sideways and held onto Haley's hand. They were scared.

___

Whitey stepped off the bus and looked around him at the madness. Students were running around wild, screaming.

"What the hell?!" Whitey shouted in his usual grouchy voice. Lucas got off the bus and Nathan followed closely behind. Lucas spotted Brooke and ran to her. Brooke was panicking but she tried to conceal it.

"Somebody has a gun inside and they're shooting." Brooke exclaimed as she pointed back to the school. Nathan heard her and panicked. 

"Claudia!" Nathan shouted as he ran closer to the school and looked around. 

"My god! Everybody back on the bus!" Whitey exclaimed so everyone could hear and students ran towards the bus.

"Claudia's in the tutor center!" Nathan exclaimed shocked.

"ALL STUDENTS ON THE BUS! CODE RED, NOW!" Whitey shouted sternly. Nathan shook his head discretely and Lucas noticed. "LET'S MOVE! Come on." Whitey shouted and Nathan turned away. "Nathan, get your ass on that bus!" Whitey stated sternly and Nathan did not reply. He turned and ran back towards the school. Lucas did not think twice before letting go of Brooke and he chased his brother. 

"I got him, Coach!" Lucas shouted as he began to run towards Nathan.

"Luke!" Brooke cried at her boyfriend.

"Look, I'll be right back." Lucas exclaimed running backwards before he turned to face Nathan again. "NATHAN!" Lucas called, Whitey stood with Brooke as he watched Nathan and Lucas ran back. He was lost as to what to do.  

"Boys! Boys!" Whitey called as Lucas caught up with Nathan on the grassy bit and tackled him to the floor. They rolled over due to the force, Lucas tackled him hard.  

"Got off me, man!" Nathan groaned as he stood up quickly. "Claudia's inside!" Nathan stated before he ran into the school without another word and Lucas was left to stand up slowly and watched his younger half-brother run in. 

"Nathan!" Lucas shouted before he looked back briefly. Lucas then continued to follow Nathan into the school. 

"LUCAS!" Brooke cried as she tired to run after him but Whitey grabbed hold of her and stopped her from following. She struggled and continued to shout. 

___

Claudia took a deep breath and she looked at everyone.

"OK, everybody ju-just stay down and stay calm. We're safe here." Haley whispered as she looked down the line of the six other students. Jimmy Edwards expression was none too kind, Jimmy eyed the other students up and down.

"We need to stay put. That's procedure; lockdown. We have to wait until it's safe." Claudia stated laughing nervously.  

"And I'm saying lockdown is crap." Marcus nodded. "If whoever's out there is a student; they know where we're at." Marcus exclaimed and Claudia began to hate him as well.

"What about the windows? I mean, we could break the windows and get out." Rachel offered and Claudia shook her head.

"No, that's-it's-it just goes to the courtyard – it's enclosed." Claudia explained as she shook her head. "It's for light." Claudia stated.

"Yeah, besides, we need to break in all the windows; all we do is draw attention to ourselves." Skills replied. 

"You don't think a locked door is gonna tell whatever psycho is out there that we're in here?" Marcus asked self-righteously. 

"Why would you call him psycho?" Jimmy asked and everyone looked over at Jimmy. The fear he felt returned. 

"Something to do with them trying to kill us all, fat ass." Marcus replied rudely and Jimmy swallowed at the comment and didn't say anything. 

___

Everyone was still sat on the floor and Skills was on his phone alongside Claudia but neither of them were getting signal.

"No signal. All circuits busy." Skills groaned as he shut his flip phone. Marcus scoffed and looked at his own phone. There was a sound on the other end of the door. Marcus stood up, alarmed. They all looked at the door handle. Claudia looked at the door apprehensively. A driver's licence was shoved under the door. Claudia frowned and leaned over and looked at the picture. Her eyes widened and she smiled.  

"It's Nathan!" Claudia stood up and approached the door. Marcus walked up to her quickly and grabbed her by the arms. 

"No way!" Marcus stated and Skills stood up too. 

"Get off me Marcus." Claudia shouted as she got out of his grasp. Haley stood up.

"We don't know it's him." Marcus stated and Claudia showed him the card. 

"No, it's his driver's licence!" Claudia justified and Marcus shook his head.

"So how do you know that somebody didn't kill him and take his ID?" Marcus asked and Claudia exhales and looked at him panicked. 

"That's my husband, don't you dare say that to me jackass." Claudia shouted at him angrily.

"OK, you're the one that said this was a lock-down. Every man for himself." Marcus exclaimed and Claudia looked away, torn.  

"She can't leave him out there!" Rachel shouted and Claudia looked at her smiling a little. Abby Brown stood up. 

"Don't open it." Abby stated and everyone spared her a brief glance. 

"Claude, open the door." Haley said to her best friend calmingly.

"You're not opening that door." Marcus stated and Claudia glared at him.

"Shut up, shut up!" Claudia shouted distracted. "Just..." She sighed as she leaned down closed to the door. "Always." She whispered as she pressed the side of her head on the door.

"And forever." Nathan stated as he stood on the other end. Claudia sighed in relief as she stood back. 

"It's him." Claudia smiled as she turned the lock and Marcus lunged to the door. 

"No way. Get away from th-" Marcus shouted but he stopped as Skills grabbed hold of him and shoved him against the wall. 

"If she says it's him, it's him." Skills stated sternly to Marcus before he turned to Claudia. "Open the door." Skills stated as he let go of Marcus. Claudia opened the door and Nathan stood there with mouth. He saw her and walked in. 

"On my god. Come here." Nathan sighed as he hugged her. Claudia looked up at him. "You OK?" Nathan asked concerned and Mouth closed the door behind him then locked it. 

"Yeah, what's going on out there?" Claudia asked as she held onto his arms.

"I don't know. We're getting outta here, OK? All of us. Let's go." Nathan stated looking at everyone before he turned to the door.

"Don't!" Jimmy shouted. Everyone stopped and looked at him slowly. He stood there with a gun held out at all off them. The fear was back in Jimmy's face. Claudia reached back to Nathan. Mouth gaped and backed away. "Nobody's going anywhere." Jimmy stated sternly and Abby moved closer to the wall, her eyes to the gun with dread. Each of the students faces were filled with fear and panic. "Get away from the door!" Jimmy hissed with gritted teeth. Mouth could not believe it. 

"Jimmy?" Mouth replied confused.

"Do it, Mouth!" Jimmy spat and everyone moved away from the door. Nathan held a hand out. 

"Alright, alright. Just chill out, man." Nathan said trying to calm him down.

"Everyone get away from the door!" Jimmy shouted and Claudia looked back and Mouth shook his head in pity.

"Oh, Jimmy, what'd you do?" Mouth asked concerned. Claudia hugged onto Nathan and then she also held onto Haley's hand.

"Move back, Skills." Jimmy stated ignoring Mouth.

"Or what, you gonna shoot me? We used to be friends, dawg." Skills replied back.

"Yeah, used to be." Jimmy muttered and Claudia looked at him scared and frightened.

"So, it's like that? Aight." Skills stated upset.

"Jim, ya can't do this." Mouth said sadly.

"It's a little late for that, Mouth." Jimmy replied regretful.

"I can't be here." Abby cried and Claudia looked at her upset. 

"Look, man, just let us go. I'm sorry I called you 'fat-ass'." Marcus admitted but no one believed him.

"It's a little late for that, too!" Jimmy shouted angrily. His eyes are red and he took a moment before addressing Nathan who was trying to shield Claudia.

"How bout you, hero?" Jimmy asked and Claudia swallowed. "Are you scared?!" Jimmy asked tauntingly.

"Yeah. I'm scared." Nathan nodded and Claudia rolled her eyes.

"Of course he is scared Jim you are pointing a gun at him." Claudia shouted but Haley squeezed her hand to calm her down.

"Good! Welcome to my world." Jimmy shouted before he panicked and turned around. He didn't know what to do. "Alright." Jimmy whispered as he walked around the teacher's desk, still pointing the gun. He opened on of the drawers and grabbed some tape before he walked back. "Alright, this is what we're gonna do." Jimmy stated as he threw the tape at Nathan. "You're gonna tape a line down the center of the room." Jimmy shouted as Nathan caught the tape and slowly looked up at Jimmy. "GO ON!" Jimmy screamed and Claudia grabbed a hold of Nathan more tighter. She was not letting him go.

"Why're you doing this?" Abby asked sobbing and Jimmy turned to her.

"You're Abby Brown, right?"Jimmy asked pointing the gun at her, she did not answer and he took it for assent. "What's my name?" Jimmy asked and Abby froze.

"Jim?" Abby replied scared as the gun was only pointed at her.

"My full name!" Jimmy shouted harshly and Abby winced, she did not know. "Come on! Who am I?" Jimmy asked angrily.

"I don't know." Abby cried and Rachel stepped in.

"You're the guy from the time capsule." Rachel stated but that wasn't doing any good.

"Jimmy Edwards!" Claudia exclaimed as she looked at him pleadingly. "You're Jimmy Edwards." Claudia said tearfully as she shook her head. "And you're a good guy. And you are better than this." Claudia stated sternly, hoping that he would see the light.

"Just shut up, all of you! SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!" Jimmy shouted as he lost the plot.

"Jimmy, seven hostages in the tutor center? That's not you. We used to be close." Claudia stated trying to cover for Haley who was on her phone, however, Jimmy saw.

"What're you doing? What's in your pocket?" Jimmy asked and Claudia looked worried. 

"Nothing." Haley replied guiltily.

"WHAT'S IN YOUR POCK-" Jimmy shouted louder as he pointed the gun at Haley, however, Nathan spoke over him.

"Hey, OK, stop pointing the gun at her, alright?" Nathan asked as he held out the bat and Haley showed Jimmy her phone.

"It's just my phone, OK?" Haley cried as Claudia still held onto her hand.

"GIVE it to me. Throw it here." Jimmy ordered sternly and Haley threw him the phone with tears running down her face. Jimmy caught the phone and looked at the screen. It showed 911 and the call had been connected for half a minute.

"Ah,... Haley. I used to like you." Jimmy stated worried and Nathan moved forward so he was stood in front of both Claudia and Haley. Jimmy answered the call. "Hi, 911? Yeah, here's the thing; if anyone comes even remotely close to this school, we start shooting students." Jimmy stated and Claudia gasped. "You hear me?"  Jimmy shouted to the other end. Mouth gaped at what Jimmy had just said. Rachel looked sideways and Abby continued to cry. "You come in here, your kids die." Jimmy stated sternly before he threw the phone against the far wall. It shattered. He turned back around quickly. "Alright, I want everyone's cell phones! Let's GO!" Jimmy screamed and everyone got their phones out. "And you, missy; pepper-spray, roll it over here." Jimmy ordered Rachel as everyone threw their phones to him. Rachel rolled the pepper-spray. "The baseball bat too, come ON!" Jimmy ordered Nathan as he waved the gun. Nathan gave up the bat and Rachel threw her phone over last. Jimmy noticed that Nathan did not throw his phone. "Where's your phone, Scott?" Jimmy asked pointing the gun at Nathan. 

"I don't-I don't have it with me." Nathan lied and Jimmy retracted the gun slightly, distrust was written all over his face. "You can check me if you want." Nathan stated hoping that Jimmy wouldn't.

"Just tape the line." Jimmy ordered as he continued to point the gun at Nathan. Nathan looked back at Claudia before he moved forward and did what he was told. Claudia and Haley loved over to Mouth. Claudia held her hand to her mouth. Nathan stuck the end to the floor and pulled the roll back.

___

Jimmy continued to walk around pointing the gun everyone. Claudia was sat at a desk on her own with Nathan. She held onto his hand. Haley sat at the table beside theres so she was still in reach of Claudia. Haley sat at the table alongside: Mouth, Rachel and Skills. Marcus sat by himself at the back and Abby leaned against the filing cabinet on the floor. Jimmy sat at the teachers desk on the other side of the line.

"Alright, nobody crosses that line!" Jimmy shouted sternly as he pointed to the taped line. Rachel looked at him scared. "If anybody does..." Jimmy began to say as he looked at everyone. Skills sat their and listened. "... just don't." Jimmy stated because he didn't know what he was going to say.

"Or what, Jim?" Claudia asked as she looked at him. 

"Would you really do that? Would you shoot us?" Hay asked as they phones still rung- worried parents of the hostages. 

"Don't talk to me, Haley." Jimmy spat.

"Coz I don't think that you would." Haley stated truthfully. Jimmy wasn't a monster he was a just a sick kid who fell into a hole of darkness after being bullied for so long.

"Right. When's the last time we hung out?" Jimmy asked Haley who looked at Claudia tearful. Jimmy turned and pointed the gun at mouth. "You're as bad as my best friend Mouth who totally blew me off!" Jimmy exclaimed and Mouth looked at him with pain in his eyes. Jimmy looked around nervously. 

"You didn't wanna do anything." Mouth cried as he shook his head.

"You tell yourself that but you changed and you know it!" Jimmy exclaimed as he waved the gun around. "You became just like the rest of them." Jimmy shouted and Claudia shook her head.

"Don't do that." Claudia stated and then Rachel then came to Mouth's defence.

"Don't make him feel guilty for living his life. This is not his fault." Rachel said almost in tears. "This is your fault!" Rachel shouted angrily.

"No, it's your fault!" Jimmy glared angrily. "You think this is what I wanted?" Jimmy asked everyone.  "What, you think I... I got up today and wanted this?! I just wanted it to stop." Jimmy admitted and Claudia rested a head on Nathan's shoulder as she cried a little more. "This is kinda screwed up, huh, Skills?" Jimmy asked his ex-friend. Skills just shrugged.

"It's more than 'kinda', dawg. For real." Skills replied not interested. He wasn't interested in playing mind games with Jimmy.

"Jimmy just stop." Claudia stated tearfully as she looked over at him. Nathan held onto her hand tighter.

"Claudia, when was the last you ever hung out with us, huh? What about Junk?" Jimmy asked tauntingly and more tears cascaded down Claudia's face faster. "When was the last time you spoke to him?" Jimmy asked and Claudia shot up out of her seat.

"Don't you dare bring Junk into this Jim." Claudia stated sternly as she pointed her finger at Jimmy. She may not of spoke to Junk a lot this last year but he still was her friend.

"Don't come any closer." Jimmy warned as Claudia stood at the line. Nathan stood up to get his wife but Haley shook her head. She knew that Claudia had something to say. Nathan sat back down and everyone watched. Nathan worried about Claudia's lack of fear.

"Jimmy, you can't do this." Claudia stated wiping the tears.

"How was the tour Claudia?" Jimmy asked tauntingly and Claudia looked back at Nathan- he was scared but Claudia nodded her head to tell him it was going to be okay. "You didn't say goodbye or hello to any of us, any of your 'friends'." Jimmy spat angrily and Claudia shook her head.

"I didn't goodbye to anyone. I packed my bags and left." Claudia stated truthfully, she didn't even tell Nathan that she was going or not. He found out from Taylor. "Here, take my purse. Look at the pictures." Claudia stated as she went into her bag and threw her purse at Jimmy. He caught it and still held onto the gun.

"I just see a bunch of pictures of Nathan, Lucas and Haley." He muttered as he looked at the pictures at the front.

"Look harder then." Claudia said and then she saw Jimmy's face change. "There we go." Claudia smiled. "That's us at the river court. All of us." Claudia continued as Jimmy looked at the picture that Brooke took when the basketball team played with the river court guys after the Open Mic night at Karen's Cafe. "So don't you dare ever say that I didn't care about any of you's from the river court. Because you seven are my best friends. In the last year I have just gotten some more. So Jimmy don't you say I don't care about my seven best friends, because I do." Claudia explained as Jimmy threw her back her purse.

"This shows nothing Claudia." Jimmy muttered coldly and Claudia scoffed.

"Junk and I still text, like all the time." Claudia replied as she walked back to her seat. "I see Mouth at the games and we speak." Claudia continued as she pointed over at a sad Mouth. "Skills and Fergie are still messaging me." Claudia smiled over at Skills. "I just haven't had time to see them in person because I have been trying to fix a mistake I made." Claudia finished as she looked over at Nathan.

"We could charge you." Marcus stated changing the subject and Jimmy looked sideways at Marcus. "You know?" He asked tauntingly. Marcus was leaning against the wall and then he walked slowly towards Jimmy. "We all charge you at once; no way you'd shoot us all." Marcus smirked as he shook his head. Jimmy looked at him pityingly. 

"Yeah, you're probably right, but... who's gonna be first?" Jimmy asked as he slowly moved the gun around, trying to pick a person. "Besides, even if you get past me, the others will get you." Jimmy stated coldly. Abby Brown looked at him, terrified. She was not looking well.

"Are there others, Jim?" Haley asked tearfully and Nathan shook his head. 

"No, no, no. I was out there." Nathan replied as he looked over at Jimmy. "It's just you." He stated monotone.

"You think so?" Jimmy asked and Claudia swallowed with fear. "You really think I'm the only one?" Jimmy asked as he walked forwards, he aimed the gun at Nathan. "Then ask yourself this; you ever treat someone like crap in this school, or left anyone out? You ever broken up with someone in the time it takes to... pass a note and disappear?! Or talk trash behind their back?! Or maybe you just ignored it all. You know, while you worry about the big game or the prom or the bake sale for the pep-club. YOU ask yourselves that!" Jimmy asked and some people looked guilt and other people looked angry. "And then you tell me; 'is anyone else out there'!" Jimmy finished as another phones started to ring- it had an irritating ringtone. "Whose phone is that?!" Jimmy asked annoyed. 

"It's mine. It's the ringtone for my mom." Marcus explained annoyed. Jimmy slammed the gun onto the desk and yanked the drawer open. 

"God, I hate this!" Jimmy groaned as he grabbed the phone and pulled it out- answering it. "Yeah, open your eyes; you're son's a dick!" Jimmy shouted as he threw the phone against the wall. Marcus looked at him disbelief. Claudia jumped a little, scared.  Jimmy answered another ringing phone. :Open your eyes!" He shouted before he threw that one against the wall too. Mouth closed his eyes and allowed his head to fall against his hands. Haley did the same thing. "Open your eyes!" Jimmy shouted as he did the same thing to another ringing phone. "Open your eyes!" Jimmy shouted into the last phone before he threw it against the wall. Marcus charged for him. Jimmy saw him and quickly grabbed the gun. He pointed the gun straight at Marcus' face. Everyone stood up. "Think I'm playing around?" Jimmy asked the group and Marcus was expressionless.

"Whoa, whoa. Just chill out." Nathan said trying to calm him down.

"Jimmy, please!" Claudia exclaimed terrified. 

"You're not gonna do it." Marcus stated coldly.

"Shut up! Don't push me." Jimmy warned sternly.

"Skills, help me out here." Nathan shouted desperately. Skills walked forward. 

"Yo, Marcus, man." Skills stated as he walked a little towards Marcus.

"You better back him up!" Jimmy shouted to the rest of the group.

"LISTEN TO HIM!" Rachel cried desperately. Haley hugged onto Claudia with fear. 

"YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO IT!" Marcus shouted, he had no fear.

"Marcus!" Skills shouted.

"WHAT?!" Marcus shouted loudly as he turned around, Skills punched him hard in the face. Marcus fell down on the ground. Skills looked over at Nathan. 

"That help you out?" Skills asked and Claudia looked down at Marcus' body in shock. Jimmy did not know where to point the gun. 

"Behind the line!" Jimmy shouted and everyone backed away quickly except for Nathan and Skills who took their time. "Move, Skills." Jimmy warned pointing the gun and Skills stood behind them line. "Get behind the line!" Jimmy shouted louder and Claudia winced.

"Skills please." Claudia begged as she let go of Haley. Skills nodded his head and Claudia sighed slightly with relief.

Abby Brown leaned against the filing cabinet for support and cried. Everybody shuffled around. Jimmy still held up the gun.

___

Mouth, Rachel, Haley and Skills still sat at the table. Abby was on the floor against the wall and Marcus was on the filing cabinet, with a drink. Nathan and Claudia were still sitting together. 

"You might wanna duck." Marcus said to Jimmy who was smoking. Jimmy looked sideways. Outside a helicopter roamed around the outside of the school. 

"Nah, it's just the reporters. We're all part of this circus now." Skills replied annoyed.

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Nathan asked Jimmy who continued to smoke a fag. "What do you want to happen?" Nathan asked curiously. Jimmy exhaled and shook his head.

"I-I wanna crap a million and a plane ticket to Bolivia!" Jimmy replied back mockingly. Claudia rolled her eyes.

"Maybe you could just give up." Rachel suggested.

"Ah, yeah, that's it; I'll just... call a do-over." Jimmy replied sarcastically as he held onto the fag.

"Why not? You didn't hurt anybody." Rachel asked but Jimmy's vibe was unsettling. "Did you?" Rachel asked and Jimmy took another drag as he looked away. 

"Did you shoot anyone, Jimmy?" Mouth asked gently. Jimmy placed the fag out in the paperclip tub.

"I don't know." Jimmy replied honestly.

"You don't have a record, Jim. You're a good student and you're a minor." Claudia explained optimistic. 

"Yeah. Man, maybe this isn't... as bad as you think." Nathan replied trying to help his wife out. Nathan, however, quite obviously did not believe that. Jimmy looked around and Marcus laughed. 

"You're kidding, right?" Marcus stated looking at everyone. Abby looked worse by the minute. "The guy shot up a school!" Marcus exclaimed and Skills looked back at Marcus.

"Would you shut up, man?!" Skills shouted pointedly.

"You shut up! I'm not lying for him." Marcus replied and Jimmy glared at him. "Pointed a gun at my head and threatened to kill me. I hope they fry his ass." Marcus sneered and Claudia banged on the table.

"Marcus, would you stop." She stated sternly and angrily.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Abby asked and Mouth looked back at her. "He's just a kid. We're all... just kids and we just have this life and the things you say and do; we feel that!" Abby exclaimed crying. Marcus looked at her and rolled his eyes. "How can you have so much hate in your heart? (pause) How can you act like is doesn't matter? It does matter!" Abby ranted and Jimmy looked away sadly. "What happened to us, huh? We're just... kids! We can't be like this. It's not possible!" Abby shook her head crying before she broke down. Haley looked at her with tears in her eyes. Claudia stood up and walked over at Abby and hugged her as she cried. 

'Seven-hundred days." Rachel stated and everyone looked at her.  "High school." She continued. "Out of twenty or thirty thousand. Can't you see past that?!" Rachel asked and Jimmy looked away. "It's only seven-hundred days." Rachel muttered.

"Yeah, and how many of these days... do I get back?" Jimmy asked and everyone stayed silent. "Do I get back the days I got spit on?" Jimmy asked and Claudia looked down at the ground as she held onto Abby. "Or the day I learned to look at the floor when I walk the halls?" Jimmy asked, his voice was hard and Rachel looked down. "Or how bout the day my dad came to pick me up and saw me getting my ass kicked on the quad, and realised his son was a loser?!" Jimmy exclaimed and Mouth looked down. "You ever see the look in your father's eyes when he realises that?" Jimmy asked sadly and Nathan shook his head in pity. "Do I get that day back?" Jimmy inhaled. "Coz I saw that same look the day he left me and my mom!" Jimmy hissed before he looked away briefly and Abby still cried. This time, however, Claudia joined in.

"That sucks, man." Nathan said truly and Claudia looked at Nathan sympathetically. "I'm sorry." Nathan said sympathetically. Abby rested her head on the wall and Claudia stood up and walked over to her seat.

"It's great, you're sorry." Jimmy scoffed. "Well you can forget it! This ain't... breakfast club! You know, we're not all gonna... fire up a joint and be pals, I mean, let's face it, this is the most any of us have talked in four years! And we all know if I didn't have this GUN, it never happens." Jimmy exclaimed angrily as he shook his gun manically.

"Look, people suck, OK?" Marcus spoke up and everyone looked down, they were all guilty. "It's just high school, man." Marcus shrugged.

"Yeah, there's always college, right?" Jimmy muttered and Mouth nodded his head.

"MIT. Remember, Jim?" Mouth asked, it had always been Jimmy's dream. Jimmy closed his eyes.

"They rejected me." Jimmy replied and Claudia rested her head on Nathan's shoulder forwards. "And you know why? Not enough activities." Jimmy stated and Mouth looked away. "Yeah, I guess Tree Hill fight club doesn't count" Jimmy joked cynically.

"You know, one school is not the end of the world." Nathan replied comfortingly.

"Yeah, it is for me. It's the end of my world." Jimmy replied truthfully.

"So, what; all this because you didn't get into college? All this because you're not popular?" Marcus asked confused.

"No." Jimmy groaned. "All this because I'm tired of it." Jimmy muttered sadly, as he turned away. He was still pointing the gun at his hostages. 

___

Abby Brown was still leaning against the wall and she looked a lot worse than before. Claudia was sitting on the chair as she held her husbands hand.

"I need to get outta here." Abby groaned upset. Marcus spared her a glance.

"Yeah, me too, can we get a hall pass?" Marcus asked jokingly. The school bell rung, signalling the end of the first class. Jimmy looked around as he sat on the front desk.  

"Has it only been an hour? It seems like it's been longer than that." Jimmy replied in a normal speaking voice.

"I have Current Events this period." Haley stated and Claudia nodded her head because she had it as well.

"I think this counts." Rachel replied as both girls turned to face her. Nathan looked at Jimmy. 

"Edwards, where're you supposed to be right now?" Nathan asked Jimmy.

"I'm supposed to be in AP English but I stopped going." Jimmy replied.

"Why?" Rachel asked curiously. 

"Well, because I missed a couple of weeks about three months ago and I couldn't catch up." Jimmy stated and Claudia sighed. "You see, one day, I spent a whole day in this school without a single person looking at me or talking to me. And I realised that was the best day I'd had in a long time; the day that nobody noticed me at all. The day I stopped being there." Jimmy explained before he nodded his head. "That was the best day. Well, that was kinda depressing so... I went home and took an antidepressant." Jimmy finished and Claudia looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. She knew what Jimmy was going to say next.

"No." Claudia whispered and Jimmy looked at her and continued.

"And then I took another one... and then, for fun, I took twelve more." Jimmy added and Mouth looked down before he buried his head in his arms. Abby cried silently. "My mom and the doctors called it an accident. And then, two weeks later, when I got back to school; (pause as he shakes his head) nobody noticed. It was like I'd never left." Jimmy continued and Mouth finally looked up, his was face red from crying.  "I guess that's the up-side of not being there in the first place, right? Nobody misses you when you're gone." Jimmy finished and Mouth shook his head as he cried.

"Don't say that Jimmy." Claudia cried. 

"It's not supposed to be this way." Mouth stated and everyone turned to face him. "The artists and the scientists and poets; none of them fit in at seventeen. You're supposed to get past it. Adults – they see kids killing kids and... they know it's a tragedy because they used to be those kids; the bullies and the beaten and the loners." Mouth explained and Jimmy cried as he placed an arm to his face. "You're supposed to get past it." Mouth continued as Jimmy rubbed his face. "You're supposed to live long enough to take it back!" Mouth exclaimed as he shook his head. "Just take it all back." Mouth cried and Claudia looked up at Jimmy.

"Jimmy, we were all bullied. Come on do you not think Haley and I, got our fair share of abuse?" Claudia asked looking at Haley for a little bit of help.

"People used to make fun of us too. Maybe not to the same extent." Haley added and Jimmy shook his head.

"But we got over it, we ignored them." Claudia stated sympathetically.

"Yeah but it is easier for you two." Jimmy replied and Claudia and Haley looked at each other confused. Before Lucas joined the team Haley and Claudia were nerds. Haley liked Lucas, Claudia liked no one when she didn't have the periods of time when she fancied Nathan. The jocks were the main source of bullying. 

"How?" Haley asked as she turned to face Jimmy more.

"Because you two had Lucas, Skills, Mouth, Fergie and Junk looking out for you." Jimmy replied and Claudia and Haley looked over at Mouth and Skills who nodded their heads. "Who did I have, huh?" Jimmy asked and Claudia quickly turned to face Jimmy.

"Who did you have?" She asked confused, she was actually quite hurt. "Seventh grade, I was eating lunch with you. Do you remember why?" Claudia asked and Jimmy shook his head. "Greg was picking on you, calling you names. Do you remember what happened next?" Claudia explained and everyone looked over at him. "I shouted at him and everyone else for laughing at you. Then they started to call me names too." Claudia continued and Jimmy looked away. "Jimmy, I may not of been there all the time but I was always looking out for you. You were and still are, hopefully, my friend." Claudia stated smiling and Jimmy didn't do anything.

___

Jimmy let go of the blinds and stepped away from the window. Claudia rested her head on Nathan's. She was annoyed that he came back for her but also really happy.

"You are really stupid for coming back for me." Claudia laughed slightly as she lifted her head back up so there was further distance between them. "I want you to be safe, god I love you." She sighed as she rested both hands on his cheeks.

"I don't wanna be safe without you." Nathan said sweetly as he shook his head.

"I heard what you said, Scott;" Jimmy stated and they both looked over at him,  Claudia let go of Nathan's face. "In the time capsule, about Claudia." Jimmy continued and Nathan looked away. "Guys like you can get away with it." Jimmy muttered and that made Nathan angry.

"Oh, guys like me, huh?" Nathan scoffed annoyed. "You can pass judgment about guys like me all you want but somebody stereotypes you and there's gunplay?" Nathan exclaimed confused.

"Whatever." Jimmy muttered. "Your worst day in this place would be my best day." Jimmy spat and Claudia looked behind her to see a sick Abby, she slapped Haley's shoulder and Haley looked over at Abby and noticed she was sick.

"OK, OK, maybe so. Alright, maybe it is easier for me and my friends. But, you know what, that doesn't make what you're doing right, does it? This is wrong, man; all of this. And I think you know that." Nathan explained as Claudia and Haley saw that Abby was unwell.

"Abby." Haley stated before she stood up. Everyone looked over at Abby.

"You OK?" Claudia asked concerned. Abby Brown was looking sickly and moving back and forth slightly.

"I'm fine." Abby lied and Claudia frowned. Her and Haley walked over to Abby. Claudia touched Abby's forehead. 

"No, you're not." Claudia stated as she took a hold of Abby's hand. Claudia's cousin Reign had a medical bracelet so Claudia automatically checked if Abby did. She had a bracelet which had 'diabetes' written across it.  "You're diabetic!?" Claudia whispered shocked. "Where's your insulin?" Claudia asked. Haley looked worried.

"What's wrong with her?" Jimmy asked concerned.

"She's diabetic!" Haley stated glancing back as Claudia checked Abby's pockets.

"Where is it?" Claudia asked worried.

"In my locker! Across the quad." Abby cried and then she looked over at Jimmy. "I'm sorry." She cried.

"Oh, no, no, no," Jimmy stated as he shook his head, "forget it! It's impossible." Jimmy exclaimed.

"You could let her go." Rachel said.

"Yeah, you got us, dawg." Skills replied indicating at the group of eight hostages.

"Jimmy, she's really sick." Haley stated truthfully.

"Let her go, Jim." Mouth nodded and Nathan joined in.

"Yeah, let her go." Nathan stated.

"Unbelievable!" Jimmy shouted torn as he pointed the gun again. "Alright, just you, come on." Jimmy ordered and both Claudia and Haley reached for Abby.

"Come on, Abby." Claudia smiled as she helped her too the door. Mouth got up and helped from the back. Marcus stood too. 

"Hey, I'm sick too. Seriously, I feel terrible." Marcus lied and Claudia turned around to face him.

"Marcus shut up!" Claudia shouted, she was getting really irritated with him.

"Stay behind the line!" Jimmy warned and Mouth jumped scared before he stopped. "Come on" Jimmy said just to Abby. Mouth, Claudia and Haley backed up as Abby walked forward. Jimmy opened the door as they three friends walked back to their seats. Abby stopped at the doorway and turned to look at them- pale faced and sweaty. "GO on before I change my mind!" Jimmy hissed scaring Abby because she visibly jumped.

"I'm scared." Abby confessed and Jimmy sighed.

"Of what?" Jimmy asked.

"The others." Abby replied tearfully, Jimmy looked at her sadly. 

"Are there others, Jim?" Claudia asked looking over at Jimmy.

"Does this feel well planned to you? " Jimmy asked looking down at the taped line. Everyone shuffled in their seats. Jimmy breathed harshly. He looked at Abby kindly. "Go." Jimmy whispered kindly, Abby smiled and backed up before she moved down the corridor slowly. She looked into the tutor centre as she walked away. Abby Brown began to  run down the corridor and around the corner. Jimmy watched her longingly. In the background, Nathan was on his phone, texting. Jimmy turned back and spotted Nathan. "Hey!" Jimmy shouted, Nathan dropped his phone and held his hands up. "What're you doing? You said you didn't have a phone! Who'd you call?!" Jimmy asked frantically as he pointed the gun at Nathan, Claudia winced. Jimmy looked back to the doorway, panicked. "They better not come in here!" Jimmy exclaimed as he banged once on the shut door, hard. "I should have known it was all about the gun." Jimmy shouted as he walked forward, pointing he gun manically. "So what, do I have to pull the trigger again for you to take me seriously?" Jimmy asked them all.

"No!" Haley shouted as she lifted her head up to reveal her tearstained face.

"Jesus Jimmy stop!" Claudia begged as they gun was pointed towards her. She was terrified.

"Edwards, come on, man." Skills stated worried, however, he wasn't showing it.

"I promise you, whoever steps into that hallway... is gonna die!" Jimmy shouted distraught as he pointed the gun towards them again. Jimmy's head jerked up as he heard a noise. Everyone listened quietly. "I guess that's my cue." Jimmy stated slightly psychotic. Jimmy walked to the door. 

"Don't!" Rachel pleaded. "Just stop! Change it." Rachel cried as she shook her head. "Don't do this." Rachel begged as Jimmy closed his eyes, uncaring. 

"Please, Jim. Just turn yourself in. I can go with you." Mouth said caring but Jimmy just shook his head.

"This can't be happening." Claudia cried. "Jimmy we will go with you, okay? You can turn yourself in." Claudia suggested optimistically and Nathan held onto her hand.

"Yo, Edwards, man. It don't have to be like this, dawg." Skills stated and Jimmy turned to face Skills.

"Yeah, I think it does." Jimmy nodded as he turned to the door, unlocked it and opened it. 

"Jimmy!" Haley called tearfully and softly.

"You know, they're gonna remember me as a monster." Jimmy stated looking at them all. "I wonder how they'll remember all of you." Jimmy continued and Claudia shook her head crying.

"I won't remember you as a monster Jim. I won't have to because you will walk out of this alive." Claudia cried and Nathan shook his head. There was nothing Claudia could do or say that would change his mind.

"Naïve." Jimmy muttered as he backed out of the room and turned to face the corridor. Claudia turned to face Nathan and buried her face in his shoulder. Haley and Mouth both cried openly.

___

Dan was stood in the school corridor, he looked down at the dead Jimmy who Keith was holding. Dan lifted up the gun and held it to Keith. Keith watched the movement and stood. Dan pointed the gun steadily at his brother. Keith looked at Dan in confusion and bewilderment. Dan waited a second before he pulled the trigger on his own brother. Keith recoiled and fell to the floor. The empty bullet case hit the floor too. Dan looks at the dead Keith coldly. 

___

"Jack, oh my god." Claudia cried as she ran up to him and hugged him, Jack hugged his younger tightly.

"I thought I lost you!" Jack cried as he held onto this younger sister, he pulled back. "I should of been there, Claude. I should of been in there with you." Jack cried and Claudia shook her head.

"I needed you out here safe." Claudia replied tearfully. "I just can't believe Jimmy is gone." Claudia cried and Jack held onto her tightly.

"I told mum and dad, they are coming back." Jack stated and Claudia looked at him shocked.

"What why? They love touring?" Claudia asked confused.

"Oh I don't know maybe cause their daughter was held hostage for about two hours?" Jack asked and Claudia laughed. Nathan walked up behind her and hugged her.

"Claudia." He said tearfully and Claudia looked up at him shocked. Jack walked away when he saw Haley crying, he ran up to her and they both hugged. Haley and Jack had became really good friends even though they only used each other to make Lucas jealous.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Claudia asked but then she saw two dead bodies being wheeled away on a gurney with Karen and Lucas crying. "No. Keith?" She asked tearfully and Nathan nodded his head. Claudia felt weak on her knees and fell to the ground crying. Nathan bent down and held his wife. She couldn't believe she lost Keith. He was the substitute dad when Claudia's dad wasn't around. Claudia just hugged Nathan as they both cried. 

++++

I really hope that I have done this episode justice. I have been writing it for hours trying to make it perfect.  I added in a whole section with Claudia and Jimmy because I felt that it would work and would be more dramatic. It is also over 7000 words so it is really long lol!

Also my stupid laptop keeps freezing so it took a little bit longer. Anyways, vote and comment on what you thought of this episode. 

Lots of Love,

Mrs N O'Brien