"Shelter in place." The teacher says as he shuts the gym doors. I think nothing of it and continue with dodgeball, figuring it's just a drill. The period ends. The bell rings. And still we are locked inside the gym. It's lunchtime. My stomach is rumbling. I talk with my friends, confused and bored. I wonder, What is going on? I peek outside the door. Policemen and my principal are talking in the hallway. What? The gym door opens and they walk in. They go into the boys locker room for a while and the calm I had retained for so long starts to change into cold fear. My stomach churns from both hunger and worry. They leave and go back outside. A little while later we go to lunch. The unease I have drifts slowly away.

Science class. I sit with my friend and say Do you know why we had that shelter in place? Yes. She says Some kid brought a gun and he had a hit list. I freeze in horror. Really? I say. Yeah. she responds. I figure out the rest from eavesdropping. He was pulled out of a science class, away from his classmates and teachers. He's not allowed back at school. Then I read the texts and emails of my parents. "Are you okay?" Each one asks me. "I'm fine." I text back. But I feel the fear all the same. All those horror stories of school shootings never seem that scary or real until one almost happens to you.

Please don't let this continue. Raise awareness about this topic. This was based on a true story. I was inspired by OneVoiceManyChildren  to do this. Thank you.