Chapter 2

Faith and I were walking to our last session of HomeEc, and we got some scornful looks from Faith's team members, who where usually throwing someone or another a scornful look for whatever imagined wrong, so those stares remained largely ignored. After all, we were both happy, and the fact that the day was nearly over further heightened our pleasure, knowing that we could both go home and start e-mailing each other in an almost endless cyber-chat, where no one could complain or tell us that I was too geeky or that she was too perfect.

I suppose that, if you really wanna point fingers, some of the blame goes to me for not acting sooner, for not at least feeling a hint of suspicion when we passed those shady-looking guys in trench coats, although everyone is at least a little guilty of that charge. I suppose that, when you get right down to it, that the crime committed that day was really out of everyone's control, including those carrying out the infraction, and that forces out of our control were really pulling the strings, like some sort of demented puppet master. Whatever the factors, it happened, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, even if I had acted.

A loud bang, like that of a cannon, resounded throughout the corridor, instantly causing a mad, thrashing herd of terrified students to run away from the sound. Knowing the danger of getting trampled that too often accompanied large crowds, Faith and I squeezed through the rushing throng of teenagers and hid in a doorway, waiting for the student body to stampede away.

Eventually, the sound of many running footfalls faded away until it was no more than a dull roar, and Faith and I dared to venture out. We were both confused and scared; "Who brings guns to school?" asked Faith. She was clutching my arm with the force of a pit bull's jaw, although I could certainly understand why.

"Some really messed up souls, that who," I replied solemnly. "Now, could you please let go of my arm? It hurts." Faith looked down, glanced at my rapidly purpling arm, and quickly let go with a mouthed "Sorry".

From far off, I heard someone say gruffly, "Hey, over here. I think I heard somethin'." We retreated back into the doorway. I fumbled with the doorknob, desperately praying that it wasn't locked. The door slowly swung inward, and I pulled Faith into the classroom. Ah, the science lab. Nice choice; plenty of chemicals and beakers that could be thrown at the enemy, causing at least minimal injury. However, the first order of business was finding somewhere to hide...

"Over here!" whispered Faith, as if had been reading my mind, pulling me under the teacher's desk at the front of the room. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but at least it had more escape options that a supply closet. We both held our breath as the gunmen entered, their sneakers squeaking and trench coats swishing, their guns clacking. I felt my heart suddenly pick up speed, and I had to put a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound of my breathing. But that didn't stop them from finding us.

"There you are..." hissed the first gunman. I felt my eyes widen as realization hit me. Jake Couretly? What was he doing shooting innocent students? He had never shown a potential for violent behavior before...However, I didn't have focus to figure out the why, not with a shot gun pointed at my forehead.

That's when Faith did one of the many things that still amazes me to this day. From her sitting position, she kicked straight up (guess those cheerleading practices really came in handy), disarming Jake, and then she delivered an agonizing blow to his groin, causing him to double over in pain. This action alerted the other gunmen-Moe Grymund and Jacob Dresen-their guns pointed in our direction. Faith disarmed them all with ease, while administering painful strikes to their weak points.

"You ever consider becoming a cop, Faith?" I asked her as I got up from under the desk, a look of amazement on my face. All three were lying on the floor, moaning in pain. Chances were that they wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. Or, at least I hoped so.

She shrugged, smiled playfully, her eyes sparkling. "Naw. Good suggestion, though." I will always remember those words; it was the second to last thing she would ever say.

Abruptly, just as we were about to walk out of the room and tell the principal we had caught the perpetrators, I felt a searing pain in my back, and suddenly found myself on the linoleum floor. I looked up, the pain in my back burning like fire. Jake again, this time with a knife. And now he was restraining Faith, the knife pressed against her throat, a maniacal gleam in his slightly glazed-over eyes.

"Don't," I hissed.

"I will," he replied, throat pressing harder, drawing blood, that maniacal gleam turning into insanity. "I will."

"DON'T!" He did.

Author's Note: Yup, had to leave you hanging there. Don't worry, Faith lives, but that doesn't mean life is gonna be normal...And the only reason I'm saying that is so people will actually read the third chapter...Anyway, hope you liked. Shalom!