Page 2 of The Only Shot that Mattered

Cam pulled her in close, clinging to her while she clung to Ashley. They waited, long seconds passing them by. A scream sounded from the hallway, and then another shot. This one sounded like it had passed their classroom. Kenna squeezed her eyes shut tightly as she tried to breathe. Her entire body shook at that point, and she couldn’t help it. Her bladder released. She was too afraid to be embarrassed as she felt the warm pee flow down her jeans and puddle on and around her shoes.

When another shot rang out, it sounded like it was distant… above them, almost.

She felt Cam squeeze her arm. When he spoke, it startled her, causing her eyes to open. “They’re upstairs. Come on, we have to run.”

“Mr. Lewis, stay where you are,” Mr. Landon warned Cam. The two stared each other down, fear filling the space between them. Cam was considered the class clown, so he often went toe to toe with the teachers, but he was also almost always their favorite student, Mr. Landon included. Kenna saw the deep care for Cam in Mr. Landon’s eyes. He wanted to protect Cam. He wanted to protect all of them, but she also saw unwavering sadness fill her teacher’s eyes. To know Camden Lewis was to know he made his own decisions, period. Nobody told him what to do, and if he did listen, it was because he respected the person giving the order.

There was no doubt in Kenna’s mind that Cam respected Mr. Landon, but his life was something he wasn’t about to put into someone else’s hand, and Kenna knew Mr. Landon understood that.

“I’m not waiting around here to die. You guys can do that if you want.” Cam tugged on Kenna’s arm, but she stayed planted in place out of fear, still gripping onto Ashely. “Kenna, bring your ass. I’ll carry you if I have to.”

Cam and Kenna had other friends at school, but their bond was unmatched. She knew that Cam would absolutely carry her because he loved her just as much as he loved himself. Maybe even more. But she felt glued in place. She wasn’t sure she could move. Cam didn’t care. He tugged her again,hard, just as another shot rang out. This one sounded even more distant, letting Kenna know it really was now or never… unless there was a second shooter.

Could there be?Her mind wanted to wander to that possibility, but Cam’s rough tugs on her arms snapped her out of it.

With wobbly legs, she took a step forward, her vision blurred because of her tears. She felt as if she would go into a full-blown panic attack at any second, but she willed her mind to stay just clear enough to get them out of there first.

Ashley tugged away from Kenna, shaking like a leaf. “I-I can’t g-go out t-there.”

Kenna looked at her, and with a quivering voice, she said, “Ashley, please.” And then she looked at her other classmates, unable to make out any faces because of her tears. “Please. The school entrance is right around the corner. We can make it. Please?—”

“Kenna, fuck them. Let’s go,” Cam interrupted and then tugged her again, practically dragging her this time as they rushed toward the door, stumbling over fallen backpacks and books.

When they got close to the door, they ducked down. There was a long rectangle of glass just above the handle so they could see into the hall, but it gave a very narrow view. Cam cursed under his breath before unlocking the door. Another shot rang out, this one sounding muffled still, but did it sound closer? Kenna felt sweat drip down the back of her neck as paranoia took over.

Cam twisted the door handle and Kenna grabbed his arm. “Wait, Cam. No. I can’t do this.”

Her voice came out louder than she meant, causing Cam to let go of the doorknob, startled. “Damnit, Kenna, cut it out. Stop it!”

He ignored her crying and grabbed the doorknob again. She noticed sweat stains on the back of his light pink shirt, and she stared at them, feeling the burn in her calves and thighs from crouching.

Slowly, he pried open the door and peeked his head out. She heard him gasp, which caused her heart to stutter. She gripped onto his waist in terror, too afraid to ask him what he saw.

She didn’t have to wait long to find out. He reached behind him to grab her hand, then flung the door open wide, pulling them out of the room. Kenna took care to close the door behind her, but she cringed when it slammed shut because of how hard Cam pulled on her.

The first thing she noticed was the smoke.

The second thing that registered was the smell—like smoky rotten eggs.

The third thing she saw were other brave students sneaking out of their classrooms and darting toward the front entrance of the school.

The final thing she noted, something that seemed so odd for the place she spent most of her time over the past four years, were the bodies.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Six bodies. Six classmates. So much blood.

Kenna stopped suddenly as her mind caught up with the sight before her. The sound of a kid gagging as they ran toward the exit registered, but Cam’s harsh tone somehow didn’t. Not for several long, precious seconds.

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