An ordinary Friday, noises over the loud speaker. I called the office, “There’s a shooter,” she said. “LOCKDOWN!” I yelled. Huddled with 19 9 year olds. We didn’t feel safe. Crawled across the floor to a closet. Blocked the door with a filing cabinet. “Is this real?” one of them asked.
“We don’t know,” I said, “it’s our job to remain here until we are told to.”
“Take these crayons and color,” I said.
Rescue, scarier than hiding. Men in tactical gear with giant weapons. Urgently running us out of the building.
Tears.
Families frantically looking for their children. So many who can’t find them. Slowly, we learn the truth. 20 children, six adults. An unstable man with access to an AR-15 and large capacity magazines. Now, life will never be the same. Crowds are scary. Movies are scary. Anxiety rules.