Dominique

*This story may contain sensitive topics that's not appropriate for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.*

Dominic

"Hey Dominique, where'd you get those shoes from?" The tall boys bumped me slamming me into the locker, "Your Grandma's closet?" They all laughed and pushed me, throwing me around like one of their little playthings.

I let them have their way because soon I'll have my way.

"Freak." One of the boys scoffed as they walked away, the bell sounding in the halls. I massaged the side of my stomach knowing the bruises that had already healed would suffer. It would create a dark greenish purple that I would blame on a skateboard incident.

I picked myself up opening my locker, "Get to class young man." Where was he a few minutes ago, when I was getting jumped by 3 boys bigger in size and in ego. I opened my bag tossing in books to conceal what I would soon unleash.

I slammed my locker close and saluted the staff that had his arms crossed watching me from across the hall. "On my way sir." I groaned softly as every move would send a chilly feeling throughout my body.

It was like stinging yourself with ice, it was a cold, pinch of pain.

I took a seat the classroom in a ruckus, discussing the assembly that we had this afternoon. I laid my bag down on the desk cautiously touching it. My heart was beating in my ears drowning out the sounds of the room around me. A line of sweat trickled down my temple as my hands became slick with moisture.

I zipped open the bag stuffing the small handgun in my jacket. The room around me spun and so did my mind. I felt like I was slipping, like morality was slowly peeling itself way from my self-conscious. My previous anger boiled down into something cold, something that sent chills over my body. I got up stumbling a bit, "Dominic, where are you going?"

"Bathroom." I muttered the vile vicious thoughts that has consumed my mind earlier dwindling into a sea of nothing.

My mind was quiet, but it wasn't at peace.

I closed the classroom door putting my back against it. I slid down stuffing my hand in my jacket feeling the cold body of the gun. I wrapped my finger around the trigger pulling it.

A click sounded; it was on safety.

"Little Dominique on her period?" I glanced up at the snickering boy walking past, "Don't worry I'll get you a tampon."

I watched as he disappeared after turning the corner. I got up and followed him clicking the gun.

It was off of safety, and I was Dominique.

Evan

I set the book down in front of the librarian, "I brought it on time."

She chuckled taking the book, "You better Mr. Evan, otherwise you would've been buying my lunch."

I smiled pointing behind me, "I'm going to check out some more books." I waved her off and went into the aisles looking through the categories. "Romance...mystery...ahh." I took the book of the shelf, "Crime."

"He's got a gun!" Someone shouted and I looked over the shelf to see student's running in.

"Close the door!" Someone shouted, "Oh crap!" A loud gunshot followed and my whole body shook. It ringed through my ears, causing me to lose feeling dropping the book.

I remained frozen my eyes trained on the student with the gun, it was Dominic. He kicked some other students walking through the library with a grin. I dropped down feeling like my senses was thrown off balance. My heart was pounding against my ribcage as I crawled deeper into the library.

More shots followed and I hid behind a bean bag. My chest was heaving, and I tried to breathe quietly.

Dominic.

He was my friend, we were partners, he... why? I closed my eyes and was met with the disturbing image of him taking another life. I peeled my eyes open, sparkles swarming around my vision.

I clutched onto the bean bag my hands sweating. I exhaled tears stinging in my eyes with every raggedy breath. "Evan."

I felt bile rise in my throat at the voice and I looked up to see Dominic. Blood ran down his face, his former wide smiles unrecognizable against this monster. "Dominic what happened?"

"No." He whispered putting a hand on my shoulder holding it with a tight grip, "It's Dominique."

Mr. Snyder

"Alright alright." I called the class of teenagers into order, "I know you guys are all excited, but we do have a test today." I shrugged at the sharp whispers knowing that would be the reaction I would get. I sighed taking a seat at the computer, "Say here for attendance."

A loud scream followed my sentence and the chattering in the room ceased, "Mr. Snyder what was that?" Loud booms ringed in my ears and a couple of the students screamed.

I stood up clicking the monitor of my screen off, I put a finger to my lips, "Quiet." I pointed at the farthest end of the classroom, "Quietly go." The students did as they were told, and I opened a drawer getting a key for the classroom door.

I locked the door turning the lights off and pressed my ear against the cold slab of wall. More screams and shots shook the school, creating a horrible weight on my heart. I looked over at the group of kids, "Mr. Snyder, what's going on?"

I sighed, "Text your parents..." I pressed my forehead against the door, "Tell them there's an active shooter on campus."

The P.A. system came on, "This is a code red, all teacher's lock your doors and remain in your classroom."

I exhaled my heart sounding in my ears, causing my neck to stiffen. Sweat was building across my body, more prominent in my hands. I wiped them on my dress pants swearing softly to myself.

There was a loud banging on the door and I jumped back. The banging sounded again and I looked back at the kids mouthing, "Quiet."

"Mr. Snyder..." I could hear a voice sob behind the door, "Let me in." I couldn't recognize the voice, but it had to be a student. "Please."

I reached for the door knob my hands trembling, "Don't." One of the students whispered, "He'll kill us."

I squeezed my eyes shut and felt my throat going dry. There were more screams and shots, "Please let me in man!" I put my hand in my pocket feeling the key, "I don't want to die."

"What's your name kid?" The loud stomping of feet shook the ground, "What's your name!"

"Dominique."