ZEITGEIST 2 FINAL

Friday, April 27, 2018
A LITERARY MAGAZINE
p.13
Short Stories
and I immediately asked her for help. She took me and my friend in and led us to a closet, which was already full of
other students with an ineffable look of trepidation in their faces. I lay on the ground and let my friend rest on top of
me, and everyone remained speechless and immobile for an incredibly long time. I only remember pure darkness and
quiet breaths of sorrow that aggravated my desperation. We heard eight more gunshots and an endless amount of
screams, yet we were incapable of doing anything. I could not imagine what was happening outside those confining
four walls, and I grew increasingly worried about the possible consequences of these sounds. It was infuriating to
remain still, yet if I uttered a single word, I endangered so many other lives, aside from my own, that I was prudent
enough to stay silent. This silence would not last long, though...
I am now pretty sure that an hour went by before we were allowed to exit the closet, even though the terrible sounds
only lasted ten minutes. As I exited the nurse's office, a blur of sights and sounds made me dizzy. I heard police
radios, parents demanding to see their children, and saw red clouds everywhere. I soon found out that one of my
friends, the one that had called me thrice the day before, was shot and killed; I was also told that nine other people
died, including seven students and the nurse that had assured my safety. I could not believe I had the audacity to
disregard and disrespect the people that I most loved. Regret filled my lungs. I struggled to breathe, but I soon heard
my father's voice and felt his embrace. We just stared at each other, and I could not muster the strength to speak. He
drove me home, and I was then able to narrate the unprecedented tragedy that had altered the course of my life in a
matter of seconds.
I do not wish to be labeled merely as a survivor. I have survived, indeed, a terrifying experience, but I would not have
to be grateful for simply being alive if proper methods existed to prevent these types of occurrences. But I remain
hopeful, and I insist on converting my experience into actions that can possibly alter the future of my fellow
classmates, my community, and my nation. Not only do I want to promote change in society, but I also want to
cultivate respect and tolerance. It is never useless to express how you feel nor to take a moment to thank those who
have helped you grow and live happily.