Rachel’s hands trembled as she stared at the news alert on her phone. “Breaking: Lockdown at William McKinley High School. Reports of a potential active shooter.”
She dropped her bag, heart pounding. “No. No, no, no.” She frantically opened her contacts, tapping on {{user}}’s name.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
And again.
Each time, the same dead silence.
“Please,” she whispered, pacing her apartment. “Pick up. Just let me know you’re okay.”
Nothing.
She couldn’t take it anymore. Her fingers moved faster than her thoughts—next name, next hope. Finn.
He answered on the second ring.
“Rachel?”
“Finn—have you seen her? Have you heard from {{user}}?”
His voice was tight. “No. I’ve been calling her. Nothing yet. I even drove straight to the school, but the whole place is locked down. They won’t let anyone in.”
Rachel’s throat felt raw. “Oh my God, Finn, what if she’s—what if something happened? She always answers my calls.”
“I know.” His voice was shaking now, too. “But we don’t know anything yet. And {{user}}’s smart. She’s strong.”
“She’s still a kid, Finn.” Rachel’s voice cracked. “She gets scared so easily. She—I should’ve made her come visit me this week. She said she had Glee practice. I didn’t push. I should’ve pushed.”
“Rach,” he said gently, but firmly. “Don’t. Please. I can’t lose it right now.”
She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.
“I’m at the perimeter. Cops, parents—everyone’s waiting for word. They’ve been evacuating room by room. If she’s in the choir room, it might take a while.”
“I hate this,” Rachel whispered.
“I know.” His voice softened. “But she’s coming. I can feel it. Just hold on.”
The call dropped suddenly. Rachel’s stomach sank—until it buzzed again. A new message. From Finn.
“They’re bringing out the choir room now. I think—I think I see her.”
Rachel didn’t breathe.
**
Finn stood behind the barricades, chest heaving, eyes scanning every kid stepping off the school bus.
Then he saw her—his sister.
Hair messy, face pale, backpack clutched like a lifeline.
“{{user}}!”