In one room:
Pen in hand,
scribbles on paper.
“Be sure to take notes,
you’ll need this later.”
Doodles in the corner,
boredom all over.
Yawn.
“When will this be over?”

Twenty feet away
here they come
no one knows
what will be done.

In another room:
Standing before their peers,
they present a project that felt like took years.
Speaking each of their turns,
the heat of the projector above burns.
Fingers twiddle.
Weary stares.
Lights turn on.
Groans are heard,
but so is,
“Who wants to present third?”

Outside the classroom
Someone stands.
Alone and scared,
But ready to make demands.

At the end of the hall:
“This is I, Hamlet the Dane!”
Reads a voice of queer remains.
Laughs and giggles.
Shh!
Shhhh!
“Please do continue.”
Glancing around the room,
the reader commences-

BANG!

BANG!

Doors fly open
Screams are heard
Feet start running
“EVERYONE DUCK!”

BANG!

Moments later,
doors are shut.
Bodies are huddled,
hidden in closets,
underneath tables.
Eyes are wide.
Mouths are silent.
Strangers hold hands.
Bodies quiver.
Tears stream down from every figure.

A text is sent:
“Call 911.
There’s a school shooter.
Mom I love you,
but I don’t think I’ll make it home for dinner.”