AN: This is a repost, after a review I got, I decided it would be best to change names and locations...sorry for the confustion!

When I awoke that Tuesday morning in April I knew something wasn’t right, in fact, I knew something was terribly wrong. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I knew it was nothing of the good. Slowly, but surely I got myself ready for school that day, as I tried to ignore the sinking pain in my stomach, it only got stronger and stronger. Finally, I gave into the feeling and told my mother I didn’t feel well, reluctantly she gave in, and let me stay home from school that day.

I basically just lazed around the house, I didn’t really have anything to do, but every time the thought of going to school entered my brain, that feeling came back again. I was sure it was a sign from…somewhere, it was telling me not to go, that something was going to happen. God, if only I’d known…

Sighing, I decided to turn on the television; I figured it would take my mind off of the gut wrenching pain I felt. When the fuzz cleared and the picture came into view, I knew I was deadly wrong about it fixing my feeling. I called for my mother as we watched police cars scurry about on the screen, we watched people running around outside as well.

“We’re live at Dakota High School where we’ve just heard several loud gun shots, police aren’t releasing any information right now, but we can tell this isn’t going to be just another day at Dakota High School, stay tuned in for more information!” the reporter quickly spat into the microphone.

When they cut from the air I could feel my blood begin to run cold. A shooting…at Dakota…my high school? It just couldn’t be! This was Dakota, nothing ever happened in Dakota! I stood up, but my knees quickly gave out and I collapsed on the couch a huge sob tearing from my throat. My mother enveloped me in her arms and I wept, and continued to watch the news.

My mother gasped when the reporter came back on the air. I looked up and my stomach sank to my feet, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Maxwell Richards and Rylan Lewis’ pictures were grinning back at us…they were the ones that had the school held up…they were the ones taking innocent lives. I screamed and fell against my mother again as they explained what was going on.

Rylan and Maxwell walked into the school, hunting for blood, and they weren’t going to stop until they were swimming in it. As I stared at the screen and wept, a memory struck me from the back of the head…as it all became clear; it felt like a nice sized brick just struck me across my head. I would never forget the next few moments of my life…

I felt like dying once the memory washed over me and played over, and over in my head…

“Maxwell, hush, if anyone hears you we could be ruined!” Rylan had scolded as I halted, just about to turn the corner they were around.

“I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t thinking,” he sheepishly replied.

“Well if you don’t think it could end up costing us everything!” he’d replied in a harsh whisper.

I was glued to my spot, I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t seem to draw myself away from their conversation. I could have merely turned around and gone down the opposite hallway…but no…I had to stay, there was something there. I wasn’t sure what…but it was something.

“I’m sorry okay? Just give me the damn paper!” Maxwell crossly snapped.

I heard Rylan hesitate and finally I heard the rustling of paper, the note had been exchanged. When I heard them part with each other I took this opportunity to round the corner, acting like I’d just got there. Rylan was walking down the hall and Maxwell was standing there, he sent me a quick smile and I returned it, purposely running into him.

“Oh gosh! I’m sorry Maxwell!” I said helping him up.

He began to get squirmy at this point. “Um, its fine…look I gotta go.”

And with that he was gone, I looked down at where he’d been standing and saw the folded up note on the ground. Smiling to myself I picked it up and unfolded it, I was surprised at how nosy I was…it was unlike me, but something told me to read it. I looked around making sure no one was there, and then I read…

“Maxwell, the time is drawing neigh! Soon all will be well again…and everyone will pay for everything they’ve done. These wretched people will perish, and all will be just fine.”

That was all it’d said, I wrinkled my brow and read it again, I read it several more times before shaking my head. I tore the note up and threw it in the garbage can, never really giving it a second thought.

That had been a week ago, a week ago I’d gotten that note, and a week ago I’d been given a sign from God himself…he was giving me a chance to save all those people. I could have helped them all and I’d blown it. My head snapped back up to look at the television as the reporter came back on.

“Ladies and gentleman…it’s all over,” she started with a heavy sigh. “Maxwell Richards and Rylan Lewis are pronounced dead, they both shot themselves in the head…after harshly murdering twelve fellow students, a teacher, and injuring many others.”

I fell to the ground digging my fingers into the carpet, I grabbed so hard at it my knuckles were turning white. My mother kneeled next to me and stroked my hair. “Angel, it’s not your fault there was--”

I stopped her with a harsh sob and nodded. “Mama, it was my fault! There was something I could have done!” I sobbed harder slamming my fist into the floor.

My mother just stared at me, looking at me as if I’d finally snapped. But she’d have snapped if she’d killed thirteen people…and caused many others to suffer forever. She’ll never know what I have to live with, no one ever will. I could have done something that fateful day in April, I could have saved them…I could have stopped it all. But no…I second guessed it, and shrugged my shoulders.

Rylan and Maxwell aren’t the murderers of Dakota High School…I am.

--

Kasey Renae