Suddenly there was more shooting.
Ellen dropped down to the floor, still peering out. Down low was what she’d been taught about hiding children during a live shooter attack and she was small enough it should work for her, too. She couldn’t see anything anymore, so she closed her eyes so that she could listen better.
“You hit?” Swede asked.
“No,” Hank said. “I hit one of them.” She’d know his voice anywhere. As the leader of the Brotherhood Protectors, he sometimes came by the center to check on their classes or to help. He had a commanding voice and presence.
“How many?” Barrett asked.
She also recognized the voice of their defensive instructor, Barrett, talking to Hank.
“I saw two,” Hank said. “I’ll get the women into the kitchen.”
Ellen prepared herself to move where Hank directed them. She was glad he’d taken charge and that she didn’t have to. Though she would have if she’d had to, and she’d stay ready to help Hank, if he needed her help.
He moved down the hallway toward the women’s rooms and was reloading his gun as he moved. First, he went to the back of the building, and then, went door to door, to get each woman out. “Stay behind me,” he said.
The women came out and got in line behind him, as he directed.
Cecelia’s door opened and she came out. “What’s happening?” she said. She reached for his forearm and her hand closed around it.
Ellen wondered how he would help Cecelia, who was blind, and if he or Cecelia needed her help.
Hank put his hand on Cecelia’s, reassuring. “I’m taking you to a safer room,” he said. He pulled her out of the doorway into the hall. “Put your hand on my back.”
“What’s happening?” Leah asked as she stepped out into the hall, not waiting in her room as instructed. Concern showed on her face and likely that had motivated her actions, but Ellen was surprised Leah hadn’t followed Hank’s directions given how much she stressed to the women that all the women in the center needed to follow the rules.
“We’ve got a couple fire bugs,” Hank said. He said nothing about live shooters.
The women gasped.
Ellen knew nothing about any fire bugs, but she knew she’d heard gunshots. She hadn’t dreamed them, they’d awakened her.
So, there are two kinds of threats. Bullets and fire. What else does he know that he isn’t telling us?
She wished she knew exactly what was going on.
“It’s all right,” Hank said. “Don’t panic. Everyone stay close.” He peered around the doorframe but didn’t say anything. “Swede,” he spoke into his mouthpiece.
No answer.
“Gunny,” he spoke again.
Nothing.
“Barrett,” he spoke a third.
Again nothing. None of his men responded.
She wondered why.
“Get everyone to the kitchen and down on the floor,” he said to Leah.
Leah stood counting heads. “Two more,” she said and pointed to the last two doors. “Tamara and Chyna.” She knocked on one door and he knocked on another.
“Follow Leah,” he said to Tamara.
“Come with me,” Leah said to Chyna. Over her shoulder, to him, she said, “That’s everyone.”
