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“TIME GOES SO SLOWWW..” Zip loudly complained, slamming her head onto the desk as her companions sat opposite side of her. Edward, on her left, chuckled. Oliver, on her right, rolled his eyes and sat her up by her cloak.
“get over it, crybaby.” he teased playfully, making Zip pout and groan. she released herself from Oliver's grasp, getting out her seat and running behind Edward to seek protection, but playfully. realistically, she could very much defend herself.
“Eddie!! he's being meann...” she whined playfully, Edward chuckling and putting on a low and angry tone and expression to play along.
“you bully..!” he let out, bursting into coughs from how much he strained his voice. Zip laughed loudly and Oliver snickered. that's when Miss Bloomie called to the trio, tapping her boxcutter arm on her desk.
“you three, quiet it down! Zip, sit down please..” she couldn't help but smile at the childish behaviour, Zip giggling as she nodded and sat back down.
it was just a regular class; nothing new.
“god, this is kind of boring..” Zip spoke, earning offense from Edward.
until..
“how dare you!? science is a really interesting subject, which teaches–”
BANG.
the class fell into a dead silence. it was deafening, due to how much commotion there was before. a few began thinking it was just them.
“uh..” Robby called out skeptically, all eyes going to him and his table, made up of a stunned looking Riley, a worried looking Ruby and an unreadable Skell.
“.. what the hell was tha–?”
BANG. BANG.
the silence of the class returned.
yep, it was confirmed.
Miss Bloomie wasted no time, locking the door and turning off the light and keeping her voice down.
“everyone, corner of the room, there. now. stay behind the desks.”
she pointed her boxcutter to the corner of the room out of the view of the door, a few students making their ways there quietly and quickly, while others sat there stunned. she made herself clear to those who did:
“go. now.”
and they did.
the students positioned themselves close together, some taking an opportunity to turn off their phones while Miss Bloomie positioned herself by the door, out of sight, ready to attack if someone came in.
Oliver insisted to sit in front of Zip and Edward. did he think he was a saviour or something?
that's what Zip thought.
in reality, she was just trying to distract herself.
she was terrified.
she stayed close to Edward, who put an arm around her to stay close to her as well.
everyone remained silent, Claire, Bubble and Engel staying together quite securely ( same for Oliver, Zip and Edward ), and the others waiting for something to happen. a few got bored pretty quickly, that few being Riley and Robby, who almost began fighting again if it wasn't for Ruby to snap them back to reality.
Zip remained silent too, letting it consume her, until a thought flashed her mind..
Chip.
your brother's in Miss Sasha's class.
“fuck.” she whispered, making Edward turn his head to her. “my brother..”
he seemed to pick up on the issue, rubbing her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
“he's with Miss Sasha.” he spoke softly, keeping his voice below a whisper.
“i'm sure he'll be okay.”
• • •
“okay, kids!” Miss Sasha called out, the kindergarteners sat in a clump on the carpet.
“who's ready for–”
BANG.
Miss Sasha froze, her eyes darting to the door. the kids seemed confused, one of them ( which looked like a sheep ) covered her ears, ready to scream. however, one which resembled a black rabbit held her close silently to stop her.
...
BANG. BANG.
this was enough to confirm Miss Sasha's suspicions; there was an active shooter.
“okay, kids..” she spoke lowly, going to quickly turn off the lights.
“lets go over there, okay?” she pointed to a corner of the room, out of the way of the door, and ushered all the kids to that corner.
little did she know, a child had escaped her sight.
Chip.
the young 5 year old slipped past her, while she was shooing others to the corner as calmly as she could. he heard the bangs. instead of being scared, he was curious. he wanted to know what it was; be adventurous!
just like his sister..
he silently opened the door the best he could, since it was already a little open, before slipping out and closing it the best he could behind him.
the halls were empty, that regular dark look coming to it; one of colour. it wasn't like that this morning. he didn't mind it though, beginning to step slowly through the halls, as far as his little legs would carry him.
he got a dozen steps away from the classroom when a barely audible click was heard.
Miss Sasha's class had been locked.
he couldn't turn back now.
not minding the danger, he went on, his steps a bit faster.
he went on, seeming a bit lost after a good amount of time of walking. he got to a point where he just wanted his sister. where was she? he wanted her to hug him. he missed her.
he went to turn around, before someone scooped him up from under his arms, making him face them; it was a mostly black figure, the eyes being as white as snow.
“won't you look at that..” they spoke lowly, inspecting an unnerved Chip. they chuckled, throwing the poor child onto the ground roughly. Chip yelped and let out a whimper of pain, tears in his eyes as he sat up and refocused his eyes onto his attacker.
“kids like you shouldn't be here..”
Chip seemed confused, but more pained in his expression, before he saw his attacker kneel down and then pin him to the ground by holding his small waist in one hand. Chip squirmed, whining quietly, but wasn't able to struggle free.
“hey..” the attacker spoke, stroking Chip's hair softly before pulling out a pocket knife and flipping it open right in front of Chip's face.
“im not done with you yet..” their voice taunted, letting out a laugh as Chip's eyes widened with fear and anxiety. the little boy struggled once again, but the attacker's response was different this time:
the intruder had moved to pin Chip's body down with their knee, making Chip whine in pain and protest, and lining up the blade with the skin on his little arm, his right arm. he went silent, his tears already flowing from the pressure on his chest.
Chip could feel the cold metal on his arm; he didn't like it. it scared him. he didn't know who this was but they were hurting him badly.
“i-i want my sissy..” he mumbled out with a whimper of pain, his voice small and shaky as his tears flowed.
the attacker looked over at him, their eyebrows raising with amusement underneath that mask. they chuckled, looking at Chip with a false soft expression.
“oh, i'll find your sissy..” they spoke slowly, Chip looking up with a bit of hope, before he let out a shriek of pain and a sob.
the attacker had sliced into his arm with the pocket knife, snickering as they watched the blood pour out of the wound they inflicted.
“when i'm done with you.”
Chip had reverted back to his pathetic, crying, state, the pain in his arm and chest already being too much to handle right now.
just as that was felt, he suddenly felt another cut, making him squeal in pain and squirm in place. the attacker had sliced the same place they cut before, blood flooding out of the deep cut inflicted on the 5 year old.
the intruder straightened their back to look at their handwork on Chip, watching the ink pour out of the wound and onto the floor. they then redirected their gaze to Chip's face; he was crying in pain and fear, whimpering and weakly continuing to squirm. it made them smirk.
“children are so beautiful when they bleed and cry..” they softly spoke, lining up the blade with Chip's arm again, right next to the last one. this was enough to heighten Chip's panic. however, they did not slice it.
no, it was even worse.
they sawed into Chip's arm with the pocket knife, making quick forward and backward motions to cut deep into his arm. Chip squeaked and cried out in pain, squirming and kicking his little legs. the pain made him restless.
“n-no more, no more!!..” the kindergartener begged, tapping his foot on the ground as he sobbed. unfortunately, for the boy, the intruder seemed to be fueled by the begging. being quite deep into Chip's arm, due to him being little, they wormed the blade right into the deep cut and then quickly sliced. ink sprayed on the floor a bit as Chip let out a scream and multiple sobs. his small body quivered under the attacker's knee, tears flowing down his cheeks as the intruder only smirked.
“aren't you cute?” they spoke lowly, moving the blade to Chip's other arm. Chip squirmed, his voice shaky and barely audible. his voice was hoarse from the way his body was weakening and his wounds overwhelmed his nerves with pain.
“no more.. no more, no more, no more..” he sobbed out, squirming a bit once more. he was getting weaker, his body betraying him. the attacker faked an expression of sympathy, taking their free hand and stroking Chip's hair.
“shh.. shh, young one..” they snickered after they said that, taking in the sensation of Chip's hair and the state he was in; shaking, sobbing, begging and bleeding out underneath them. they couldn't help but feel pleased, yet slight pity that he got so weak so quickly.
“good.. shh..” they mumbled once more, before moving their free hand to Chip's small shoulder and pushing him into the floor painfully. Chip let out a yelp, and then another pained scream as his left arm was sliced into twice, the ink squirting onto the floor and wasting no time to pour out of him. he trembled more violently now, his feet tapping restlessly as his small body betrayed him for the overwhelming pain overtaking him.
“s-sissy..” he whined out, sobs interrupting him.
“i-i want my sissy.. i want my sissy..”
his voice was weak, pained, and hoarse from the sobs and the screams. the attacker smirked, stabbing the tip of the blade into Chip, from the wound, and slicing down his arm to his wrist. Chip only could squirm and sob loudly as he shook and begged for his sister, the new, lengthy, cut on his arm leaking with ink. it wasnt as bad as his other cuts though.
the attacker chuckled at Chip's pathetic state, thinking him to be like some sort of distressed deer that had been shot in the leg, bleeding out helplessly onto the grass.
they let go of Chip, scooting back so they weren't pinning him by his chest anymore, taking a look at him.
Chip was too weak to get up, a dull pain overcoming his chest as his arms radiated with pain and a newfound numb feeling from the amount of pain throbbing through them. he trembled and sobbed where he lay, his feet still kicking and tapping restlessly at the pain. his ink kept pouring out, leaving the boy a bit dazed, his vision blurred with his tears too. he breathed heavily and unsteadily, occasional whimpers leaving him. the attacker snickered, seemingly pleased.
“how lovely..” they whispered, Chip letting out a sob at the pain and his slight daze. the attacker approached again, Chip making an effort to get up that time, trembling and sobbing louder as he scooted back closer to the lockers. he curled up, covering himself in his own blood and tears.
“no, no, no, no!!.. i-i don't like.. no more, no more.”
his tone was desperate and begging. he wanted to be left alone. he wanted to get away from this person who felt joy through his pain. he wanted.. his sister.
he needed his sister.
the attacker approached, kneeling and pressing Chip up against the locker and lifting one of his little legs.
“sissyy.. sissy..”
he weakly, and desperately, called out, sobbing uncontrollably at that point. he felt the cold metal being gently traced across his leg, shivers going up his spine as he trembled and cried. his tears kept flowing, not ceasing as his attacker teased him.
“no.. no more.. sissy..”
his arms kept forming puddles onto the floor, the pain being overwhelmed for him. he felt his consciousness slowly leave him, before jolting awake to let out a loud scream; louder than before:
the attacker had properly stabbed the blade through Chip's leg. All the way.
Chip began to hyperventilate in a panic, watching the handle stick out of him and the pain radiating through his leg. he loudly sobbed, kicking his free leg as his right one leaked with blood. the pain was becoming too much to bear, and he had to pass out from blood loss eventually, right?
yet, he wasn't..
he let out a yelp as his attacker pulled the blade out of him, breathing heavily and whimpering at the sharp pain and the throbbing.
it was all too much.
he wanted to go home.
he wanted his sister.
“sissy..” he weakly choked out, before he quickly felt the knife's tip poking at his abdomen. he froze, the tears flowing as he kept staring at it. he was quick to try beg.
“p-please.. no, please no–”
his speech was interrupted by his own, loud, lengthy, scream of pain, the knife stabbing through his abdomen and already eagerly squirting out ink. the attacker stabbed another few times, Chip's body trembling with the intense take over of pain and the shock of the situation.
they finally pulled the knife out, Chip letting out a yelp and some whimpers at the pain and the new-found throbbing in his abdomen. his tears flowed freely and silently, struggling to breathe due to the stab would.
“sissy...
sissy..”
...
“sissy..?” he spoke out weakly, noticing the gun pointed at his forehead. he shook in fear; he was terrified. he didn't want to die. yet, there wasn't much he could do; look at him. he was so weak and defenseless.
his half-lidded eyes, overflowed with tears, stared at the figure of the gun, speaking out once more.
“i want my sissy.. you prom-.. prom..ised..” he spoke, like he felt betrayed by the person who brought him harm. the attacker sighed, pressing the barrel of the gun against Chip's forehead suddenly.
“i said when im done with you. i'm not done, kiddo.” they concluded, making Chip whine quietly and weakly. they smirked, putting their index on the trigger.
“any last words, kid?”
Chip looked up weakly at his soon-to-be killer, bleeding out from his arms, leg and abdomen rapidly, sniffling and stifling a sob before speaking softly, barely above a whisper.
“i-i love you sissy..”
...
BANG.
...
and, just like that, an innocent life lost.
• • •
Zip shook in Edward's arms, having a silent breakdown as she sobbed into his shoulder. she wanted her brother. she wanted her brother so bad.
luckily for her, the boy understood her attachment to her brother and simply rubbed circles on her back. Oliver kept his gaze on the door, before an announcement was heard on the PA;
“hello students, there have been 2 active shooters spotted on campus today. however, both have left and you are safe to leave your hiding places.”
some students sighed with relief, a few hugging each other. Zip's tears did not hinder, Edward whispering reassurances that it'll be okay, he'll be okay.
“please get help to those who need it. 911 has been called and is on the way. do not leave your classrooms.”
Zip had been sitting there, sobbing, for a good amount of the lockdown. she even had Engel and Claire scoot over to check up on her, and she was sure Claire hated her guts.
it took a few minutes after the announcement, but Zip did calm down, Edward simply talking to her gently and keeping her calm as others wondered around the class, grabbing some stuff, hugging other's, chasing others around ( Robby and Riley, who could've guessed )..
“okay, class.. the police and ambulance will be here soon, so don't leave until i say so.”
Zip sighed shakily, Edward taking her hand into his gently.
“hey..” he softly spoke, ruffling her hair playfully. she couldn't help but give a smile at his next sentence:
“it'll be okay..”
thats when a knock was heard on the classroom door. Miss Bloomie unlocked it, to reveal a distressed Miss Sasha.
“oh, Sasha, hello. are you and your class alright?” Miss Bloomie asked with concern, placing her hand on her shoulder. Miss Sasha nodded, and then shook her head.
“yes and no..” she exhaled shakily, seeming like she was gonna burst into tears.
“i-it's Chip. i can't find him Bloomie..!”
Bloomie's eyes widened with concern, her eyes going to a certain student. however, said student had already overheard and reacted with a wide-eyed expression of pure extreme fear.
“Zip–” Miss Bloomie started, but Zip left Edward and ran through the door, pushing past Miss Sasha.
“Zip!!” Miss Sasha called out, but her voice was blocked out by Zip's.
“Chip!” she ran through the halls desperately, determined to find her brother. she kept running, the voices of others being nothing but vivid muffles. she had to find him. she had to.
she turned corner after corner, and was beginning to lose hope, tearing up, until she noticed a small figure that she missed by a few steps. she froze in her tracks, looking over at what she missed...
• • •
“WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?” a second party yelled at their companion, who was wiping their blood-soaked gun with a cloth.
“I dunno..” they responded, being an ass on purpose as they leaned over to the second shooter.
“what did i do?”
the second attacker seemed shocked and somewhat angry. how could their companion target and kill a 5 YEAR OLD CHILD in such a cruel way!? this wasn't what they agreed to do.
“you.. you KILLED A CHILD!” they yelled once more, looking down at the messed up corpse for no more than a second. the sight of the poor child made their stomach churn.
“you.. you're fucking disgusting.”
“oh, don't be such a sensitive bitch.”
the counter statement threw the second shooter off, realising what they had in their hand; a gun. they sighed, looking away from their weapon and to the floor.
the silence between them was somewhat threatening, the first shooter chirping up.
“let's go before we get caught.”
hesitantly, the second party nodded, them quickly leaving the corpse before them:..
• • •
there lay Chip's corpse, against the locker. his small, limp body, was covered in dried blood and ink, puddles of it in the area. ink leaked out of scarily deep cuts in his arms, a stab wound in his leg and multiple stabs in his abdomen. he still bled out badly at his abdomen. where he bled worse was the hole in his head, ink dripping down his face and into his lap. fragments of his paper brains and ink splattered the lockers behind him, leaving bloody murder all around his corpse.
his eyes were dull and tearful; no life glimpsed in them, but it was like he was still crying; crying from pain. crying from torture. crying for his sister.
Zip stood there, staring at the corpse in horror. she let out a chuckle, walking towards him and sitting on her knees in front of him. she scooped him up gently from under his arms, holding his bloodied body against hers as she wrapped her arms around him.
“h-hey, buddy.. you startled me there. come on, dont play with me..”
no response.
not even a breath.
not even a heartbeat.
she froze, processing his lack of a response, before tearing up and hugging his corpse close to her.
“fuck, Chip.. d-don't leave me like this..”
she choked a sob, shaking as she sobbed. her tears overflowed and ran freely, hitting the corpse with a tenderness. she rocked him back and forward, like he was still alive, and whispered to him.
“im sorry.. im sorry, im sorry im sorry, im so sorry..”
she let out a sob, not being able to control the sobs and tears that left her now.
“Zip!” a voice called from the end of the hall, footsteps getting closer. she didn't care. she kept cradling the corpse, ignoring all else.
the person finally got close enough to identify:
Miss Circle.
“Zip! there you–..”
her voice trailed off, seeing the corpse in the sobbing teen's arms. her brows furrowed, walking to Zip slowly and sitting beside her. she put the girl in her lap and held her close, running her claws through her hair as she sobbed.
“im sorry..” that's all she could mumble as the distressed highschooler switched to sobbing into the older woman's shoulder, still holding onto the body. she wrapped both arms around her, trying to soothe her sobs, which wouldn't be anytime soon.
nobody knew who was responsible.
who would murder such a sweet boy.
these were things Zip thought during now.
“my Chip.. h-he's gone.. i'll never see him again..” she hiccuped as she sobbed a bit louder, feeling Miss Circle attempt to comfort her.
• • •
the body was taken by the ambulance, and he was confirmed, to his mother, to be dead. she didn't take the news well, holding onto her distressed daughter and sobbing.
all Zip could do was wrap her arms around her and tremble in her arms.
”im sorry for your loss”, those words repeated over and over.
Chip, sweet chip, was gone.
an innocent life lost.
and she just wished she would wake up from this nightmare already.