just a few words, I'd say that that day was the birth of it. As I pressed my face harder into Linda's, a loud eruption of gunfire went of and our faces snatched away from each other. Those who walked through the mall, including us began running the opposite way of where we heard the gunshots. I had a hard time absorbing what was going on. I was scared. It couldn't have been my time to die yet. There had to be a way out of this. Those were my thoughts then, while trying to keep my composure in front of Linda. We came to the tiny back entrance, which was cluttered with over three dozen people trying to squeeze out of the mall. I could hear more shots. The sounds were becoming louder. The shooter was getting closer, and the crowd's panic began to grow. I grabbed Linda's hand and cut into a store to the left. We sped into the store bathroom, and hid ourselves in one of the stalls. I started to cry silently, shaking with unimaginable fear. Then I heard it began. The slaughter. I could hear him spraying the crowd with bullets. I could hear the screams of terror, as if the grim reaper was joyfully selecting his ripe souls from the garden of life. I continued to shake fearfully, sweat covering my face. I looked into Linda's eyes, who was holding me tightly. Her beautiful green eyes stared into mine.
“I love you.” she said, her voice cracking with fear.
“I love you...” before I could tearfully finish, a distinct spray of gunfire became louder, as if it were right next to the bathroom door. I went silent, my hyperventilating echoing through the bathroom. The bathroom door swung open and slammed against the wall. I could hear someone coming.
“This was it.” I though. The stall swung open and standing before us was an officer, tucking away his pistol.
“We have two in here!” he shouted.
I wanted to scream and fall into the officer's arms. At this moment, I knew we were safe.
“It's alright ladies. The gunman has been neutralized.” the officer said. “I'm going to get you out of here.” he said extending his hand.
The officer escorted us outside of the mall, where my mother ran to me with a passionate hug. This moment in my life set in place the idea that fear was the main key to spreading a message. It was the key that we needed to spread our message.
Present
“You're fucking joking!” Ice laughed. “You were there when that shit went down!?”
“Me and my girlfriend.” I said.
“Damn. The bathroom was my next stop. Goddamn cops got to you before I could. Nearly shot my fucking hand off.” Ice said.
“I guess there's a reason why I'm alive today.” I said.
“Yeah. To share the same fate with your would-be murderer.” Lucas said.
“Are you some fucking hippie?” asked another inmate. A black man with distinctive tear drops tattooed on his face. “You don't look like a killer.” he said looking at Lucas.
“I'm sorry. I didn't notice there were more of you in here.” Lucas snapped.
“What the fuck did you say?” Aliza snapped.
“Oh you're funny.” the black man smiled. “You want to know what I'm in here for?”
“Do I really have to guess?” Lucas said with a smile.
“My guys on the outskirts call me Barb.” the black man started. “Earned my name by taking down a few officers around town.”
“How many?” I asked.
“Enough to get me here.” Barb replied
“I'm sorry. I'm missing your point.” Lucas said.
“My point is if you keep being a smart-ass, I'm going to put rip your goddamn face off.” Barb threatened.
“Alright can we just ease up on the tension?” Marie asked. “Let's just finish going around so we can know who's who.”
I looked to the far side to see a gloomy looking woman with short black hair.
“You're the last contestant sweetheart.” Marie said looking at the woman.
The strange looking pale woman raised her head, staring out with her wide eyes. “You all are going to burn in hell as you burn out of life.” she