"Mom! MOM!"
"Henry!" I called back frantically.
I was pushing my way through a hallway full of young children attempting to surge in the opposite direction. Several more gunshots sounded and I flinched instinctively. I glanced down the hallway again and wasn't able to catch sight of my son.
"Kids! Kids, in here!" I said, grabbing as many little arms as I could and herding them into a nearby classroom.
More gunshots. The floor was already littered with bodies. I couldn't tell how many were still alive. I stifled a sob as I recognized two of my third graders lying in pools of their own blood. I rushed the kids to the other end of the classroom and into the tiny bathroom set up for the students.
"I'm going to be right back," I promised. "Be as quiet as you can and don't open this door, no matter what. Okay?"
I gazed at their wide eyes and fearful expressions as I shut the door and scooted desks to block it. After making it as secure as possible, I ran for the hallways. There were a few stragglers still screaming and running for something.
I ran back down the hallway to where I had seen Henry last. That's when I saw him.
"Oh no… Not my baby," I moaned.
I slid to my knees at his motionless side and took in the sight of his wide, staring eyes and pale, lifeless skin. There was a small bullethole in his forehead. I prayed that it had been a quick and painless death.
"Henry, no," I cried.
My fingers became soaked with blood as I cradled his limp head in my arms and kissed his hair softly.
"I'm so sorry. I should've protected you," I whispered. "It was my job to keep you safe."
I heard a noise to my left and barely glanced up before he fired. The bullet went clean through my shoulder. The burning almost caused me to pass out as I lay on the floor next to my dead son. But all I could think about was how much I hated the idiot who had killed Henry. I was on my feet before I even realized what was happening. As I ran down the hallway, the gunman fired twice and missed. I caught him in a flying tackle and knocked him backwards onto the floor. His head hit the tile hard.
I fell unconscious before I could get up.