This is a tribute to the shooting in Conneticut this morning. My heart goes out to all that were affected.
Kim's POV
"I call you up,
When I know,
He's at home."
The opening lines of Best Friend's Brother by Victoria Justice interrupts the quiet in my room. My head snaps up from the world that Suzanne Collins had sucked me into. I stand up from my window-seat-couch-thing (I always forget what it's called) and walk over to my bed, where my ringing phone is laying. 'Hmm, I wonder what she wants,' I think, as I pick it up and tap the little green square on the screen.
"H—"
"Change to Channel 12, now!"
"Well, hello to you, too," I grumble.
Kiara Brewer* sighs in frustration. "Sorry. Hi. Turn on the TV!"
"Ok, ok." I grab the remote and turn on my TV, switching to the channel that he requested.
"Tragedy at the Elementary School. Chris Tyler is here to talk about the terrible massacre that happened four hours ago."
I gasp, sitting down.
"Earlier today, 20 students and 6 adults were brutally murdered at Seaford Elementary School."
"Oh my gosh," I whisper, as the news reporter explained what happened. A 20 year old man had walked into an elementary school and just started shooting wildly.
"Doesn't Hannah** go to that school?" she asks frantically.
"Yeah…" I whisper. I hear her choke back a sob.
"Oh no… Kim, I'm gonna hang up now and talk to Frank."
"Ok."
I hear a small click, and put the phone down. I don't even know how to react to this. As I watch the episode of 2020 that tells what happened, I just sit there in shock.
How could someone do this?
Why would someone do this?
What bothers me the most is that the attack took place at an elementary school. What kind of person would just go and shoot a bunch of kids for no reason at all? It makes me really sad, these kind of things. I just don't know how to react. It's so close to Christmas, too!
Completely innocent people, children. I start praying for the people that were affected, knowing that everything wasn't going to be alright.
An idea runs through my head. Determination runs through me as I grab my jacket and keys.
The next day…
"Why Kimberly, what brought this on?" Mrs. LeQuack, my history teacher, says as she examines the chocolate and card that I had bought for her. I grit my teeth at the use of my full name, but let it slide for now. I hated this woman with a passion, but I'm also very grateful to hear after watching that newscast.
"I just realized how… dedicated you teachers are to keeping us safe and I'm very grateful. So, I got you guys a little thank you."
Yesterday, I had bought a chocolate bar and thank you card for all sixty of the teachers and staff at my school, even the ones I didn't know. I cost me exactly ninety-two dollars and twelve cents, but it was worth it to see the smiles on their faces.
I walked out of school today feeling proud of myself and my teachers.
Credit to Best Friend's Brother goes to Victoria Justice.
*Kiara Brewer: Jack's twin sister. Introduced in my other story, Missing Him. Was kidnapped by Sensei Ty at a young age and wasn't found until eleven years later.
**Hannah Jones: Frank's four (five? Six? I forgot) year old little sister. Introduced in my other story, Missing Him. Kidnapped by Ty a year before Kiara was found. Developed a bond with the older girl during the time they spent together.
The tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut is terrible. Sandy Hook Elementary School will never be the same. Please pray for everyone that was affected. I really don't know what else to say… but please you guys. This is serious.
(12/16/12 Edit: The names of all that died have been released. I found them on news . msn us / names - of - victims - in - connecticut - shooting - released , just without the spaces. Please pray for:
Those killed at the school were 12 girls, eight boys and six female adults. They are listed below by name, date of birth (mm/dd/yy), gender and age.
CHILDREN
Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female (age 6)
Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male (age 7)
Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female (age 6)
Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female (age 7)
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female (age 6)
Dylan Hockley, 03/08/06, male (age 6)
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07/10/06, female (age 6)
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06/08/06, female (age 6)
Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male (age 7)
Jesse Lewis, 06/30/06, male (age 6)
James Mattioli, 03/22/06, male (age 6)
Grace McDonnell, 11/04/05, female (age 7)
Emilie Parker, 05/12/06, female (age 6)
Jack Pinto, 05/06/06, male (age 6)
Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male (age 6)
Caroline Previdi, 09/07/06, female (age 6)
Jessica Rekos, 05/10/06, female (age 6)
Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female (age 6)
Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male (age 6)
Allison N. Wyatt, 07/03/06, female (age 6)
ADULTS
Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female (age 29)
Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female (age 47)
Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female (age 52)
Lauren Russeau, 1982, female (age 29)
Mary Sherlach, 02/11/56, female (age 56)
Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female (age 27)
and their families. Thank you and good day.)