When the first gunshot fired, everyone couldn't believe it at first. Everyone was thinking, that wasn't a gunshot was it? Surely not here? That happened in other places, not here! Then the second shot sounded and everyone suddenly realized that this was happening here. But no one moved until a piercing scream cut through the air and the sound of running and panic and shouts could be heard from outside.

That caused Mr. Schuester and Coach Beiste to burst into action. Coach turned off the lights and locked the doors while Mr. Schue got everyone settled and taking out their phones to let people outside know what was happening.

The fear lay heavy in the air, a more useful deterrent to noise than any warnings Mr. Schue or Coach could make. Although the muffled sobs of Marley, Kitty and Unique would sometimes break through, a sound of comfort from one of their friends would settle them quickly.

"Tina isn't here," Artie suddenly whispered, and all noises stopped as everyone started to look around and take stock.

"Sugar isn't here either," Ryder whispered back.

"She said she was going to call her dad before coming here," Kitty replied. Their voices almost overlapping each other trying to get comfort in the knowledge that maybe their friends are safe.

"Tina just texted me back!" Artie said in an excited whisper. "She's outside with Sugar!"

"Guys, keep it down," Mr. Schue told them and the room got quiet. But even he couldn't help but worry about his kids. "And the others?" he quietly asked.

"Joe didn't come in to school today," Jake quickly supplied. "He called in sick."

"Where's Blaine?" Sam's voice sounded loud. He didn't whisper, it was a demand.

"Sam, keep it down," Mr. Schue admonished.

"Blaine said Coach Sylvester called for him so he was going to see her before glee," Brittany replied.

Sam quickly scurried across the floor towards the door. Everyone was shocked at how fast Sam moved and they didn't realize what he was going to do until it was too late.

"Sam! Get back here!" Coach Beiste whispered harshly as Mr. Schue scrambled to get to the other door on the other side of the room but Sam had opened it and was through it and was gone.

Brittany made a sound like a low moan as both Ryder and and Unique grabbed her to keep her from following Sam.

"Keep her there! No one move!" Mr. Schue directed everybody with a voice that brooked no opposition. Brittany just collapsed into Ryder's arms, her sobs muffled by his chest as Unique held her tight on her other side.

Mr. Schue was torn. One of his kids just ran out into danger but he had a roomfull of kids that needed him, too. He didn't know where his responsibility lay.

"Go Will, I'll watch over the others," Coach quickly said.

"Thanks Shannon," Mr. Schue replied gratefully and quietly opened the door. He looked at Jake, who was closest, and said. "Lock it behind me. Don't open it for anything. If I come back here at all I'll go through the other way, do you understand?"

Jake nodded and Mr. Schue slipped out.

oOo

Sam wasn't thinking. All he knew was that his best friend was out there where he could be in danger. The fact he chose the door that Mr. Schue or Coach weren't at was completely accidental as that was the door closest to the way to Coach Sylvester's office. If they said that Blaine was in the bathroom he would have found himself barreling through both his teachers to get to the other door as that was the one closest to the toilets.

But Sam wasn't actively thinking that. He just had one thought, Get to Blaine. Everything else was just happening in the background. He had tunnel vision, anything that didn't help him get to Blaine he discarded as unimportant or he simply ignored it. Stealth would slow him down so he ran full tilt down the middle of the corridor. He was going to Coach Sue's office and he took the most direct route he knew.

He rounded a corner and saw two men in black standing with guns. They weren't looking at him so he ignored them. They were looking at a group of people in front of the door to Coach Sylvester's office. The people kneeling looked like paramedics.

Sam unconsciously thought it was funny that Coach Sylvester had an unusual print on her track suit as she generally chose a one-color scheme. She seemed to be wearing red gloves that matched the color on her suit.

Then he saw a leg sticking out past the back of one of the paramedics. A leg that was covered in red athletic pants. Red, Cheerio athletic pants. The kind worn by the male Cheerios. Like Blaine.

"Blaine?" Sam didn't realize he spoke out loud. He didn't register Becky wrapped in a blanket held by a female officer sobbing and wailing on the side. He saw but didn't react to Coach Sylvester allowing herself to be pushed to the side, her body shaking. He didn't hear the "All clear!" that was echoed all across the school. He didn't feel the three SWAT officers trying to hold him back as he surged forward. All he could think about was Blaine. Get to Blaine.That was Blaine, on the floor. On the red floor. The floor was red.

Blood. That was blood. Blaine's blood.

Sam lost it.