A/N: Sorry for the delay, but you know high school. I hope yall like this chapter....thanks for those heavenly souls who reviewed my story; you are awesome!

Donna Lynn

Lori513

Ranger webb

Serene's magick

Meghan

-Chapter 4-

At Edgar Jones, the hostages were lying on the floor, secretly praying that they were going to make it out alive.

Outside, negotiations weren't going well. The gunmen had stated that they wanted 2 million dollars within 2 hours, or they were going to start shooting people. Around 200 people total had managed to escape the school, but there were still at least 160 or so people inside the building.

The police negotiator had tried to get the men to release some students, but the gunmen had refused. In the SWAT truck, the team was trying to come up with a way into the building.

"Now," said Hondo, "There is a ventilation shaft up on the roof. I want you, Boxer, and Deke to go down first and then I want you and Sanchez to follow, Street. Alright?"

"Yes, sir." They all mumbled.

"Good, I will provide surveillance from the school security cameras from the truck. We want to go in quietly, take out the guys, and get the hostages out. We have to be silent; we don't want the men to shoot people."

"Yes, sir." Jim said

"Go save some people!"

The four SWAT officers quickly made their way to the back of the school and climbed up the rusty fire escape that was built when the school was built. The escape had been built and never used, so it was rusted and out of shape. However, the four made their way up to the roof and ran over to the ventilation shaft.

Deke and Boxer went down first, and Street and Sanchez followed. They reentered on the sixth floor, one floor above where the hostages were being held. The plan was for Deke and Boxer to make their way down the fire escape staircase; the police had deactivated the alarm, and once they had cleared the hallway, Sanchez and Street would go down the main staircase.

They were to neutralize all suspects on sight; there were five altogether. Deke and Boxer made their way down the staircase and reemerged on the fifth floor. They quickly spotted two suspects and neutralized them with their silenced handguns.

They then cleared the hall and gave them the signal for Street and Sanchez to come down the staircase. Street and Sanchez came down the hall and Street saw one suspect creeping up behind Deke and he quickly shot him.

"Whoa. Thanks Street."

"Don't mention it, there are still two suspects. Let's go."

The four scanned the floor and managed to find the other two suspects. They quickly took them out; killing the last gunmen.

"Alright, everybody out!! Let's go, people, it's all clear." Street yelled.

He scanned the massive crowd looking for Megan and found her running alongside a boy. He was holding her around her shoulders and they were making their way out of the building.

"Megan!!" Jim yelled.

Megan saw Jim and said something to the boy next to her and ran over to her brother.

"Jim!!" She said as she ran into his arms. "I was so scared, Jim."

"I know, it's okay, let's go outside."

Jim and Megan made their way out of the school where dozens of paramedics were waiting to check all the students and faculty to make sure they were all okay.

"I'll be right back, Megan. These men are going to take care of you."

"Okay."

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School was closed for the remainder of the week, pending an investigation. Jim stayed home with Megan for two days, but returned to work eventually. Megan called her mom one day to see how she was doing.

"Hey, mom!" Megan said

"Huh? Oh, hey Megan." Megan's mom said very slowly and shakily.

"How are you doing?"

"Oh, not too well sweetie. Don't worry, sweetie, I'll be alright. Listen, I really can't talk right now, uh, I will have to talk to you later."

"...Oh. Ok, mom. I love you."

"Bye..." with that, Megan's mother hung up the phone.

Megan set the phone down and just sat on the couch. She didn't know what to do; a normal person would start to cry at this point; but Megan was not a normal person. Megan had been taught her entire life by her father that crying was a weakness; your enemies would use that against you.

So Megan just sat there, wondering what she should do next. Jim came home that evening and Megan still was just sitting there.

"Megan? Are you alright?"

Megan had started to tremble, she was all pent up inside; she wanted to cry, she wanted to let it all out. She didn't know what to do.

"Megan. What is wrong?"

Jim took a seat next to Megan and wrapped his arm around her.

"Sweetie?"

"I called mom today. She is using again; I can tell. Her voice always gets really quiet and timid when she is on drugs. I don't know what to do. I just want to cry, I just want to let it all out."

"Then why don't you? I mean, everyone cries."

"Jim, I haven't cried in so long. The last time I cried, dad cuffed me. He told me that I wasn't supposed to cry. I haven't cried since."

"What happened?"

"I was nine, and I wanted to go to this birthday party, but dad wouldn't let me. I started to cry, and he hit me."

"Megan, I am so sorry. It's okay to cry, you know. It really is okay."

With the permission granted, Megan unleashed all her pain and suffering from previous years and let it all out. She cried on Jim's shoulder for the longest time.

When she was finished, she had realized that an invisible heavy burden had been lifted from her young shoulders. She had released all the pain and sadness from her soul and was being comforted by her brother.

She didn't know what would happen with her parents, but she knew that she was going to be alright with her brother; for now.

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Two weeks passed after the gunmen incident. School had gotten back to normal for Megan, things were panning out. She saw Pete everyday and sat with him everyday at lunch.

Jason was still around, and he kept his eye on Megan. He knew that she wasn't any easy piece, but he would get what he wanted; he always did.

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter, I know that this is a relatively short chapter, but I wanted to post something so yall wouldn't think that I had forgotten about you.

I love you all and I hope you will understand. Look for another update this weekend

Peace