Keep Hope Alive

Author's Notes: Thanks for all reviews, I really love getting them! It makes me want to continue! Chapter title credit- Don't Dream It's Over by Sixpence None The Richer

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that is One Tree Hill or its characters.

Chapter Four: Don't Dream It's Over

Lucas look down at his best friend, who was probably missing Nathan about now. He had to do something, he had to at least try.

He could hear Skillz muttering things to Jimmy, about how they we're friends. Jimmy was starting to get agitated, and that was not what they needed. "Skillz." Lucas said, hoping he would take that as a hint to shut up.

"What dawg!" He asked as he turned to Lucas expectantly. Luke shook his head in defeat. He noticed that Skillz and Bevin were tightly holding hands. He wanted that right now…with Brooke.

Jimmy walked back to the front of the classroom. He slowly moved it in his hands, pointing it at each and every student. "Nobody comes past this line!" He screamed, taping a small line at the head of the classroom.

Lucas turned back to Jimmy. "Jim. Please, just let us go. No one is hurt, and they will understand that. Everything can get better."

Jimmy shook his head quickly. "No. No! It won't get better. This will never get better!" He said, his voice mounting. He sat down at the desk as he rested his head in his hands. He could hear a few phones singing annoying little songs from the desk.

Haley stood up slowly. "Yeah, Jimmy. If you just let us go." She said slowly as she inched forward, towards the front of the classroom.

Lucas grabbed her, urging her to stop, but she released herself from his grasp. Jimmy took a glance up, seeing her nearing the front.

He quickly jumped up and ran around the desk to her. "Nobody leaves!" He screamed. He grabbed her, shaking her a bit. He quickly pointed the gun up, aimed directly at her chest...

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"Thank you, Karen. Thank you, so much." Peyton said into her phone, before flipping it closed.

A few minutes later, Karen arrived at the gym. Peyton quickly ran to her and wrapped her arms around her. She held her a hug. As she let go of the embrace, Peyton looked at Karen fearfully.

"Is Brooke…are they…" Peyton slowly stuttered.

Karen shook her head. "The police seem to think they are inside." Karen stated softly. "Lucas was seen running back inside." Karen explained, almost in a crying voice.

"And…and Haley?"

Karen shook her head, depressingly, once more. Peyton once again pulled Karen into a hug, and eventually exited the gym with her.

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"I…I need to get Lucas." Brooke told Nathan. She didn't think that her statement made any difference whatsoever, but she couldn't sit in silence and fear any longer.

Nathan nodded as he felt Brooke's arms tighten around neck and back. "I need to find Haley. I think she's inside." He said to her slowly. He could feel a few wet tears on him once again. Never had he seen Brooke like this. He had seen her emotional after the Lucas and Peyton debacle, but never once had he seen her cry. Never. In all the years that they had been friends, he never saw her tears. And now he was feeling them.

A minute later, he felt her arms loosen as she pulled back. "She's…inside?" Brooke asked for confirmation. "Do you know where?"

Nathan gave a timid nod. "I think she's by the tutor center, I was on my way to find her."

Brooke looked at Nathan, feeling disappointment in herself. He had stopped and pulled Brooke into the room, instead of continuing on to find Haley.

"Can we get to her?" Brooke asked softly, afraid of the reply.

"I can try. I need to. I need to find her." He said as he slowly stood up. Now it was time. They had sat in the office too long, and he no longer could. He would go to find her, and just face whatever comes.

Brooke also stood up, and he looked at her strangely. "What?"

"Brooke, you can't come."

Brooke looked at him disbelievingly. "Why the hell not!" She said, in an almost yelling voice. He brought his finger to his lip, motioning for her to be quiet.

"Brooke. It's too dangerous out there. If the shooter is in the halls…I can't let you take that chance." He said in persuasion.

Brooke quickly wiped away a tear and folder her arms across her chest. "Nate, I can't stay here. I can't stay here alone, without you."

Nathan gave a nod. Although he didn't want her coming along, he couldn't leave her alone. He grabbed her hand and slowly walked out of the office.

They slowly tiptoed down the hall, and rounded the corner, followed by another one. As Brooke looked at the hallway in front of her, she screamed silently. Nathan had covered her mouth quickly, as he also saw the sight in front of him.

Only a few feet away was the lifeless body. The friend she knew, the cheerleader, the poor girl. Tears fled from Brooke's eyes quickly, as she began having yet another breakdown.

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Sorry to leave you at such a cliffhanger. Oh wait, no I'm not. Please review!