Chapter 2:

Troy listened for another shot. Gabriella was right, it sounded like a gun. Students around them began to run to the door screaming.

"What ever you do, don't let go of my hand! If we get separated, meet me at the stop sign by the bus lanes," Troy said sternly. Gabriella nodded. She looked pale and very afraid. The gunshots were getting closer. Troy began running, pulling Gabriella behind him.

Outside looked like a war zone. Students were outside crying or in shock. Some had been crushed against walls or doors in the mad rush to escape. Troy dragged Gabriella over to where Chad and Taylor were standing with Kelsi and Jason.

"Thank God you're alright!" exclaimed Taylor as she gave Troy and Gabriella each a hug.

"Dude, what happened?" Chad asked. Troy shrugged.

"Dunno. Gabi and I were leaving Math when we heard the shots."

"Taylor, Kelsi, Jason, and I were coming in from the portables when we heard shouts to get out, so we did."

"You guys! Move farther away from the school!" Jack Bolton yelled, ushering students father away from the building.

"Dad! What's going on?" Troy asked his Father.

"Kids, please move farther away from the building, and stay there!"

"Dad! Answer me!" Troy had never treated his Father like that, but he needed some answers right away.

"Troy, I want you to listen to me. Move away from the school, and stay there. It's too dangerous for you all to be this close to the building." Troy grabbed Gabriella, and began to pull her away from the school. Gabriella seemed to be in complete shock about eh events unfolding around her. Only about half of the school seemed to have evacuated the building, leaving the rest inside with the gunman.

When the foursome got far enough away from the school, Gabriella buried her face in Troy's chest, and didn't move at all. Nobody could tell if she was crying or not. Troy wrapped his arms around her, and looked away from the building. After nearly fifteen minutes, the gunshots stopped for good.

"Is it over?" Taylor asked quietly. Troy looked towards the school and shrugged. They had thought that it was finally over when they heard a single shot. It was over.

Slowly, the teachers went from group to group to make sure everyone was safe. Ambulances, police cars, and parents' cars began to fill the parking lot. A strong wind had picked up on the unusually cold New Mexican day. Troy took off his jacket, and carefully wrapped it around Gabriella's trembling shoulders.

"Guys, we're still missing Ryan, Sharpay, and Zeke," Jason said as he looked around.

"They're probably alright; they just can't find us, that's all," said Kelsi.

Sure enough, Ryan came running up to the gang a few minutes later. He had a cut above his right eye that looked like it had just stopped bleeding minutes before. He looked exhausted, and very worried.

"Sharpay isn't here?" he said with a sigh. He leaned up against a nearby tree.

"We thought she was with you and Zeke," explained Chad. "Where's Zeke? We assumed that all three of you were together." Ryan shook his head.

"But don't you and Zeke have this last class together?" Kelis asked. Ryan nodded slightly.

"Where's Sharpay?" he asked again.

"I'm right here," Sharpay said from off to the side. Ryan immediately pulled his twin sister into a warm hug. Sharpay looked around somewhat dazed. "Where's Zeke?" she asked quietly. Ryan bit his lip.

"He's been shot, Shar," he said quietly.