Chapter 14

It has been a few months since their little family became whole. For the most part everything was going great.

In the beginning Stef tried to avoid Mason at all costs. There's no doubt in her mind that he knows about her and Lena. There were a couple of family outings where she could have sworn that she had seen him. But it was always hard to tell and she didn't want to worry anyone. Luckily, the investigation was able to open up a little wider because of his involvement with Justina and placing Mariana in an unfit home. Therefore, he was suspended without pay until the investigation is over; which all took place a month ago.

They had a new captain, Captain Roberts. She was a black woman that meant business but still had the upmost respect for every person and officer she encountered. The moral alone in the precinct has improved abundantly. Stef for once actually enjoyed going there.

For Lena, life was where she only ever dreamed it could be. She had a loving and protective partner. She finally got her daughter. And besides all of that she was the new vice principal of Anchor Beach. Monte was right, all of the kids loved her and looked up to her. And she loved them. She did well with the parents and staff. She was the happiest she has ever been in a long time.

Mariana, now that she realized that no one can take her away from her home or school began to finally settle into school and make friends. She joined the junior dance team and even made a best friend named Emma. She was actually feeling like a normal child again.

Though the three seemed to finally be gaining some peace and happiness, the ever looming threat of Mason Hazelwood was not something to brush off and ignore.

Mike and Stef were out on patrol, going through their usual noon route. Just laughing and talking about some joke that one of the officers pulled on a couple of the new hires. In the matter of one moment the whole day was about to change.

Mike got a text from one of the other officers out patrolling from across town. "Listen to this. Apparently Donovan just had a run in with Hazelwood and almost had to arrest him. He was shit faced drunk at a diner causing a huge scene". Mike continued to read on but not out loud as he came across the last part of the message. According to the manager, he was rambling on about "killing those bitches today".

"Shit" he said as he turned on the sirens and raced towards Anchor Beach.

By the time they got there Mike explained to Stef what he read and it didn't take long for her to become worried.

"Let's...let's just see if his car is even here first", Stef tried to reason, more so for herself. But sure enough to the back of the lot they saw Mason's SUV. The inside looked so trashed as if he was living out of it or something. But the one thing that definitely didn't go unnoticed to them was the drugs and empty bottles.

Mike reached for he walkie, "I need back up and SWAT to Anchor Beach Charter School. There's a possible shooter inside. They both ran into the school at full speed heading straight into the main office.

The first people they saw were Monte and Lena, who were looking over the schedule for next week. Stef felt slight relief seeing Lena safe. But when Lena looked up she was excited and surprised to see her partner there but the her stone face and Mike's frantic one quickly caused her to panic. Especially when she could see how terrified Stef's eyes appeared to be. "What's wrong? Are my parents ok? Where's Mariana?"

"Honey, honey listen to me ok? Listen, you have to stay calm. Mason is here. But we have back up coming".

Mike began to talk to Monte, " You need to lock down this school immediately. There's an armed shooter in here somewhere".

Monte ran to the loud speaker and in her best calm yet stern voice she repeated, "Code Blue, there is a Cold Blue. This is NOT a drill".

In a matter of seconds students and teachers could be heard scrambling to classrooms and safe places. A few stray students ran straight into the office where Mike guided them where to hide.

"Stef we have to get Mariana!"

"No I will make sure she's safe. She more than likely will be in her class. But you have to stay right here. Do you understand? We will be alright just stay right here!" Stef handed them a walkie so they could communicate with them once they got out side.

"Lena, I could use your help", Monte said as she began sending the emails to all of the different classrooms instructing the mom to look over the code blue manual and to promptly take roll.

Stef and Mike took that as their cue to run out and make sure everyone was going into a room as the alarm kept blaring . They scanned every face seeing if they could spot Mariana but to no avail. Soon enough the halls were empty and they hoped everyone so far were safe.

...

Mariana and Emma were walking back from the music room, where Mariana was showing Emma her new dance when they alarms started to go off. "What's a code blue?" Emma asked, scared as she saw people running all around them.

"My moms said that it's when a bad person is here with a gun. We have to go hide". Mariana grabbed her hand as they tried to run towards the classrooms. Once they got there they saw the doors each closing and locking one by one.

Not know where else to go they started towards the bathrooms, when one of the male teachers who everyone called Timothy called out to them, "Girls! Hurry come in here!" He quickly guided them into the classroom where they were surrounded by older kids but at least they were safe.

...

Mason tucked the gun in the back of pants as he tried his best to look as normal and as sane as possible. He trudged his was towards the main entrance where he was greeted by security. "Excuse me sir, how can I help you?"

"I'm here to meet with my daughter's teacher. The little midget was acting up in class so now we have to talk about how best to get rid of the problems" The security guard was about to ask another question when I group of kids started egging on a fight down the hall. "Ok. Go straight to the main office and obtain a pass".

Mason didn't say anything as he grinned and walked right into the school. Once inside her walked straight past the main office. Still oblivious to Lena's promotion he went in search for her classroom.

He glanced inside each one searching and searching. Ready to finally put her into her place. The bell rang and instantly doors flew open and students and teachers were everywhere. It wasn't until then that it dawned on him that an even better idea was to find Mariana as well. That would get back at both Lena and Stef. The more he thought about Lena and Stef the angry he became. But once the alarm blew he was shaken from his thoughts as he heard the school go into a code blue.

He knew that someone must have figured he was there. So he ducked inside a near by bathroom until the halls died down.

...

"We should be safe in here. I bet my mom is already outside", Mariana said trying to look by a window.

"Yeah. And don't worry if he comes in I'm sure I can take him" Emma said with a serious face. "You can't take down a guy with a gun. You are little" Mariana recanted. "My dad said I'm a great wrestler. I'm strong for my size".

"Girls quiet" Timothy whispered.

The two sat back and listened to what they were told. But they began to ease drop on two of the older kids' conversation.

"Hayley is in the office right now. Apparently, the shooter is the former police chief or something. He dated Ms Adams. But I heard she left him for some lady cop that use to work for him. He's probably here for her".

Mariana took off her backpack and began to inch for the door. " Mariana what are you doing?" Emma whispered eyes wide, "Mariana".

Once she got down in front of the door she slowly reached up and unlocked it. But the noise was loud enough in the quiet room for everyone to look toward the door. "Hey. What are you doing?" Timothy said making his way towards her.

But she jumped up and darted out of the room before he could grab her. Knowing he had to protect the majority over the one, he quickly shut and locked the door knowing he couldn't go get her. But he turned to the computer to send an email to the main office.

...

"Lena, everything is going to be ok really," Monte said as she rubbed up and down Lena's back. Lena was too panicked to realize that each run Monte seemed to run more into her lower back.

"This is all of my fault. I knew that he would ruin something."

"Lena, listen to me," Monte whispered while placing a hand on the side of Lena's face holding it in place, " she's safe. She's in Timothy's class with the older kids. No one would think to look for her there. And you are safe here with me"

Before Lena could respond another message popped up on their central laptop. "I thought we got all of the attendance lists" Monte said looking at the screen. "It's a message from Timothy," Lena said butting in front of the computer, "Mariana Adams ran out of the class. I couldn't stop her."

Lena jumped up and ran to the door.

"Lena! Lena! Stop you can't go out there".

"Mariana is out there alone! I'm going to go find her. Let me go!" Lena pushed Monte back far enough to escape out of the door and make her way down the hall in the direction of the upperclass classrooms.

...

Captain Roberts, the precinct , and the FBI are all outside of Anchor Beach. They kept the parents at bay and have the school surrounded. However, no one is allowed to enter the school.

Stef hears her radio start to pick up. The whole time she has been communicating with Lena and the main office. So far all of the kids are accounted for and not much has been heard through out the halls. But when she hears Monte's voice instead of Lena's she knows that something is wrong.

"Stef, Mariana ran out of class. When Lena found out she ran out of the office to find her. "

Stef couldn't even respond. Instead she took off running towards the school but Captain Roberts intercepted and held her to the side. "Foster, listen to me. If you go into that school it will cost you your badge" she tried to reason.

"I don't care. Take it", Stef said trying to shake out of her grip."

Mike came running over trying to calm her down. " Stef, listen you are not about to go in there and be target practice. Mariana and Lena are both smart and tough. They will find a way to stay safe. But until then at least wait until the SWAT team gets here before going in there."

...

Lena is tip toeing down the hall. Her body is on full alert. Right now she doesn't even feel afraid of Mason. She just wants to get to her daughter. She's staying close to the walls and she begins to round a corner.

She has never heard the school this quiet. Even when she used to stay late. It felt as if she was having a nightmare out of the twilight zone.

She paused when she heard a ruffling noise, but couldn't pin from where it was coming from. She made a mental note of two places to run in case she needed to.

She inched her way further down the hall but almost jumped out of her skin when she felt someone grab her wrist. But it was Mariana, hiding behind the curtain by the window. She had tears streaming down her face but looked relieved to see Lena.

"I heard him coming so I hid" Mariana whispered.

"Shhh. Baby let's go". Lena picked her up and knew that she could go to the bathrooms around the corner and lock it from the inside.

She was right about to round the corner when she heard loud foot steps and what seemed to be something crashing to the ground. She peeked around and saw Mason stumbling and struggling to get up from the fallen trash can. Sure enough he had a tight grip on a gun in his right hand. She could tell that he was drunk and knew that nothing good was about to come from this.

While he was busy swearing she quickly went back the way she came. She knew that all of the classrooms were locked and the hall the Mason was in could easily circle back to the office and she didn't want to run the risk of running into him. The only other close bathroom was locked, meaning there were already terrified students locked in there.

Thinking on her feet she dashed into a supply closet. It locked from the inside but she knew that it wouldn't hold after a few jerks. She moved as much stuff in front of the door as she could. So at least it would be barricaded and they could hide behind some of it as well.

They sit in the back corner and Lena is holding Mariana tight. "My sweet girl, are you alright?" Lena whispered trying to examine her. Mariana nods her head pulling Lena's down to wrap her arms around her neck. "I'm sorry Mama. I had to make sure you were ok. They said he is here for you I had…"

She was cut off by the sound of someone in the hall. They could hear foot steps and things slamming and falling. A couple of times they heard kids screaming before more rushed steps. Mariana began crying even harder as she covered her mouth trying to keep quiet. Lena just held her tighter as tears burned her own eyes.

Lena knew that it could just be law enforcement evacuating each room. But she didn't want reveal themselves and be wrong. She knew if anything, Stef would come in there after them if she doesn't see them leave the building.

…

"They got all of the classrooms out," Captain Roberts said to Mike and Stef. "No, Lena and Mariana haven't come out yet". Stef said ready to run in.

"Yes they know that. They figured that Hazelwood is still in there as well. Probably hiding out. A couple of students and teachers reported hearing him in the halls. Considering that those two are likely his target the whole team is still in there searching for them".

"No. No, I'm not loosing my family". Stef said pacing. She felt vibrations from her pocket. When she looked at her phone she saw a message from Lena: "In closet. Please come get us".

That was all that it took as Stef ran into the school full speed as Roberts and Mike screamed for her from the safe zone.

Stef makes her way down each hall whispering for them. Trying to check every possible closet she could find.

"Lena. Honey? Mariana" Stef somehow ends up walking past the closet they were in. She was so zoned in on finding them that she didn't even realize that she attracted the attention of Mason who was now tailing her waiting for Lena and Mariana to be revealed.

But Lena and Mariana do hear her. Figuring the coast is clear they quietly come out of the closet. But Stef already rounded the next corner and the person who is waiting there is Mason. Looking more evil than the devil himself.

"I knew the dumb blond would lead me to you. You thought she could protect you from me but instead look at where we are". Mason took the gun out and aimed it right at Lena.

"Mom!" Mariana screamed. But Lena pushed her behind her trying to guard her as best as she could.

"For a moment I thought offing this little brat would be enough to break you. But I'm sure taking you out would be much more satisfying. Now all of you dumb btches that think you can do whatever you like will know what happens when you step out of your place."

Mariana and Lena heard the men yelling running down one end of the hall and in an instant Stef was right back on the opposite end.

Stef knew she couldn't let emotions get in her way as she aimed her gun at Mason. She couldn't see Lena and Mariana as her family right now. That would only fog her mind.

But Mason doesn't care he doesn't even attempt to turn or lower his weapon. The SWAT knows that he is way too close to Lena for them to attack him. But Stef is at the perfect angle. The angle that would ensure only he gets shot. Stef looks to the SWAT lead as he nods his head, signaling Stef to take the shot if need be. Because everyone knew that there was no talking him down.

Stef also knew that him dying would be way too easy. So much justice needed to be paid.

"I always hated you as a cop," Mason said speaking to Stef but still looking at Lena, "So I'm glad that you get to watch this.

His finger moved to the trigger but Stef's was already there.

One shot. Mason was tumbling to the ground.

Two shots. Lena and Mariana screamed. As Mason's finger clenched the trigger.

Three shots. In a split second Stef craved her own justice.

Dead shot…Dead.