Chapter 2--
They slipped into the library as quietly as possible, careful not to let the door slam. Peyton gently rested her friend in an arm chair, sensing she needed a quick break before they continued. The stop also gave her a chance to think about their escape route. She didn't know where the shooter was now, or if the police had arrived yet. There was no telling which way would bring them to safety.
Peyton looked down at Brooke. She had paled considerably and her eyes were drooping.
"Come on, Brooke. Stay awake. You can do this! We're almost out of here," Peyton said enthusiastically, squatting down to look her in the eye.
"I'm sorry, Peyton…. For every-thing." Brooke mumbled as she attempted to make eye contact.
"No, no, you're not getting off the hook that easily. We have some things to discuss if you want to get into apologies so you just wait till you're better and then I'll let you have it" Peyton replied jokingly, trying to coax a smile.
"Don't be silly, we both know what's happening," Brooke whispered sadly. Of course they both knew what was happening, and it was terrifying, but Peyton refused to go there just yet.
"All I see is you being a lazy ass. Come on. This could be a whole lot worse. We just need to get you out of here. Help is just outside" she said, putting another layer of courage on her face as she started to lift her friend from the chair.
"Whatever you say, but I still think you're crazy" Brooke replied as she leaned on her for support. The two of them headed to the other side of the library to the doors that led to an exit hallway.
"Come on! We're almost there!" Peyton panted as Brooke quickly ran out of energy and depended on the support of her friend more and more.
"Damn it! The doors are locked! Shit! How effing convenient! Okay, it's okay, we'll be fine. We just have to go back to the other door. It's a detour but we can do it" Peyton said, calming herself out loud. They turned and had made it half way back across the room when they heard a voice.
-----
"Brooke! Peyton!" it called. Lucas came running towards them from the door they entered through.
"Hey, Broody" Brooke whispered with tears in her eyes as he grew nearer.
"My god, what happened?" he asked worriedly as he held Brooke's face in his hands. She was cold to the touch and clammy, several shades paler than her usual porcelain and when he looked in her eyes, her pupils were dilated. She was fading.
"She was shot" Peyton answered, seeing her friend slowly slipping away. Lucas's heart stopped for at least a minute.
His pretty girl.
This had to be all just one bad dream. Brooke was fine. He's at home, asleep in bed. Not here. Not now. He could lose her. He was losing her. He could feel her leaving him. No, don't go there. It wasn't over just yet.
"Come on, let's get her out of here" he said as he tried his hardest to push all of his thoughts and feelings deep down. He scooped up his girl friend, holding her close in silent prayer that as long as he held her she would be fine, and quickly made his way to the doors.
As the three of them stepped back into the hall, they heard a shot go off. Lucas' blood ran cold as he held Brooke closer. Peyton clutched his arm and even Brooke stirred.
"It's ok, Pretty Girl. I'm gonna get you out of here," he said reassuringly as he looked down at her.
"Be careful, Broody" she whispered tiredly with the smallest of smiles on her lips.
"Always for you" he replied quietly as he squared his shoulders and chose a direction. "Okay, let's go this way and hope for the best," he said with determination as he lengthened his stride, making sure Peyton was right behind him. They walked quickly in silence. He kept looking down, making sure Brooke was keeping her eyes open, "Come on baby, stay with me, just a little longer" he pleaded.
"Brooke, do you remember when I broke my arm on the playground in 3rd grade? I was a complete mess, crying my eyes out and screaming for my mom. And while the teacher called my dad and the ambulance, you sat by me and held me, told me to calm down. You said that while my mom's watching over me, you'd be here next to me. You said I had to be strong and brave and a big girl that you believed in me and that you'd stick by me every step of the way. I would have been a mess if it hadn't been for you. I had been so scared and lost and you stepped in right when I needed you. I need you to do this for me, I need you to hang in there and stay strong." Peyton said as she walked closely along side her friend.