A/N: Because a couple of people asked me about it, I'll just put out there that I never was in anything like this. I just feel terrible for the people who were.

"I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill." Mahatma Gandhi

Frank

We got into Chet's yellow jalopy --- me, Tony, and John. The drive to the hospital was wild. There were police, there were helicopters, and there were lots of cars of family going towards the hospital.

Somehow, Chet and Tony got us to where we needed to be. Both Dave and Joe were in surgery, and the nurse on duty couldn't tell us when they'd be out. I looked at John, who had collapsed into a chair, shaking, and said, quietly, "At least they're still alive."

He shook his head, placing his forehead in his hands. Tony had gone off to fill out some forms. Chet was attempting to reach his parents to tell them he was okay. I knew I should try to call mom, but she was states away, in Illinois. She wouldn't be able to get a plane for hours. I wanted to put off the worry until I had some news about Joe.

So I collapsed next to John. I didn't talk. I didn't ever want to talk again.

What had happened? I glanced at my watch --- 10:07. It had been a little over an hour since the first shots had gone off. It s amazing what an hour can do to your life.

I had known everyone in Bayport for forever. It wasn't exactly a small town, but there were only two hundred people in my Senior class, and a little less than that in Joe's. I knew almost everyone by sight. And now some of them were dead.

And one of them had killed them.

Next to me, John spoke, his voice cracking. "I don't know who I should call." I looked at him. His features, perfect, elegant and dark, were contorted. His eyes were red and there was a smear of blood on his cheek. "My mother left to help my aunt get settled into her house in Ohio. I know I should call her…" He looked at me, and I realized he was crying. I realized I was too. I don't think I had stopped.

"Who was it?" It came out in a whisper, a scared whisper, like he almost didn't want to know. "Who did it?"

I shrugged. I wish I knew, or at least I knew that I would eventually want to know. I have been told by many people, Joe included, that I was overprotective of my little brother. I agreed with them completely. Eventually, I would want to rip the head off of the person who had shot my brother, but not yet.

Right now, what I wanted more than anything in the world was to see my brother. I don't care how corny that sounds. Joe means to the world to me. All I could think about was him, just now, with all the blood.

I might be sick again.

Leaning back in the seat, I sighed. I felt a hand on mine and smiled gratefully at John, who was looking at me, concerned. I think I've mentioned before that John is really a great guy. I hope everything's okay with him. "When this is over." He said, looking at me seriously. "We'll go out for a beer."

I laughed so loud I made several people who had just joined us in the waiting room look at me like I was an idiot. John broke into a grin as well, a short, tinkling laugh escaping him for a second.

I was completely out of it, though. The mental image of me and John drinking (neither of us are legal, either) was too funny. Maybe that was why I didn't notice the doctor first.

John stood up, his posture rigid and defensive. I was right behind him --- suddenly, I didn't feel like laughing. The doctor looked between us, looking extremely serious. "Are your parents here?" I didn't know which one of us he was addressing, but since the answer was the same I said, "no."

Suddenly, Chet was at my side. Tony was there too, carrying a clipboard. The world seemed to have shrunk again It was only the four of us kids and the doctor. Once again, it didn't matter about everyone else who was hurt. It didn't matter that right there in the waiting room there were other people waiting for news on their sons or daughters or boyfriends or brothers. It only mattered that this doctor had news, and it wasn't good.

"It's not that bad." The doctor said, noting our grave expressions. "I believe that both of your brothers are still in operation, though I don't know for sure. It's regular meatball surgery in their --- so many kids…No. I came to alert you. Carrie Garner is awake and requesting her boyfriend." He smiled a small smile at John. "The nurse will take you to her room." He hurried back along the corridor, leaving us.

John was next to me. "She's alright." He said, marveling at the words. He laughed, a laugh similar to my deranged laugh. "She's okay!" He scrambled to follow the nurse along the same corridor the doctor had disappeared down.

I turned to Chet. "How'd it go?"

He furrowed his brow. "I told my mom I was okay. She was in hysterics when I called ---it's all over the news. She wanted me home right away, but I told her I'd stay with you." He guided me to a chair. It wasn't until that moment that I realized I was wavering. Standing was not something I was good at at the moment. "I figured you'd need a friend."

Tony pushed Joe's paperwork towards me. "It took forever just to get the nurse's attention. There's so many people out there --- nobody knows where to go. Some kids got airlifted to different hospitals and…" He shook his head, making his long hair flop in front of his serious eyes. "It's chaos, man."

I took the paperwork from him. Concentrating on something would be good for me right now. I remembered how Joe and I would always joke around. Usually, we'd be stuck in the emergency room for hours (we break quite a few bones. I hold the record, though --- nineteen) and we'd fill out each other's paperwork. Put down our history in drugs, and all that.

Now, the papers in front of me swam in front of my eyes. I realized I was crying again and brushed the tears aside impatiently. Why was I crying?

I looked across the room, where a low, primal wail had started. A woman was shaking, held by a girl who must be her daughter. I looked at them with a detached interest, wondering which one of my classmates had just died.

The woman's wail was only cut off when the door shut behind her. Then we were left with silence.

I've looked over the last couple of chapters --- this is probably the most depressing thing we ever wrote, because it could actually happen, you know?

Anyway, review.