11:45 a.m.
Anna caught Sargent Parker's and the other, taller, officer's half of the conversation with Nathan. It sounded like he was giving up some of his hostages. She was grateful. Too much longer and they may have needed to force their way in. Anna didn't know how upset he was until she heard the round being fired. What if he hit someone?
Anna stood up, not sure what else to do. Finally it looked like Sargent Parker wasn't on the phone with Nathan anymore; instead he was just talking with the other officer. She walked quickly over to the pair. Her vision was blurry, she hadn't realized it before, but she was crying.
Halfway to the officers Anna changed her mind and direction and headed straight for the doors of the lecture hall. Maybe she could talk with him? Maybe if she was in there, he could just kill her instead of the innocent people he had in there. They had nothing to do with this! This wasn't right. And she could fix it.
Anna picked up her pace to a sprint but only made it a few more feet toward the doors before the taller officer jumped into her path and caught her by the shoulders.
"Anna! Stop! We can't let you go in there," he said firmly.
"Let me go! Please, let me go talk to him!" Now the tears were really coming. Anna felt pathetic, crying for this boy, but she couldn't stop herself. She shoved back against the chest of the officer and grabbed at his strong hands holding her, trying to break free from his grasp. He only held her arms tighter.
"Anna, Anna!" Sargent Parker called, walking toward them. "Anna, calm down. Calm down, everything's going to be alright."
"Did he shoot someone? I heard it, what's going on? Please, just let me go talk to him, I know that's what he wants," she pleaded.
"Anna, we can't have you running in there alone, I'm sorry. No, Nathan didn't shoot anyone. He was agitated and shot into the air. Don't worry; we're doing our best to take care of the situation. We want to get him and his hostages out of there safely." Sargent Parker's voice was even and deliberate. "Nathan has agreed to let half of his hostages go on the condition that he gets to talk to you. Do you think you can do that, Anna? I'll go in with you along with Officer Lane here and Officer Braddock to make sure you're safe." He nodded towards Lane, "Ed?"
Lane loosened his grip on Anna's arms, moving one hand to her shoulder and keeping the other near her elbow.
Anna's voice sounded steadier than it did a moment ago. She responded, "Yes, I can do that."
"Ok, good, Anna. Thank you." He addressed the other officer again, "Ed, get her fitted with a vest just in case."