1 Trajedy

The breeze was crisp and the sun's morning glow illuminated Adel's workshop. The man stood at 6'4'' with dark brown hair bordering on black, and melancholy eyes. Small scars could be seen on his grizzled face. A hardy beard covered his entire face as it came around his face and merged with his short hair. It has been a long time since he last gave a genuine smile. Whenever he did, it was usually when he spent time with his son. He blew out the smoke from his lungs savoring the tobacco that scattered into the morning mist. His calloused hands placed the lit cigarette on his cement ashtray as he began to rummage for his chisel. Guitars and unfinished furniture decorated much of the space in his garage. Ever since Adel retired from the Marines, he took up his family's trade as a carpenter and luthier. After everything that happened with his ex-wife, he had an obligation to stay state-side. This simple life with his son Jack proved to be more blissful than he imagined. He lived in this dreamscape for ten years now, where he once lived in a world of no hope he now found sweet serenity in a small mountain town.

As he scraped away at the maple and shaped its form, he couldn't help but remember his time in the military. Those dangerous missions, the harsh battles, whenever his squad had downtime, he would whittle away at a piece of wood and leave behind a trinket. Proof he was there. Then a soft ringing broke the peaceful air. It was not unusual to receive calls at any time of the day, as it was usually a client with a request or an update. However, his caller ID said Jack. Adel was confused because he had just dropped him off at school with his friend Stacey. How he wished Jack would grow a pair and confess to that girl, but then again, he hadn't the best track record with relationships.

"Jack, what's goin on private? I just dropped you off."

He heard the soft whimpers and sniffling of his son.

"Dad… I am not supposed to be loud but it's an emergency… there is an active shooter here.."

When Jack finished explaining he heard some shuffling and then heard Stacey's voice. Not wanting to interrupt should he miss anything he listened to her with bated breath.

"Mr. Orson, I told Jack to call you, we figured if anyone knew what to do it might be you sir…"

She took a couple of seconds to breathe and control her tears when she said,

"what do we do?"

Adel took a second to process what was going on.

"Have you all made sure your door is barricaded? "

"Yes sir, we also turned off the lights and followed our shelter in place protocol."

"Roger that, do not, I repeat DO NOT! Open those doors under any circumstances. I'll figure something out..."

It seems he was on speaker as he heard his son and some ambient noises "Please hurry…"

Adel ended the call and headed straight for the middle-left drawer of his tool locker. One of the few drawers that needed a key to open it. He pulled out a wood grain handled 1911 pistol. Something his Sergeant Major gifted him when he retired from the Marines. He then pulled out two extra magazines and rushed to his car.

Adel would always drive a vintage 1965 forest green Mustang Shelby GT. However, one night Jack recommended he buy a new car to stop putting miles on his restored car. He then bought a black Hellcatt. He jumped in and started the car, not caring that his garage was left wide open. He shifted into reverse and skid out onto the road. He pushed 150 mph and drove straight to his son's school. On his way, he used the smart features to call the police. They were informed of the situation but in their mountain town. It took some time for the authorities to react. One thing he missed about living in the city, was quick roads.

He drove straight into the school parking lot and onto the pathway in front of the school's entrance. He stopped the car and jumped the fence because someone barricaded the main entrance. There was no sign of any police or sheriff, but he did see a few students scattered unconscious, most likely dead, and some security guards in the same position as well. He took the time to scan the students to see if there were any survivors but so far there were none as blood continued to pool all around him. He noticed the casings on the floor and how they were distributed. The shooter probably had a modified semi-auto pistol.

It seems the guards were stripped of their ammunition, perhaps the shooter wanted to continue their rampage. The lack of gunshots informed him that perhaps there were no more easy targets, and the shooter was looking for a way to reach new victims. As he quickly maneuvered through the corridors, he would peek at corners and clear shady areas looking for the culprit. He knew he should leave this to the authorities, but he felt a strong calling to protect his son. The only person that he still could consider family. Then he heard boots, he used the reflection of a nearby trophy case to check the following hallway. There he saw a short figure with a heavy tactical jacket and pants tucked into his boots. Adel grits his teeth; he didn't want to kill a teen again. He had to do so when child soldiers were indoctrinated into terrorist groups. It always left a wound in him when he saw how young and angry those youths were. He yelled down the passage.

"Listen here, drop your weapon! I have a gun as well and I am prepared to shoot if you do not disarm!"

He saw the reflection turn and then shot the glass as he thought Adel was directly behind him. That gave Adel all the information he needed to know. Without hesitation Adel pivoted into a low squat from his leaning position on the wall, his left hand braced the gun as he took aim at the young man in front of him. He fired 5 shots, and he missed two but the other three pierced his arm and leg, usually he would hit all his shots, but Adel was aiming for non-lethal areas. He was hoping to keep the youth from dying, let that be up to a jury of his peers, he had enough blood on his hands. A shriek filled the hallway as the youth dropped his weapon and grasped his leg. Adel charged to apprehend the young man when he heard someone else at the end of the hallway

"Stop right there!"

Before he could stop and explain to the sheriff, they unloaded a few rounds into his chest. The cold, piercing sensation dropped his momentum and fatigue came instantly as the shock brought him to his knees. He then crumpled forward as he struggled to breathe. He coughed blood and he knew that his lungs had begun to fill with blood. His only thought was of Jack. He wanted to make sure his son was alright, but his consciousness dimmed. Adel Orson died that day coughing blood as his hand clutched his phone, hoping to make one final call.