"I'm in so much pain. I think it compressed my disk and I’m in withdrawal from painkillers." Her words sent a ripple of concern running through Chris. It made the blood running down the side of his face and the ache of his shoulder seem like a trivial thing. He didn't know what to say. "I don’t know if I want to move, but I can’t stay here. You can’t stay here." He nodded and tried to think of what to say. But still, he couldn't. He was frozen until her next words. "Pick me up," She blurted out. And that was the catalyst he needed. She seemed to know exactly what his problem was, judging by her next words. "Keep moving Chris. I can’t move you for you right now." As gently as he could manage, he slid one arm around her back and the other under her legs and lifted her. "I've got you." He wasn't sure if he said it to comfort himself or her. He didn't know why his thoughts were so muddled. Perhaps the adrenaline in his system was only of benefit when he was moving.
His theory was confirmed as he lifted her as gently as he could. His shoulder flared as the muscles worked, but he didn't allow himself to falter. He held her as close as he could, hoping it would be of some comfort. The office was an assault course. Lucky for both of them, he had always been good at them. He navigated the treacherous room, keeping Katia as steady as he could as he moved.
Once they were out of the office, he had a clear shot to the door. The temptation was there to run, but that could cause too much pain to Katia. He thought only about his actions, and not about anything else. He was suddenly focused, predicting every move, every step he would need to make. The doors were open, and the breeze of fresh air that ran through the reception was like a gift.
As he made it out of the building, he suddenly realized that the students would possibly find this a talking point. The new PE teacher carrying the new Dance and Drama teacher from the building? As if there wasn't enough gossip.
Chris gently set Katia down on the ground. His lungs then took the opportunity to rid themselves of all the dust that had accumulated in them, and he turned away, coughing. As soon as he caught his breath, he turned to Katia. "You know what I'm like. I'm going back in. I've got to get the students out." Another wave of coughing overtook him. "Don't make yourself any worse. Help is probably on it's way as we speak." And with that, he got to his feet.
As he turned to look back at the school, he swore to himself. Add a hero complex to my list of faults. He thought, but he was already in the building.
Was it just him, or was there screams coming from the cafeteria? He ran towards it, shivers starting to run up his spine. His fears were confirmed as he saw what lay within. He froze, desperately trying to assess what to do first.
"EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!" He bellowed. Well, they know you're a teacher now anyway. "Right! Buddy up!" Seriously? "If there's someone near you that needs help getting out, help them! Do not pull anybody! You risk worsening their injuries! If you want to move someone who's trapped, let me know and I'll see what I can do! Get going!"
In the midst of the chaos, somewhere, Adele's Set Fire To The Rain was playing. It sounded so out of place- at least, until she realized it was her phone. She pulled it from her pocket, raising her eyebrows as she saw the caller ID. Her dad.
"Morgan?" His voice was uncharacteristically frenzied. Her laid-back attitude had been inherited from him. "Dad? I'm fine, Dad-" He cut her off, something he'd never usually do. "Morgan, we've got to go. I done something stupid, something really stupid. I'm on my way to get you." She frowned, running a hand through her hair. "When's your flight?" When her dad was like this, there was no point in trying to talk him out of anything. "I'm in San Francisco, honey." Something was really wrong. The realization caused her stomach to sink like a stone.
"Dad, the school was hit by an earthquake. Will you even-" He really was frantic. "I know, honey. The roads are just about drive-able on. If Mr Marinos is around, tell him you've got to go and that I'll explain everything. If not, just... I don't know. I'll be there in about five minutes, Morgan. He hung up, causing Morgan to glance around. Mr Marinos wasn't around.
She suddenly felt like crying. There was so many people she wanted to say goodbye to, most of whom weren't even out of the building. She only had five minutes left in her second home, and, judging by her father's behaviour, she wasn't coming back. She didn't know what to do, except for walk towards the drive.
Her father had evidently under-estimated either his speed or the distance from wherever he had made the call to the school. Because as she reached the drive, her father pulled up in a black car that she recognised as a standard issue undercover cop car. She pulled the door open.
"I'll explain everything, Morgan, I promise. Give this letter to Mr Marinos, but hurry. If you can't find him, give it to someone else." She took the letter and climbed out again, striding towards the school.
She didn't have time to try and find Mr Marinos. She realized that as she saw her chance to say one of her goodbyes. Jackson. He was standing with someone else she vaguely recognised, but couldn't be bothered trying to place. She strode towards him, not bothering to try and fake a smile.
"Hey, Jackson. Sorry to interrupt, but could you do me a favour and give this to Mr Marinos whenever you see him? Or get someone else to." She handed him the letter, purposely keeping her eyes to the ground. But even that wasn't working. The tears started to flow nonetheless. "I'm sorry, Jackson. I've got to go. I-I-I'm not coming back. Not for a while, anyway." In a burst of energy, she wrapped her arms around him. She couldn't say it, but her power spoke for her. "Goodbye." She turned away, heading back to her dad.
He saw the tears on her face. "I'm sorry, Mo, sweetie. I wouldn't do this unless you were at risk." She buckled up her seat belt and wiped her eyes. She couldn't say anything as he pulled out the drive. As they drove away, she stared at the school for as long as she could. As the school disappeared from view, she sent out one last telepathic message, to no-one in particular.
Thank you.