3| Witness

I woke up the next morning to several drunk texts from Mel, and a few from Landon.

Mel: Omg Emmmm! Landon jus ask about you. He thinks you're smokin.

Mel: Henry just hit on me! should I go for it? I think I'm gonna go for it.

Mel:

I went for it! Thanks for the support! Wish you were

Mel: Srry. I hit send lol oooop I drunk. I wish you were here. Say hi to your dad for me!

Landon: Hey beautiful. Miss you tonight.

Landon: Hi boo... let's get drinks tomorrow?

I sighed, setting my phone down beside me. I wanted to attend the party, I did, but I just couldn't leave my dad yesterday. As I laid in bed staring at the ceiling, I wasn't so sure I wanted to leave him tonight either.

Although it's been years, and we were both okay, last nights conversation was difficult. I could see how broken up my dad still was— not that I blamed him. It was hard enough for me losing a mother and sister. I couldn't imagine finding a love like my parents had, and then losing that one person who made you whole. Not to mention your own daughter as well. Not to be super depressing, but I could just tell from last night how lonely my dad was, and as much as he tried to hide it, I knew him too well.

Finally, after wallowing in my thoughts a little longer, I decided to peel my body out of bed and make my way to the shower.

I needed this. The hot water cascaded over my body, relaxing the muscles I didn't even realize were tense. I let my thoughts wander, thinking of what I could do to cheer up my dad. Again, I knew he'd be okay, but I decided to stay another night, and I wanted to do something special for him. I wanted him to know how much I love and appreciate him.

I had just slipped on a comfy pair of shorts and loose-fitting, white, t-shirt when my phone lit up with an incoming phone call from Mel.

"Hey! Glad to hear your alive," I greeted into the phone.

"Ha. Ha." Mel replied. "I feel like shit."

"Well, that just means you did it right!" I chuckled, "Drink lots of water today. How was the party?"

"It was really fun! Wish you were there, though."

"I know; I do too. How was it with Henry?" I asked.

"He's great! I'm not sure how I never noticed before, but he's such a nice guy and he really is cute; at least I think so."

"Yeah I agree! I think you two would actually be great together. You probably never noticed before because you are always so invested in the relationship between Landon and I."

"True. Speaking of... he was asking about you a lot last night. I really think you should give him a chance!"

I let out a sigh. I knew he was a great guy, but I just couldn't get there. "Mel... You know I've tried. I just don't feel that way about him."

"Fineee. You should come back to college tonight so we can hang out. Movie night, just you and I! I'll get sea salt vinegar chips and Kit-Kats," she offered.

"Ughhhh, that's so tempting. Those definitely fall into my top 10 movie night snacks. But, I think I'm going to stay here just one more night. It's only Saturday. I will be back Sunday and we can do something next weekend. Promise."

"Okay; I understand... So, how are you?"

"I...I'm okay," I stated.

"Mmmhmm," she replied, not totally convinced. "How's your dad?"

"He's trying. I don't know. We had a nice time last night and a great dinner, but he's so sad still. I know yesterday, given the circumstances, was worse than usual because it was for me too, but he just seems so lonely. I just think I should stay one more night."

"I completely understand. If you need anything please let me know. Otherwise, I will see you on Sunday."

After thanking Mel and hanging up the phone, I dried off my hair and applied some basic makeup before heading downstairs to join my dad for breakfast, of which I'd be making.

I got started by brewing a pot of coffee, knowing both my dad and I were going to want at least 2 cups each. I then proceeded to make maple coated bacon in the oven, and a pan of cheddar scrambled eggs with ham and onion. My dad had finally wandered into the kitchen just as the last round of toast popped up.

"Good morning, Emmy. What's all this?" He asked, picking up a mug and filling it up with coffee.

"I decided to stay one more day, and since I'm pretty certain you live off of microwave breakfast sandwiches, I figured you deserved a nice breakfast this morning."

The smile that graced my dad's face warmed my heart. I would do anything to keep him smiling like that.

We both ate in a relatively comfortable silence, and afterwords, we decided to go golfing at the local course.

It wasn't a difficult course... only a par 3. Lucky for me, because I really wasn't that good. I was okay since I would golf with my dad often, but nobody would want to recruit me to join their league anytime soon either.

We had a great day together; it was everything that I wanted it to be, and I could tell that my dad appreciated my efforts on giving him a nice weekend. When we returned home, I noticed we didn't have much in the way of dinner for tonight, since my extended stay was unplanned.

"I'm going to the store," I announced after rummaging through the fridge, noting the ingredients I would need for tonight.

"Okay honey, hurry home! I picked out the best movie for us tonight. It's your favorite," my dad called from the couch.

"It's the new Star Wars movie, isn't it?" I chuckled.

"YES!"

"That's your  favorite, dad," I chuckled, "but sounds good to me. Need a refill on your ruffle chips?"

"Oh, actually yes. Thanks," he replied as I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

                                                                         ********

I enjoyed grocery shopping. I found it oddly therapeutic, and a place to be alone with my thoughts despite the other shoppers. Not that this store had too many customers; It was not a chain grocery store, but rather it was a family owned business in our small town. I liked to shop here because it seemed they always had the freshest produce, and often they had fresh baked goods you could pick up as well. I thought about buying fresh cinnamon rolls for the morning since I wanted to head back semi-early.

Although it had been a nice day earlier, rain was now coming down hard outside the store as I hurried to my car. It was almost like the weather knew what was about to go down.

Trying my best to stay dry, I was settling the groceries into my car when everything changed. I had just closed my trunk, rounding my way to the driver's side when a deafening BANG rang out through the parking lot, followed by another, and another.

I covered my ears, turning in time to see some people running and scattering throughout the parking lot; bodies were falling to the ground and crimson red began staining the pavement. The blood mixed with the rain, thinning it out so that it appeared to coat the pavement with ease.

I knew I should run, scream, call 911, but at the moment I was literally frozen in place, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the horrific scene I was witnessing. I was further away from everyone, as I never liked to park by other vehicles, but not far enough away to be invisible to the shooters. This became very evident as more shots rang out, and I felt a stabbing pain in my arm.

I was initially more stunned than hurt, but the impact and sensation sent me falling to the ground. I rolled my head to the side, trying to soak in every detail of the shooters— if I survived this, I'd make sure these bastards would pay for this day. I was able to get a good look at most of the shooters, and noticed that they weren't going around to check the bodies to ensure they were dead. I took this information and ran with it, deciding to lie entirely still, mimicking the dead. I couldn't have been more thankful that it wasn't that busy here today-- these people would have shot anyone and everyone.

I couldn't tell you how, but I had managed to create a fake sense of calm in order to remain motionless. I kept my eyes only slightly open, trying not to blink much even as the rain poured into my eyes. I made notes of everything I could see about the shooters— their cars, guns, facial features, clothes; you name it, I took note.

They were speaking in a language I couldn't recognize, but I will never forget the tone of their voices. I heard more gunshots and screams coming from inside the store, and it took everything in me to not fall apart as there were still shooters in the parking lot. I had counted at least 4, but wasn't sure if there were more inside or in the surrounding areas.

Nearby, I saw a middle-aged man move from his spot on the pavement, attempting to crawl to a nearby vehicle after being shot in what looked to be his leg.

What are you doing!? Stay still! My frenzied mind pleaded with the man, not that he'd hear me.

The man immediately was shot at again, and this time, I knew he wouldn't survive.

"Make sure they're all dead, Javi," One of the shooters remarked.

Now that, I understood.

Now, I didn't have a choice. I knew I needed to get out of here or die trying. It was this thought that forced me to move, quickly but quietly getting into my car. Ignoring the growing pain in my arm, I shoved the key into the ignition, ducking down as I tore out of the parking lot. I heard several rounds being shot at my car, and knew they were making contact with the exterior, but I never took my foot off of the gas.

I turned my wheel, driving right passed one of the shooters on the way to the exit. We made brief eye contact, and the look on his face was one I'll never forget, despite the rain that was blurring my windows. He looked me right in the eyes as he raised his gun, firing yet another round at my car as I drove by. This shot shattered my passenger window, grazing my shoulder of the same arm I had already been hit, but it didn't pierce me like the first bullet. I choked back a panicked sob as I felt my car drive over something large, registering that it was most likely a body as I exited the parking lot.

I sped away from the store, not knowing where to go but knowing I needed to get away. I drove as fast as I could, trying my best to remain calm and trying like hell to get to a police station. I pulled out my phone to call 911, but since it was in my pocket when I was shot, it was completely rain soaked and not working.

"Damn it!" I shouted at nobody, realizing that swearing wouldn't do anything, but feeling too emotionally overwhelmed to stay silent.

Just as I thought things couldn't get any worse, I noticed a car speeding up behind me. I recognized immediately that the car was one from the store parking lot, and I could only assume it was the shooters coming to finish what they started. Knowing this could end badly, I reached over, fastening my seatbelt before punching the gas; Luckily for me, there weren't a lot of cars in town tonight that I needed to avoid.

My car screeched and groaned as I was pushing the limit of how fast my shitty car could run, and to my dismay, the opposing vehicle caught up to me with ease. The same shooter that had tried to kill me before rolled down his window, and without any hesitation or note of the fact that I was a human being, he pulled the trigger... again.

I immediately ducked out of the way, swerving my car to make a sharp turn away from him. The gunshot shattered my other window, startling me as my hand slipped from the wheel. The heavy rain pour made the roads slick, and at my speed, my car didn't have any traction as it barreled into the median, flipping with force, and rolling until it came to a stop.

My body whipped around with the car, but I was thankful to have been wearing my seatbelt, as this definitely would have killed me without it. So much adrenaline was pumping through my body that I couldn't tell what injuries I had from this accident, so I remained still aside from my shaking body and panicked breathing. I was nervous that the shooters were going to come and ensure that I was dead... after all, they seemed to be hellbent on eliminating all witnesses. If they came now, there was nothing I could do to defend myself.

I heard screeching tires, sounding like a vehicle speeding away, which was surprising to me until I heard the melodious chorus of sirens, which were getting closer and closer.

I knew then that I would be okay; that I had survived this incident, and that whoever the shooters were, they had fled before they would end up caught by the police.  As the sirens became loud and the flashing lights were now visible to me, I let the tears I had been trying to push back flow freely from my eyes, running up my forehead as I hung upside-down in my car.

Despite everything going on in my brain at the moment, one thought rang out above all else: What the hell just happened??