I suddenly felt totally and completely inspired to make another movie last night while watching a, you guessed it, a movie. I haven't made a movie or even felt like making one in what feels like forever.
This is how I ended up spending my lunch period in the film lab. I'm just writing out a script, making plans in my head. I'm, of course, torn as to who should be the producer: Jen or Joey? They've both done such great jobs in the past.
Then again, Joey spends every waking moment with Pacey now. And Jen spends every waking moment with Jack. Maybe if I convince Andie it'll look good to Harvard, she'd produce for me. She's fun and she'd probably be really good at it. Maybe Gretchen? It's a good excuse to spend more time with her.
I look up from my computer as I hear what sounds like gunfire coming from the football field, but it can't be, not in Capeside. Then I hear screaming. Someone is shooting up Capeside High.
I instantly duck under the desk of the computer I'm working on. The film lab...due to filming purposes, has no windows. Whoever thought that one up is a complete ass hat.
All rational thought exits my mind as I hear the door open and shots being fired into the room. There wasn't anyone else in here, I don't think so. I was paying attention. The shooting doesn't stop. I hear computers being shot at, glass shattering all around me. I can honestly say for the first time in my life, that I don't give a rat's ass about my script.
Suddenly, the shooting stops, but I don't move a muscle. I hardly even breathe. I hear footsteps. I'm in the very back corner of the room. I notice my bag on the floor by my legs. I quickly and quietly grab it and tuck it under the desk with me. Maybe they won't see me. I can still hear footsteps. I hold my breath waiting for them to leave. The footsteps seem to be fading. I hear shots again, in the hallway again. They're gone. I glance around my desk, there's glass all over the floor, the computer monitors are smoking. I slowly stand up.
"Hey, is anyone in here?" I call out, breathlessly, hoping to hear a reply.
"I'm over here. Help me please." I see someone huddled behind the cameras. She's stuck. It's a girl from my history class, I don't know her name. I walk over to her trying to avoid the broken glass.
"Are you ok, uh..." I ask her, I can't remember her name.
"It's Kayla and yeah I think so." She tells me as I help her up.
"Dawson." I quickly notice that we are lucky, the room looks like a war zone.
"I know," she says, noticing what I just realized, "what's going on? A school shooting in Capeside?"
"I know what you mean, do you have any idea who the shooters are?" I ask her, as I walk toward the door and lock it, pushing everything I can move in front of it.
"I don't have any idea, I was too scared to look."
"This is one of those times that I really wish I had a cell phone," I chuckle, nervously.
"Here," Kayla hands me her phone. "I'm too shaken up to talk to the police."
I dial the number to the Sheriff's office. I know the number well. The line is busy. People must be finding out what's going on. I decide to call my mom's restaurant.
"Hello...Leery's Fresh Fish." It was Gretchen.
"Gretchen, it's me Dawson...can I talk to my dad? Is he there?"
"Oh my God, Dawson, I'm so glad you're ok." I hear her yell for my dad.
"Dawson, thank God, are you ok?"
"Yes dad, I'm ok. I'm stuck in the film lab. They came in shooting, but I hid and they left. We've locked the door and pushed everything heavy up against it. That should keep the shooters out. Where is Pacey's dad? Is he coming up here?"
"John and Doug are here now. The shooters have the school locked down. Pacey and Drue made it out and Joey called the restaurant, Gretchen talked to her. Gretchen thinks she's hiding out somewhere too. Some other students managed to get away, but most are still inside."
"What about Jen? Jack? Andie? Have you heard from them? Did you call Grams or Mr. McPhee? Bessie?"
"We haven't heard about Jen, Jack or Andie, Dawson. Mrs. Ryan is here and has called Jack and Andie's father, he should be here within the hour and we finally got in touch with Bessie, she and Bodie just walked in. Your mother wants to talk to you. I love you, Dawson."
I can tell my mother's been crying. "Dawson, honey, are you ok?"
"Yes, mom, I'm fine. I stuck in the film lab, but we're safe. I'm worried about Joey and Jen and Jack and Andie. Can I talk to Pacey?"
"Sure, honey, here he is, I love you."
"Dawson?" He's confused, understandable.
"Pacey, I'm so glad you're ok and I'm sorry about everything that's gone down between us the past couple months. Something like this really puts your priorities in order."
"Dawson, I'm so glad to hear you say that. I'm sorry too. Man, I'm glad you're ok. I'm worried about Joey though. You know how she panics."
"Pace, trust me, she's gonna be ok. She's brave. Just tell your dad and Doug to get us out of here."
"I will, man. They're working on it. Stay safe, she still loves you too. You know?"
"I know." I hang up. Kayla is sitting in a chair, hugging her knees, sobbing quietly.
"It's gonna be ok. Sheriff Witter is working on a plan right now to get us out of here." I sit down next to her. I don't know how to comfort her, I'm scared too.