Locked In

October 27, 3030 9:00 a.m.         Time stops.         My ear ring, unable to hear anything but my heavy breathing. My heart pounds, jumping straight to my throat. My cheeks are wet and I realize that tears are streaming down my face. I don't think I've ever felt pain like this and I'm not even wounded.          Bennett collapses to the ground and I let out a piercing wail as I drop to my knees. My hands hover over his body, shaking violently. He isn't moving.          "Shame." President Darling tuts. "Too bad all things must come to an end."         Rage pulses through my body. I lift my head, glaring daggers into his skull, praying looks could kill. Darlington aims his gun at me.          "You know, I knew there was something special in you, Scarlett," He says, waving his gun a bit. "I've known since the first day we met. I'm sure you remember, no? You threatened my daughter."         "Too bad she's dead."         Anger flashes in his eyes at my words. Nevertheless, he continues his monologue. "You threatened a Darlington and never cared about what consequences may occur. My whole family line has all the power. It's my duty to continue that legacy."         "By murdering thousands of innocent people and enslaving thousands more?" I growl.          Darlington laughs. "As I said: all things must come to an end. This was the only way to set things back to the way they were." He cocks the gun and places his finger on the trigger. "It was such a pleasure to get to know you, Miss Anderson. Such a shame it has to end this way for you."         Click.         Darlington furrows his brow, pulling the trigger again.         Click. Click.         He's out of bullets.         I seize the window of opportunity and attack. I tackle him to the ground, knocking the gun out of his hand. He struggles against me as we wrestle. A sickening crack sounds through the air when a single punch from me breaks his nose. Darlington finally stumbles away, using a nearby desk to pull himself up.          "I guess you should've trained too, sir," I say. "The first thing we learned was to count our bullets." I swing my leg and kick him in the side, knocking him off his feet. "I still have one bullet left." I grab my gun off the floor and aim it at Darlington's head. "I'll make sure not to miss this time."         "Wait--"         BANG!        No more sounds come from President Darlington. Blood pools around his head as he lays there, lifeless. I collapse to my knees, finally able to breathe. The silence is nearly deafening. All I want to do is rest. But not yet, I have a job to finish.          I stand, searching everywhere for the control panel. My eyes scan the room and land on a closet, the one place I haven't looked. A chain and lock on it prevent anyone from getting in. I grab Bennett's rifle, using the butt of the gun to break the lock.          I nearly cry in relief when I see the control panel. There are a few switches, keyholes, and several buttons, lit and blinking various colors. A large red button is encased in a glass box, right in the middle. How cliché. Using the rifle once more, I smash the glass and hit the button. A loud whirring sound erupts from outside. Praying it worked, I check outside the window. The barrier slowly shuts down, starting from the top.          I hear a sharp intake of air behind me. I freeze, fearing that maybe President Darlington wasn't actually dead.          "Scarlett," a voice rasps.         I whirl around and see Bennett panting. He's staring up at the ceiling. "Bennett!" I rush over to him and take his hand in mine. "Hey, I'm here."         "Did you do it? Did you shut down the barrier?"         I nod, tears brimming my eyes. "I did. Darlington is dead. We can get out of here, Bennett. It's over."         Bennett shakes his head. "No. It's just you now."         "What do you mean? I-I can get you out of here. I..."         "Scarlett, it's too late. Go get Karter and Chloe and get the hell out of here."         "Bennett, don't talk like that. You're going to be fine."         Bennett's breathing becomes raspier. "I love you, Scarlett."         I place my hand on his cheek. "I love you, Bennett." I place a light kiss on his lips. He manages to smile before he takes his final breath. I swallow hard, not allowing myself to cry. "I love you." I squeeze his hand, kiss his forehead, then close his eyes. "I love you."          I allow myself a second to grieve, but soon I find myself forcing myself to my feet. I carry myself in a daze to the nurse's office. I find Chloe and Karter there, lying on the floor. Darlington must have caught them off guard. My heart heaves as I whisper my goodbyes and apologies. I stumble my way out of the school, the cool air hitting my lungs hard. I pass by Madison and Ashton, trying not to stop for too long. My legs push into a run and I don't stop, not even when my lungs begin to burn and my feet begin to ache. My body begs me to stop, but I don't. Not when I'm this close.         I slow down as I near the edge of the city. The barrier, which once reflected the city to make it look like it never ended, is no longer there. A field stretches for miles, continuing on for what seems like forever. The wheat reaches my waist.          I take one step forward, inhaling the sweet air in relief.         I escaped.

The End