Michael smiled at Billy's words; they meant he would stay with them and all he truly needed to convince anyone was time. Unfortunately, it wasn't with them and some hell was about to break loose. Billy's speech bought them a little time, but...in the end, it would only make things worse.<br/><br/>"<strong>No one's answering!</strong>" screamed a panicked girl after her eighth call to 911.<strong>"They can't be all dead, they just <em>can't</em></strong><br/><br/>A chant began from the shade of a nearby palm tree as a young freshman stared blankly at the empty street,<strong>"This isn't happening, this isn't happening, this isn't happening."</strong>He barely flinched as a reckless teen almost hit him with her pink truck, the muttered chant continuing unabated.<br/><br/><strong>"Jack," </strong>Michael said in a deceptively calm voice, though his shoulders and posture had tensed. The cane lifted from where it had been supporting the blind man's weight, now held like a fencing sword.<strong>"Would you please escort Billy to his car to retrieve his bow? Elizabeth? You should stay with me." </strong><br/><br/><strong>"Come back!"</strong>a male voice shouted from the other side of the parking lot as an old, blue corolla went speeding out into the street, scraping a shiny silver convertible.<strong>"Adam! You're my <em>ride</em>!"</strong><br/><br/>Student agitation was mounting, especially from the two bus fulls of kids who had actually made it to school. How were they supposed to get home? Some of the younger ones were crying, a few kids still dialed repeatedly their home and emergency numbers, almost as in shock. More shouting started as a fight broke out in the quad, though it was distant and the words indistinct. A few still maintained their calm, not all people Michael hoped would join them. They stood in small knots, talking quietly and occasionally sneering at those around them who were panicking. Jack and Lance would recognized many of the bullies they had dealt with over the years and their hangers on and Elizabeth the sports teams. If watched enough, they seemed to be planning or plotting, but were clearly not interested in going with Michael.