Not Enough Room for Two

G~ 6:59 PM 0

The day started just like any other day. The sun was shining, the breeze was refreshing and I was on my way to work. My work study job turned into a summer job, so that I could avoid going home. I had lived at home for 18 years and I dreaded going back. However, as the day started just like any other day. Someone had other plans about how the rest of this day would play out.

“Good morning,” I said to no one in particular, but directed at just about everyone in the office. There were mumbles of good morning back, but there was a clear contrast to the energy and enthusiasm I attempted to project compared to the tired responses. I picked up my work for the day and headed back to my small work space. There was only a limited number of tasks that I could do, and they were the same thing every day.

I settled into my normal spot, plugged in my headphones, and got to work. My brain was practically turned off as I worked, which was normal as I was responsible for scanning loads of papers. Our office was make all our records digital. It was great for convenience, but it was still bad for the environment. However, I wasn’t too interested in that at the moment as I allowed myself to merely the sounds of the violin and orchestra wash over me while staring blankly at the screen as paper after paper went through the scanner.

A strange buzzing sound interrupted my solace, and caused me to pluck out my headphones to check and make sure that they weren’t clogged with ear wax or something. There were the normal bits of wax, but not nearly enough to cause any issues. I cleaned them out regardless and placed one bud inside my ear to check for sound and quality before doing the same with the other. There did not seem to be any issues so I resumed listening to music and linking the scanned files to the correct student record. It wasn’t long before the buzzing started up again, but this time I tried to ignore it. Perhaps it was just the song or the earbuds were on their last leg. Whatever it was it wasn’t too distracting. As time went by the buzzing grew louder and louder. It reached the point where I could no longer concentrate. I ripped out my ear buds and threw them into the trash. It was no I was wishing that I actually carried my backups with me.

After my irritation subsided a bit, it was then that I noticed that the buzzing sound was still there and getting louder. Now, I was thinking there was something wrong with the building. I pulled up the instant messenger and sent a quick message to my supervisor. As I was about to send it, I realized that her tag said she was away and had been away for some time. Weird, I thought to myself and then proceeded to get back to work. Maybe some work was going on in the building today that I did not notice before.

I finished up my stack and headed back into the main office to collect some more work for me to do. I could have probably gotten away with mulling over my completed work for a bit to waste some time, but I needed more work to distract me from the incessant buzzing sound. As I came back into the main office area, I noticed that everyone was looking up front for some reason, but when I entered all heads turned to me. It seemed odd, and I hated being on the spotlight, so I turned quickly back to my work area and started putting my completed work in one place and then reached for another stack that needed to be scanned and linked.

“Don’t move,” a voice behind me said.

I instinctively froze, and the buzzing sound started to get louder and louder. My head started pounding from my increased heart rate to the harsh buzzing seemingly now inside my head it was so loud.

“You need to stop moving and come sit down over here.”

I was still unable to discern who exactly was speaking, but I turned around slowly to finally see who was doling out orders. Well, maybe I didn’t see him exactly as my eyes instantly focused on the weapon in his hand. It was some type of rifle; however, I knew that it could mow me and probably everyone in the office down in a matter of moments. I froze, and was unable to take my eyes off the gun in front of me. My heart was racing faster than it had ever beat before while threatening to beat right out of my chest. The buzzing became was soon accompanied by a pounding that threatened to overtake all my other senses.

Thankfully, a sudden unexpected calm came over me and I unconsciously crossed the office to the only seat available, which was as small stool. I hated the stool because of how short it was and how it hurt my knees, but I didn’t pay attention to that at the moment. The world around me seemed to be in a vacuum. There was no sound and even light seemed a bit distorted. I had no idea what the guy with the gun was saying, but he seemed pretty agitated by his erratic movements. Suddenly, he pointed the gun towards one of the office workers and I could feel something ripping out of my chest.

“I thought you would never let me through.”

I was now a passenger in my head looking at the world from inside rather than being on the outside. Of course, only I noticed it. “Please, just don’t hurt anyone, too badly.” I mentioned that last part because there was no way that the one who lived inside me would ever not hurt anyone. I could only hope that he managed to keep himself partially contained. I would rather not have people see me as some crazed monster hellbent on causing destruction.

“I’ll take down the bad guys, but I’ll definitely have fun while doing it.”

It felt good to finally be released. It sucked being a passenger inside the head of the most boring and mundane person seemingly on this accursed planet. Let’s see what I get to take care of today.

Whoever this sonofabitch should never point a weapon at one who this guy considered his friends. He could feel the powerful emotions surging to the surface and empowering him. A feral cry ripped from his lips and the intruder turned with a startled expression. The distraction worked, but it was too late for the intruder as he was already upon him and taking him down to the floor. He plunged the pin into his arm as he kicked the gun out of his hand. The pin was by no means sharp, but just an ordinary office pen that he swiped as he pounced on his prey. It took considerable force to shove it into the man’s arm, and the pain was surely excruciating.

His mind though was already moving on to the next step. He snatched up the gun. “Alright, everyone needs to move to the back of the office, now!’ He yelled out. It was strange trying to command everyone in an office where he was the lowest on the totem pole. They just stared at him with relatively blank looks. “There are more gunmen in this building, so I suggest you take cover in the back of the office. I would do it now,” and as if in response to his words, gunfire ripped through the building.
Everyone started panicking, but at least they all ran to the back of the building for shelter. Now, he could get to work.

It would have been more fun to merely pin the intruder to the wall with more pins, but that might have been a bit excessive. Instead, he merely secured him with the man’s own coat while also removing the mask so that he could be identified.

In all his infinite stupidity, he stepped out of the office and a bullet hit him in the shoulder. Blinking with confusion, he fell back into the office while watching the blood pour out. Damnit, the kid really like this shirt and though he loathed to admit it, he liked it as well. He didn’t waste any more time as he scurried behind the office reception desk. He listened intently as he heard the steps getting closer and closer. Just as they stopped, he popped over the desk and fired of a few bursts of rounds from the gun. His aim was pretty good and his estimation of where the gunman was even better. He was dropped quickly, and then he dragged the gunman next to his friend and secure him as well.

“Allen, what are you doing out here. It isn’t safe.” He didn’t have to bother turning around as he could sense the other office worker creeping up behind him.

“I can’t just let you fight these guys by yourself.’

“You can and you will or someone will get hurt. I can’t protect you if you are trying to get yourself killed.” He turned and then heaved a sigh. It did seem strange that a young college student was more prepared to face this that someone that was considerably older. “Fine, here take this and make sure that if someone comes into the back that shouldn’t be, then shoot them.” I handed him the hand gun as it seemed more his speed. He looked uncertain, but then his eyes grew wide as he saw the blood blossoming onto my shirt.

“You’re been hit.”

“Yeah, what else is new?” I didn’t have time for this.

“Wait, you can’t go out there like this.”

“Are you going to stop me?” I gave him the death glare and marched out of the office. I had to run because I had no idea what was happening on the floors below me, but just as I reached the door another intruder was barreling through.

We were too close to shoot each other and ended up grappling with one another instead. There was no issue as he tossed the gun away and started in with his hands. However, the intruder got a lucky swing off and hit him in his injured shoulder. Pain lanced through him causing him to fall back just a bit. It was the space he needed as he managed to swipe the other man’s gun away. The fight didn’t last much longer as the intruder was only really confident and only competent with a weapon. He contemplated carrying him and depositing him with the others, but he was too heavy. He instead just kicked his unconscious form down the stairs. It would probably be best if everyone evacuated the building as something seemed off. He quickly ducked into the office opposite the stairs and grabbed a handful of pens from the desk.

He raced back to the room, but stopped right before the back office. “Allen, I’m coming in, so please don’t shoot.” He carefully, put a hand out first and there were no shots fired so he stepped inside. “Everyone needs to evacuate the building immediately. There is a fire in the building and everyone needs to get out. I will secure a path down front and Allen here will take care of the rear. I have no idea what the situation is like so I suggest everyone maintain order.”

He didn’t bother waiting to see if anyone was following, but he did pull the fire alarm just in case.” There wasn’t an actual fire, but if his suspicions were correct then it might be worse. As everyone was silently filing out of the room, he pulled Allen aside.

“When you get outside, tell the police waiting to have a bomb squad ready.” He patted him on the back and then moved to the front. The stairs were clear and he watched as everyone practically ran to freedom. He hung back and gave Allen a firm squeeze. There were no police waiting outside or anything. Something serious was going on. “Get them as far away as possible.” Pushing the reluctant Allen forward, he disappeared back into the stairwell.

The basement was the best choice and time had been passing. He could only hope that he was in time. Sure enough, the crew was in the basement. Only a few outliers had been dispatched to cover the other floors. He probably should have grabbed the other gun as this was probably did not have enough rounds to take them all down. Without a second thought, he down the tow that were crouched over some device before tossing his gun away and launching himself at another. A pen was already in his hand as he plunged into the startled man, but then quickly swung him around as the last man unloaded his gun into his former partner.

“That was not my fault.” He said with a smile