[u][b]Sophia and Doris[/b][/u]

"Sophia, the gun," Doris said, reserving her tears for tonight's prayers. There were so many to spill tears for and so few tears left. But she still had the little girl and she was worth pushing on for. They didn't have time for grief, they only had time to get out of here. Out of this stupid school Doris didn't even want to come into in the first place. But she was old and no one listened to her but the girl. 

The gun in question had slid out of James' hand and across the floor, clear of the horde chomping on his body. Sophia took off the second Doris said it, unquestioning that she could make it and that it was the right thing to do. Doris saw things Sophia couldn't and the second she spoke the frozen little girl was gone and action replaced her. 

She scooped up the gun lightly and held it the way James had shown her. Without fear of it, 'because that's what will kill you.' 

[quote]"HEY! UP HERE! THIS WAY!"[/quote]

Sophia passed the gun to Doris and then reached for her hand. It had become a comfortable reaction to danger, holding the retired teacher's hand. It seemed to provide comfort for both parties if truth be told. And together they were moving toward the shouting stranger before Angie could voice the command to do it. Some of the others needed her direction the way Sophia needed Doris. 

The stairs would prove difficult for Doris, not because of her mobility but because of her heart. If she pushed it too far, too fast, she would become a ticking time bomb. Sophia pulled Doris as much as she climbed the stairs herself. They would make it. They had to.