Then there was a loud Bang and everything stopped.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Everyone ducked. No one knew where the sound came from. Smoke permeated the air. It was too thick to see. To dense to breathe. Officers had begun evacuating the gym. Nikki could hear phrases like “smoke bomb” and “incendiary device”. She immediately grabbed Mia and guided her towards the door. Nikki had to be sure Mia was safe.
After everyone was outside, her gaze was drawn towards the roof. She could see the officers moving away from the ledge, towards the door. She assumed they were going to search the school. Presumably, Michael would be located near where the device went off. They would make sure there was no threat to the students. Maybe they were thinking that Michael wasn’t just suicidal, but homicidal. Never once had the thought crossed Nikki’s mind. Michael never seemed angry to her. Lonely and sad maybe, but never like he would hurt anyone.
Mia felt Nikki leave her arms and stride towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Mia held onto her arm, stopping her in place.
“He is going to the rooftop. I have to help.”
Mia yelled out for her to stop, but Nikki took off into the school.
She ran passed the sheriff at the entrance. Racing down the hall, she pushed the door to the stairwell open. The officers from the roof were on the stairs. They looked to be splitting up to cover both floors. She raced straight to the roof. They all knew her from the briefings and did not try to stop her.
The door creaked as Nikki opened it. Michael stood about ten feet from the ledge. She couldn’t fathom how he had gotten up here without anyone seeing him.
“Michael, don’t do this,” Nikki yelled.
Michael jumped, clearly startled as he turned to see who the voice came from.
“Coach, what are you doing up here?”
“Trying to help you. What are you doing up here Michael?”
“Why does it matter? No one cares. Everyone will be happier when I’m gone,” he started to turn back to the ledge.
“That isn’t true Michael,” Nikki said trying to buy time. Searching her mind for the right words.
“Don’t tell me what is true! I know my life,” he yelled at her.
“So tell me about it. Talk to me. Tell me why?” Nikki thought, if she could just keep him talking. If she could get him away from the ledge, maybe there would be a chance.
“Why? You want to know why?”
“Yes. What led you here? You used to be so happy. What happened?”
Michael looked at her like he wanted to cry.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he walked towards the ledge again.
“Try me,” Nikki rushed to stop him. Terrified he would go through with it. “I remember you as a freshman. Do you know that? You were happy all the time and studied so hard. I was sure that one day I would get the chance to say, ‘I knew him. I taught him.’ What happened to that happy kid? What changed?” Please hear me.
Michael stopped in his tracks and turned towards her to respond.
“What happened? My step-father beats my mother and me every day. I get bullied at school. I have bad grades, so I can’t get into a good school. I have no friends. There is nothing in this life for me. Nothing worth living for and no one that cares.” He took another step towards the parking lot. His face turned to overlook the ledge. Staring down at the audience now present.
“That isn’t true Michael. This is just high school. Everyone is unhappy. We can report the abuse by your step-father. Keep him from hurting you again. You will make new friends when you go to college. In ten years, you won’t even remember the names of anyone you went to school with. Tell me who picks on you and I will make sure it never happens again. You still have a year left. I will work with you every day to make sure you get into a good school. Ms. Sanchez in guidance is down there wishing she could have helped you sooner. Michael all you have to do is let me help you. We can find you a temporary place to stay, away from your step-father. Please, don’t do this. If you jump, you will be stealing the light I used to see in you from the world. I still believe in you.” Please, believe me. “Michael just take my hand. We will go down and fix this together. I promise, I will never give up on you. Just come down from there.”
Michael stood there looking down at everyone staring back at him. He was shaking his head. His hands on the ledge.
“No! No, you’re wrong! Not one of them would even care if they didn’t have to clean up the mess.”
“I would have known. Michael, I would miss you. Will miss you, if you do this. I care. Do you know how many people are looking for you? Why everyone is searching for you?” Nikki didn’t realize she had begun to cry. “Do you remember the boys fighting in the bleachers today?” Michael shook his head in acknowledgement.
She knew she couldn’t stop trying. Every moment she bought, was a moment that he was alive. It was another chance to reach him. It couldn’t be too late. She refused to believe that. Nikki ignored the terrifying sensation spreading throughout her. She couldn’t let the fear overtake her. Couldn’t focus on the what ifs.
“I was walking down the bleachers, when I noticed your notebook. I was trying to see what you were interested in, something for us to talk about. When I saw what you were drawing, I was saddened that such a wonderful person would think about such horrible things. I was concerned about your wellbeing. When I couldn’t find you, we looked in your locker and I found the notebook. Michael, we have been looking for you for hours. I have been worried about you all day. Worried I wouldn’t find you in time.” She didn’t think he could fathom the pain she was feeling. Her remorse for missing the signs. “I will always notice you. I will always care about you. Please, don’t do this. Please, step away from the ledge. I’m sorry.”
Michael just stared at her. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. Clearly confused by her words. As if she had told him the impossible was true. Up was down, unicorns were real, life was actually a result of a twelve year old’s sugar induced coma.
“You heard me. I’m sorry. I knew something had changed, but I didn’t say anything. I should’ve been there for you. I failed you. We all did. Let me be here now.”
Nikki took a tentative step towards Michael.
“Please, take my hand. Come talk to Ms. Sanchez. We will get in touch with child protective services to keep him from you. I won’t let him lay a hand on you ever again.”
She took another step towards Michael. He looked back at the ledge, but didn’t budge. “Michael.”
Nikki felt the wind whipping around her. She could now see over the edge of the build, see everyone looking up at them. Every face shocked except one. All except Mia. Her tear streaked face could be seen, even at this distance. Nikki saw the fear in her eyes. A tiny terrified, crying, beautiful ant.
“Please. Let me help you,” Nikki repeated as she stared into the uncertain eyes. Willing Michael to see reason, when all reason seemed to be lost. She didn’t know how long she waited. She didn’t want to push too hard. At the same time she feared it wasn’t enough. Was it too little, too late? Would Michael ever trust anyone enough to let them help?
Nikki looked into the almost black eyes. Facing the lost look on his face, Nikki deduced that he hadn’t decided yet. She took another step, arm still outstretched. Hoping against hope that Michael wasn’t just trying to build up his nerve to jump. That she didn’t cause Mia more pain. That he wasn’t too far gone to reach. Nikki waited what felt like forever. How long had she been up there?
Finally, she felt his hand grasp hers and she pulled him into a hug.
“I got you. It’s going to be okay.” She held him close and wish away all the hurt. The pain that had led him to this place. If only life was so simple.
What is she thinking? Who runs into a building after a bomb goes off? What if she is killed? Mia saw Michael standing on the ledge now. Everyone had backed up just in case. Then Nikki stepped into view. Oh, thank goodness. Somehow, she had Michael
looking at her more than the ledge. Mia was chanting in her head. Please don’t let him jump. Don’t let her get hurt. She saw Nikki take another tentative step towards Michael, her hand outstretched. Mia couldn’t hear anything Nikki was saying, but he was now almost completely turned around.
Please be careful. Mia looked around. Where are all the sheriff’s officers? Why aren’t they on the roof too? Why is Nikki the only one up there with Michael? Do they even know he is up there with her? When Michael went into Nikki’s arms. The knot in Mia’s stomach finally uncoiled and she was able to breathe again.
Nikki walked out of the school with Michael. Halting the officers as they tried to apprehend him. Placing her body in the way and motioned for Mia to come over.
“Sheriff Shilling, please, let me talk to you before you interrogate him. I will explain everything that I know and you can determine the best course of action.”
She could tell he was thinking it over. Staring skeptically at Michael.
“Michael will stay here with Ms. Sanchez. She’s a counselor here. You can leave an officer with them if it makes you feel better.”
Begrudgingly, he finally agreed. Richard was trying to help the officers maintain order. Shuffling the students back into the gym. Away from the very private conversation of what to do with a Michael.
“Alright. Everyone go back inside. There is nothing to see here,” Richard yelled to the crowd.
The school was airing out and the smoke was dissipating.
Nikki turned to Michael, “Will you go with Ms. Sanchez to her office? I will meet you there in a minute. I just want to talk to the sheriff first.”
He was searching her eyes for something. Staring straight through her; like he could see into her soul. After today’s event, Nikki was sure it was more than a little bruised and possibly lost forever. She had no idea what to say. No clue what it was Michael would see.
“I promised Michael. I said I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you and I meant it.” He must have accepted she was telling the truth, because he turned to follow Mia inside.
Nikki brought the sheriff to her office and explained everything Michael told her on the rooftop. She asked that a representative evaluate his living condition. That he be allowed to stay somewhere else for the time being.
“Sheriff, I think he has been through enough already. I don’t want him to have to go to a psychiatric facility. He doesn’t need medication. He needs help. Real help. He was in a bad situation and didn’t see a way out.”
“I understand what you’re saying coach. Of course we will take the household problems into account, but he still needs to go for an evaluation. Its protocol due to the… circumstances. Does he have any relatives he can stay with when he gets released?”
“I don’t know.” Nikki searched her mind. Willing a solution to come to mind, but there was nothing. She had no idea if there was someone else.
“I don’t want to have to place him in a foster system. He is seventeen. It isn’t like he will get adopted and I don’t think he will get the care and attention he needs in a home. Let me talk to him and see what we can do.”
“Okay. Sheriff, if at all possible, I would like to know what happens. Please, I’m all this kid has.”
He shook his head and they walked together towards Mia’s office.
Shilling went into take Michael’s statement and Mia came out to Nikki.
“Are you okay? You scared me half to death.”
Mia was running her fingers through Nikki’s hair, over her arms and her back. Nikki wasn’t sure if she was checking for missing body parts, injuries or just trying to make sure she was really there.
Nikki stilled Mia’s hands, “I’m fine. How is he?”
“Pretty shaken up. I don’t know how you did it. How you got through to him. He is pretty lost, full of despair. There is so much he needs help with. I’m surprised he held on this long.”
“Yeah, about that.”
How could she explain everything that transpired on the rooftop? Everything that she felt as she feared the worst. How he had broken her.
“What?” Mia asked.
“I kind of told him that you and I would help him. Michael has home problems for sure, but he is also having problems at school. He is gonna need a lot of help getting into college. He wants to do better, I can see it. He just needs help finding the way,” Nikki held her breath and waited for the blow up her assumption would have caused.
Mia felt completely and utterly overwhelmed. This woman had guided her through the woods and out of the dark. Helped her every step of the way and never gave up. Had more patience than anyone she had ever met. Now, she watched as Nikki had the same effect on Michael. Mia was trying not to cry. There was too much to do. She couldn’t be herself here. She had to be the detached counselor. It was the only way she would get through the night. Of course, with Nikki standing in front of her, it was hard to be rational.
Mia gave in to her emotions, if only for a moment. Throwing her arms around Nikki. Pulling her into an embrace, reaffirming that she was here. Kissing her just to feel he spark. To be sure it wasn’t a dream.
“I’m so happy you’re safe.”
She kissed Nikki again as she released her from the hug. Then Mia slapped her on the shoulder.
“That’s for running off into danger. What were you thinking? I could have killed you myself.”
Nikki was smiling and it only made Mia’s frown deeper. Mia was so frazzled, she just wanted to hit Nikki again. To slap some sense into her. Her mind must have gotten the wires crossed because instead of slapping Nikki, Mia kissed her.
“Does this mean you forgive me?”
“No.” Nikki kissed the pout from Mia’s face just as Principal Wood walked in.
They both turned at the sound of the door opening. Mia blushed and backed away from Nikki.
“Sir I can explain. We were just... Well you see what happened was…”
“Mia, it’s okay,” Nikki said with a laugh. Mia looked between the two and noticed Wood’s all knowing smile.
“What?” Mia asked turning back to Nikki, “What did you tell him?” Confusion and worry covered Mia’s face. How could Richard know what was going on between them when Mia didn’t know? Why was she surprised that Nikki went behind her back again. After everything…how could she?
Nikki saw the thoughts forming in Mia mind. Knew what she must think. Maybe, with Richard here, she will hear me out.
“I didn’t tell him anything. He just knew. Evidently Richard didn’t just know that I would want you as my counselor. He knew I would want you. Apparently he has a knack for matchmaking and truth seeking.”
Mia didn’t know what to say. She thought Richard would be furious. That she would get fired. A lot of schools had a no fraternization policy.
Shilling walked out and motioned all three of them to enter.
“Go ahead Michael,” Shilling instructed once the door was securely in place. Nikki felt like a sardine with the five of them packed into Mia’s small office. Michael lifted his shirt to reveal the bruises that covered his torso.
“Oh my god.” Mia covered her mouth with her hands.
“Did he do this?” Nikki asked. Rat bastard.
Michael was on the brink of tears and shook his head.
“Reed, I’m willing to hear your ideas.”
“Michael, is there anyone else you could stay with? An aunt or grandparent? Anyone? I’m sure the sheriff agrees that we don’t want you going home.”
“There is no one. It’s just my mom and me.”
Nikki looked at Mia begging for forgiveness. Please understand. She could see the pain in Mia’s eyes and the tears that threatened to spill over. Forgive me.
Nikki turned back to Michael, “You can stay with me. If it’s okay with Sheriff Shilling.”
“Nikki this is a lot to take on. Are you sure?” Richard asked.
Nikki walked forward, “If it’s alright with you Michael. I have the space and it is
just me. No pets. I have plenty of room for you.”
Nikki didn’t look at Mia’s, she couldn’t. She didn’t want to see the contempt. It took Michael a moment before he seemed to comprehend. When he did, the reaction was instantaneous. Michael leaped at Nikki, pulling her into a hug as tears ran down his face.
“Okay. Here is what we are going to do. Michael, I need to take pictures and get a formal statement from you to document the abuse. You will have to go to the hospital for an evaluation. They will check you for broken bones and you have speak with a psychiatrist. I will talk to the child services representative to see if this is a possibility. Reed, you will have to talk to them also. They will most likely do a house visit to make sure it is suitable living conditions. This is not going to be easy, but I’m sure we can make our case.”
Shilling looked to everyone for their nods of approval.
“Michael they have to talk to you about today and your notebook at the hospital. You might be there a couple days. I will work hard to make sure when you are released, it is only to me. Sheriff, is there a way we can keep his step-father from visiting in the hospital?”
“I will make sure the hospital is aware of the situation and he is not allowed to visit. If you are awarded custody, we can file a restraining order. But for the time being, we will keep a look out on the hospital, just in case. I don’t see him trying to do anything at the facility. Too public. I don’t think he would want an audience to be able to testify.”
Nikki shook the sheriff’s hand, “Thank you, for everything.”
“I’ll be in touch. We can get your statement tomorrow.”
Nikki hugged Michael again.
“I will come see you tomorrow, okay. Just remember this is a temporary stay. You will be out of there in no time. They are just trying to make sure you get the proper care and help that you need going forward. I will take care of everything else.”
Michael looked into Nikki’s eyes, “I trust you.”
Trusting Again Page 22