Chapters 26, 27 and 28

                                    

                                          
Chapter 26
                          

                          
They were going to get in. She was going to be released outside the Wall. She had failed Buie. She had failed the city. Jordan’s arms and back screamed at her as she held onto the steel door handle, quite literally, for her life.
                          
Jerrick was next to her. His arrival and immediate help meant the world to her. For a moment she thought she had a chance however, as additional security guards arrived, her hope faded.
                          
Kelly’s attempt to lock the door failed. Now Owen was hammering the desk like a madman, demolishing the control panel. To what end Jordan didn’t know. It didn’t matter after all. She was losing her grip. She was done. As Jordan felt her fingers slip off the cool metal of the door handle; she witnessed a miracle. With a loud click that could be heard above the guards yelling and her and Jerrick’s own grunts, the door locked. Jordan took a step back stunned.  Her whole body quivered.  Jerrick fell to his knees breathing hard.
                          
“There!” Owen said from behind the desk. “That will hold them for at least a while.  The glass is paneled to withstand nearly anything. They won’t be breaking it down with batons. Now, what is this all about?”
                          
Jordan looked up at Owen through wild eyes. She didn’t know where to start. She looked out the window. Past the army of security guards beating at the glass doors and yelling threats, she could see Buie’s limp form on the street.
                          
He was curled up in the fetal position, arms covering his head and face as blows from the surrounding guards found their mark. Even from this distance she knew the crimson splattering around her friend was blood. He had sacrificed himself for her. She refused to allow his sacrifice to be in vain.
                          
“Owen, Jerrick, Kelly,” she looked at all of them in turn, “Thank You.I’ll explain everything, I promise. I need to gather everyone first.”
                          
       Jerrick was on his feet. “What do you need me to do?”
                          
“I’ll make an announcement over the com to gather in the cardio room. Can you and Owen make sure everyone is there?” Jordan looked outside. She had time; how much time was anyone’s guess.  Solomon Archer would be there soon. He would find a way inside.
                          
Jerrick and Owen were off at a sprint. Their loyalty and friendship brought tears to Jordan’s eyes but she refused to cry. Whatever happened, there would be plenty of time to cry later.
                          
Jordan ran behind the smoking receptionist’s desk. Kelly was still there shaking. Her mouth was moving but no words came out. “Kelly? Kelly, I need you to show me how the com works, if it still works.  I need to make an announcement.” Kelly stared at her with a blank face.  She looked at Jordan as if she were speaking an entirely different language. Jordan didn’t have time for this. Grabbing Kelly by both of her arms, Jordan took her firmly and looked straight into her terrified eyes. “Listen, I know you’re scared.  I’m scared too but I need your help. Kelly, I need you right now.”
                          
Kelly half nodded. “There,” she pointed to a portion of the control panel where a black button stood next to the phone. “Press it and speak into the receiver. Let it go when you’re done.” Jordan did her best to smile. She knew how terrifying this was for Kelly. “Thank you.” Jordan pressed the button and put the receiver to her mouth. “Everyone, this is Jordan Shepherd.  Please meet me in the cardio room right away. This is an emergency.”
                          
Since Owen and Jerrick’s disappearance up the stairs a steady trickle of both physical educators and the city’s citizens were making their way into the lobby. Curiosity regarding the banging and yells brought them. Confusion and fear kept them rooted to the floor, unsure of how to react.