Smiles that once filled the classroom began to fade, fear began to levitate over the faces of the students. I knew what scared them, sudden figures began to sprout up over the hill behind the school. The classroom window gave the kids the perfect view of future doom. The cartel knew I was here. Over the intercom came a voice saying, “CODE RED, I REPEAT CODE RED! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!”. “This cannot be happening, this is all my fault,” I thought to myself as I tried to think of something to do. I should’ve known they would find me at work. It was too easy to figure out, especially for those selfish bastards. All I wanted to do was be a hero, I just wanted to stop something I believed was wrong and evil, but because of my actions, an entire middle school full of kids is going to be harmed. I am an idiot for thinking that coming to work even a week after interfering with the cartel, was a good idea. I’ve always known about Carlos, the cartel leader, but I didn’t think that he would do something this malevolent. They were slowly creeping closer and closer to the school. I needed to think of an idea fast. I popped up out of my chair and ran for the door. The teacher I student taught for grappled me down, and screamed, “Where the hell do you think you’re going, we need to stay and be safe in the here!”, I didn’t stop though, I sprinted through the door and reached for my phone to contact my partner, who also student teaches at the school. My plan wasn’t thought out very well because I had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do. But whatever it was going to be it had to be fast, the cartel is almost at the front entrance. 
The closest place to me was the bathroom so I rushed in there and waited for my partner. As I sat there, guilt consumed my body and the thought of kids being murdered haunted me. This was all my fault; I have never felt so much anguish in my life. These innocent children are going to face consequences that I must face, and I can’t let that happen. My partner eventually found me in the bathroom and kneeled with me. “what do we do??? Where do we go from here???” she begged. I didn’t know what to say, all I could think of was how could I do this. My partner was an amazing friend I met in college at Louisville. She was a strong and independent person, who only wanted to see good in the world. She fought for everything she got, and never gave up. We both wanted change in this city that we loved, so we decided to dismantle the cartel’s largest job of the year. We thought we’d be heroes and be praised for ending the reign of Carlos Vasques’ cartel. The first week after we felt unstoppable, nobody could touch us. However, as of the last 10 minutes, I feel more like the bad guy. She was always stronger than me, I have a bit of a soft spot. “we need to act now Kris”, she spouted quickly, “we can still save these kids’ lives, we just need to act right now.”. I was in shock; I didn’t know what to do at the moment. All I could think of was the kids, how can I save the kids. That thought left my mind the moment I head a door open. 
They entered the building. Luckily the bathroom was far down the hall from where they were, so only we could see them. I counted six men, which surprised me that he brought only six. My partner began to stand up, but I quickly brought her back down to reality. “If we attack, it won’t even be a fight with those guns they have”, I whispered. The guns they held were massive rifles the size of my entire body. My partner’s eagerness to fight inspired me but also concerned me. If we fight, they could take all of the kids’ lives too. They slowly inched down the hall looking down separate corridors. They are looking for me. Do I just stay here, or do I go out and stop them? Then I hear, “I know you are here!!! And you know who you are!!! Why don’t you come out here and be a real man?” Anger began to take over my body. Now my partner had to hold me back. I couldn’t believe this man was going to take kids’ lives away just for someone ruining his little pow wow. I still didn’t know what to do though, this was the most difficult thing I have ever decided. Then I thought of what I needed to do. The thought of kids dying for my mistakes was too much, I knew I needed to give myself up. It was the only way to keep this school as safe as possible. I looked to my partner and said, “I need to give them what they came here for.” She knew immediately what I was talking about and held me back. “No... we can find a way around this... you don’t have to go out there like this.” she yelped. Tears began to stream down her face, and I didn’t know what to say. I have never had this kind of effect on someone. Nobody has ever wanted me this bad before. But I knew that I couldn’t let her cries stop me from doing what I knew was right. I had to go out to them. 
I slowly stood up, my body feeling like sand. I had to force myself to walk out towards the cartel members. As soon as I became visible to them, their guns pointed directly at my chest. I screamed, “WAIT! Before you shoot let me say something.”. their guns lowered, and I pushed myself to go up to them. The walk to Carlos and his gang felt like an eternity, I never thought that it would end. During the walk, my mind kept racing about what I would say and do. But I didn’t listen to it, I knew that I had no choice, but to let them have me. As their faces became clearer it was obvious how outraged they were over what I did. Carlos’ face, however, was the most grimaced. Rage flowered over his face and I swear I saw a fire in his eyes. I was even surprised I got as close to them as I did, without them shooting me immediately. Finally, after the longest walk of my life, I made it to the cartel. Before I could say a word, Carlos said, “Are you that stupid to mess with us, and expect us not to find you?” these words made me realize how much of an idiot I was. Coming back to work after screwing up the biggest drug deal this cartel has ever witnessed was a real smart move on my part. All I could say was, “I just wanted to fight for what I believed was right.”. he scolded, “Well in the process of that, an entire middle school is gonna get it because of you.” as soon as he said that my hand reached out to his chest, and I said, “No please don’t do that,” I was amazed that no one even went to grab me or attack me for touching Carlos. I continued, “These kids did nothing wrong; you came here for me not them. Don’t let them be harmed for an idiotic decision I made.”. This comment made him create a confused look. No one has ever tried to reason with him before. He then stared at me for what felt longer than the walk down the hallway. His dark eyes were filled with questions that I would never be able to answer. I thought that maybe I had made a good reason to leave the kids alone. Then he said, “Nah man, these kids gotta go with you bro,” I yelped, “Please, these kids have so much life ahead of them; lives that could be ended today because of you.”. Again, he stared at me, but this time it was much shorter because the staring was interrupted with a loud bang. He shot me in the chest. 
I dropped to the ground, but the fall didn’t hurt. The gun wound didn’t even hurt anymore. As I laid on the cold floor all I could hear were the doors leading to the exit swing open and shut. The cartel left.... they let the kids live. Maybe I actually changed his mind, maybe I changed him. Then I heard the running of footsteps towards me. My partner leaped down onto the ground, placing her hands over my wound with blood pouring all over her. Nothing would help, it was too late to do anything. Her tears fell off her cheeks, and my face caught them. She didn’t say anything, but I could hear her thoughts. She wanted to do something, but she also knew that nothing could be done. I was going to die in this school, but at that moment I realized something. Maybe, after all, I was a hero. My life was a sacrifice for these kids and my partner. Yes, I screwed up major, but this school is now safe. The blood leaving me no longer felt cold, but a new warmth formed. A smile grew across my face, as I noticed what I had accomplished. Maybe I am a hero, that’s all I ever wanted. I began to welcome the blood exiting me and accepted what was to come. Maybe I’m not a screw up in the end. I really am a hero. The lights of the ceiling that hallway was the last thing I saw. I died, but with new pride. I am a hero.