Screams rose over the crack and crash of the falling metal. I watched helplessly as the four guys toppled backward off the top of the bleachers.
“Help me!”
“Look out!”
“What is happening?”
“Please—help!”
The panicked shouts forced me from my stupor. I darted forward to help—and saw the guys on the team running in front of me.
Clark and another kid had Nate by the arms. They were bent over the fallen benches, tugging him gently, all three of them talking at once. Nate grimaced, his eyes shut, his face twisted in pain.
The two boys freed Nate from the wreckage. He shook himself and staggered forward. “My ankle—,” he choked out. “I think it’s broken.”
Aaron and the freshman girl had been on the bottom bench. They jumped away when the bleachers started to collapse. Now they were working together, pulling kids out.
Kids were scattered over the gym floor, sprawling on their backs, huddled in small groups. Kids who were safe were crying and hugging one another.
“Shark? Where are you?” I called, finally finding my voice. But my words were drowned out by the shouts and cries from all around.
“Shark?”
The benches had crunched together. It looked like a ragged mountain of metal. I grabbed on to the edge of a low bench and started to pull myself up the bleachers.
I saw Shark above me. On his knees, waving to me.
“Are you okay?” I shouted, cupping my hands around my mouth.
“Yeah. Help me down,” he replied. “I’m . . . dizzy, I guess. I feel shaky.”
I took his hand and started to guide him down to the floor.
“A curse on Shadyside High . . .”
Nikki’s words suddenly came back to me.
I heard sirens outside. Someone had called 911. Help was on the way.
“Is everyone out?” Coach Murphy was shouting, running frantically back and forth in front of the fallen bleachers. “Did everyone get out safe?”
Shark grabbed my arm. “Nikki!” he cried.
I searched the gym floor. I didn’t see her.
“Nikki? Nikki?” Shark ran back to the bleachers, shouting her name. “Nikki? Where are you?”
I saw her before he did.
My hands shot up to my mouth to stop my scream.
I stared down into the bent metal. Stared at Nikki squeezed under the benches. Her arms pressed to her sides.
“Nikki? Nikki?”
I heard Shark’s shouts somewhere to my left.
I started to wave frantically. But I couldn’t speak.
I could only wave, my whole body trembling, and stare down at Nikki. Her face—crushed beneath the metal bench. Her face . . . crushed and broken.
Her skull smashed in. Blood running down her blond hair. One eyeball hanging loose.