Chapter 2 - WHO HIT WHO FIRST
Security arrived in less than twenty seconds.
To Claire, it felt like twenty years.
Vanessa stumbled into the hallway clutching her cheek. "She slammed me into the lockers. She hit me. Look at my face!"
A security guard named Ben stepped between them. "Everybody stay where you are."
"I'm staying with my daughter," Claire said.
Vanessa pointed at Claire. "She lost control. I was trying to calm Mia down, and this woman came in like an animal."
Claire stared at her. "You slapped an eight-year-old."
"That is a lie."
Mia flinched.
Claire felt it through the coat.
Ben crouched a few feet away. "Mia, sweetheart, you don't have to talk right now."
Vanessa snapped, "She's confused."
Claire stood. "Don't speak for her."
"Both of you stop," Ben said. "Police are on the way."
Claire asked, "Did you save the microphone feed?"
He hesitated.
Vanessa noticed.
"So there was a malfunction," Vanessa said quickly.
Mr. Cole frowned. "I didn't say that."
"You said the sound was shut down."
"After your voice went through the auditorium."
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
Sirens sounded outside.
Mia suddenly whispered, "Mom, don't let her take me home."
Claire's heart seemed to stop.
"What do you mean take you home?"
Mia stared at the floor.
Vanessa stepped forward. "She doesn't know what she's saying."
Ben blocked her with one arm.
Police officers entered the hallway.
And one of them said, "We need to see the security footage."
Mr. Cole turned toward the monitor room.
A technician came running out.
May you like
His face was white.
"The camera file is gone."
