Hallways and Handguns
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Hallways and Handguns
by Nathaniel Tower
Genre: Mainstream Drama
Tags: Bullying, schools, shooting, guns, suicides, friendship, loyalty, threats
Editor: Lea Schizas
Line Editor: Nan Swanson
Cover Designer: Mike Zambrano
Words: 24235
Pages: 66
ISBN: 978-1-77127-064-9
Price: $3.50
Back Cover:
A series of tragic events at Rosehill Academy, a middle-class Midwest high school, tests the limits of human relationships. Beginning with the tragic suicide of a beautiful but little-known girl and the rumors of the inappropriate relationship that caused it, everyone at the school becomes affected in some way by the events that occur in the week that follows. During the course of that week, a resignation, overdose, bout with alcoholism, death threat, and school shooting all impact the lives of everyone. Was the suicide a catalyst for all of these events, or was it merely a coincidence?
Excerpt:
Nick continued, but his words all blurred. Sarah knew none of it was true, but all of her hatred for him was rushing to get out. Even untrue things can be hurtful depending on how and when they are stated. The tears now dripped onto Piggy and his adventures with that giant rock from above, soaking the boy to the point of near drowning.
Although Sarah didn’t want to, she could no longer control herself. The voice that said the words that came out sounded foreign to her and her classmates, yelled in an angry and hateful tone she felt she did not possess. “I’m going to kill you, I’m going to kill you,” the voice shouted. Without realizing her actions, Sarah had stood, grabbed Nick’s ironed shirt collar, and released a barrage of threats that left the whole class stunned, the giggles now turned to gasps. All of the groups were now focused in on this threat, and even those who had not realized that Nicholas had been insulting her figured she was not the aggressor in this case. All except for the teacher.
After several moments, Ms. White gained some semblance of order, ordering Sarah to the office, the girl shocked as to why. Having regained her composure, Sarah turned back to Nick, eyes now empty of tears, and stated in her plain forgettable voice some very unforgettable words. “I will kill you tomorrow." Those were the final words she uttered before she stormed out of the classroom, exiting at the precise moment the bell rang accompanied by an explosion of uncomfortable giggles that suggested more of a sense of relief than a sense of humor.About Nathaniel Tower
Nathaniel Tower writes fiction, teaches English, and manages the online literary magazine Bartleby Snopes. His short stories have been published in over fifty online and print magazines. In 2010, his story "The Oaten Hands" was named one of 190 Notable Stories by the story South Million Writers Award. A Reason to Kill is his first novel. He currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and daughter.
