Chapter 5: Only a Drill

The alarm goes off about twenty minutes into my second class as a newly hired adjunct in the English Department at Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood Campus. 15.3 miles from Columbine High School via West Bowles Ave and CO-470 W. 11.5 miles via S Union Blvd. Two voices blare through the PA system in alternating syncopation. The first voice tells us we are in LOCKDOWN and the second reminds us that this is a drill.

I turn off the lights and attempt to lock the door. I discover the door does not lock. Something is broken or out of alignment. One of my students gets up and tries to lock the door it still doesn’t lock.