Iris Eye

The rain suddenly poured. Iris, walking to visit her grandfather in the hospital, ran with the regret of not bringing an umbrella when she knew it was going to rain anyway. The hospital, as usual, had an eerie feeling as she entered the entrance. "Ms. Libbet", the nurse greeted her calmly. "I see you've brought some apples", her eyes falling on the bright blue bag that Iris was trying to hide, but eventually failed. " I know, but he loves apples", Iris apologized. " This is the last, I promise." The nurse sighed and waved her hands, meaning she was let through this time. Iris quietly opens the door to her grandfather's room and takes a peek. She gasped and screamed for help. Two nurses rushed in and pushed Iris away as they tried to revive her grandfather but her eyes were stuck to a strange dark apparition in the corner of the room, his hands to the side and his eyes glowing brightly as if he was there waiting for something to happen. Iris wanted to scream but she froze in fear. Iris woke up sweaty, it was a dream again. She rubbed her eyes and saw the time as 5:55 am. It was her birthday, yet there was an ache in her heart. Her Golden Retriever Nala jumped and licked her face, and her mood changed again. "It's going to be a good day for sure," she thought to herself as she played tug of war with Nala in bed. " Honey, I know it's your birthday ---" her mom, Resetta Libbet, started. "I know mom, you told me last week that you'd be off to Paris today for work." Resetta Libbet, a renowned art director, needed to rush to Paris on the same day as her only daughter's birthday. Iris pretended to understand that it was her mother's dream , yet she only wished she could go with her too. Resetta kissed her daughter on her forehead. "Thank you, Iris", her eyes welling up with tears. "You have done so much for me." Iris watched her mom pack up her suitcase in excitement and then leave the front door without even saying goodbye. Ever since Grandpa died there have been only two of them left. It was awkward since her mother had never raised her. Iris also had to go to school at Strafford University. She packed her bags and gave Nala a tight hug and smiled at the silly dog "See you later Nala" and closed the door behind her, The train station was jampacked with so many people that it gave Iris a bit of anxiety. She immediately rushed inside when she saw the opportunity and sat next to an old woman with headphones. Immediately she closed her eyes and only thought of good memories with her Grandfather. It's been a month since he passed away and she hates to admit that she hasn't moved on ever since " Be watchful today" a voice whispered to her. Iris opens her eyes and sees the old lady staring intently at her "What?" she mumbles "What do you mean?" " Your time is coming." The lady placed her headphones back and proceeded to mind her own business. Iris exits the door and takes one last glimpse at the old lady and shakes her head. Iris hurriedly ties her brown hair, noticing how untidy she looks through the reflection, and fixes her skirt. She hates wearing uniforms, yet this university was where her late father attended and so did her Grandfather. Almira, who was busy writing poetry, spotted Iris and waved at her happily "Happy Birthday Ris!" she greeted her with a tight hug " Eighteen!" "Thanks, Al" she replies "Did you take the train station?" she asked "As usual" "I don't understand why your mom never hired a driver or someone to drive you" Almira sounded alarmed "She doesn't trust anyone but my Grandfather", Iris replies softly with a smile. "It's dangerous for Straffordians to be roaming around in the streets. I'm just worried about you. Your mom is in Paris and left you alone" Almira Scheffen, the heiress to the Scheffen and Co. that sells the best vegetarian meat distributed around the country was Iris' only friend in school, but the roots were deeper as her Father Albert Scheffen, was also a family friend of her father. She remembered her Grandfather telling stories of war and how the two bonded through survival. That was why it was essential to keep ties with the family due to its historical meaning. Iris never met her father, Leonardo Jr. Libett as he died early. Her mother would tell her that the pregnancy was unexpected since the doctors told her she was infertile. "Why don't you come over tonight? Let's have a slumber party" Almira, with her bright blue eyes, asked in delight. "I can't leave Nala by herself in the house Al" Iris was hesitant, she really didn't want to go anywhere at the moment. "Bring Nala, it'll be fun. You deserve it. I mean it's your birthday" Iris opened the door to her house and saw Nala wagging her tail. As soon as she saw her, Iris packed her belongings and took her pet with her. As she headed towards the train station she paused and felt something strange in the atmosphere - something dark. She looked around the corner she could see Nala notice something different too and again the old lady with the headphone was there standing across her with a blank expression, then she went down the stairs and didn't turn back "What is with her?" she thought to herself She quickly headed downstairs and waited for the train to arrive then suddenly she heard gunshots, people started screaming "He's got a gun!" One of them screamed. Iris' heart almost stopped as she saw a flood of people running in the back upstairs but the gunshot was so near her she was afraid to move. Nala's bark woke her back to her senses and headed in another direction where other people were running to. It was familiar, it was the other station nearby that was near her school "Do you see him? He was wearing all black and he had a tattoo of a crow on his neck --- I can't believe this is happening", a homeless-looking woman said. She was already crying as her face was wet and her hair was shriveled. Iris didn't know what to say, she also noticed the woman was pregnant "I'm Anna", the woman says after she paused said "Might as was well introduce ourselves before we die--" "--We aren't going to die" A man wearing a yellow hoodie with huge glasses interrupted " I think he went to another direction, let's go there" Iris still felt that danger was lurking near, Nala was silent yet alert. The guy with glasses was stubborn, he took a peek from the corner and then signaled everyone that it was clear but as he took a step forward he was shot in the head, Anna let out a blood-curdling scream, Nala barked ferociously but Iris tried to keep her composure, she knew the man was coming, she could feel his footsteps coming towards them, the others ran for their life but they were shot dead as well. Iris grabbed Anna towards and her and looked at her belly again while running deeper to the other side of the station. She could hear the sirens but they were far away from the entrance, they need more time. "You need to run with my dog, her name is Nala" she whispered, pointing to what she felt was a safer location. She looked at Nala and the dog already knew what to do. "I'm going to distract him while the police is heading this way. Take care of Nala..." with those words Iris watched Anna and Nala run toward the empty hallways. Iris rushed over to lock the entrance and saw a stick nearby. She didn't know what she was doing but she had to do it. She hears footsteps getting nearer, then she hears his whistle. She held the stick as tight as she could. The shooter blasted the windows of the doors, his huge hands sticking out to take push what's blocking the door and then black....this is what Iris could only remember.