Parallel Lives

Chapter 7: 9:59 AM - Sabrina

   (You guys can probably tell what this is gonna be about due to the title. I hope you guys will enjoy this). 

   It was nearly empty in the lobby. Only a few firefighters and employees remained. We still had trouble trying to connect with the firefighters who went upstairs and into the South Tower. Including Daniel and his unit. Jacob was trying his hardest to connect with him on his radio, but to no avail. Worry and fear was etched into his face. I wanted to comfort him and tell him that Daniel would be fine, but I didn't know what to say. I've never been in this situation before so how could I comfort him?

   "Everything will be ok. I'm sure Daniel's fine. He's probably rescuing a lot of people right now." That was all I could say. Jacob gave me a small smile, still having a worried look. I went over to Chief Peterson, who was also struggling. "Any luck?" I asked. Chief shook his head. I could tell he was also worried. Before I could say anything, the ground shook and the building shuttered once again. We heard a huge rumbling noise outside and saw and heard things falling. Dark smoke began filling the entrance. Before I could react, Chief Peterson pulled me ahead of him and shoved me so I could run. I ran as fast as I could but my gear was slowing me down. Dust, debris, and smoke started coming in fast. I knew I wouldn't be able to outrun it.

   I ducked down and made myself small. I was taught to do that in situations like this. I felt something heavy on top of me, but I figured it was just the smoke and debris. I started to pray, which I've never done before. I knew I was gonna die, so I started praying that Jacob and the rest of my unit would survive. I prayed that my family would be ok. I prayed for God to forgive any sins I committed so I wouldn't have an issue going to Heaven. I even prayed for Daniel and his unit. Tears streamed down my face as it became harder to breathe. "This is it isn't it?"

   After a moment, I heard silence. I knew I was dead. I couldn't see anything. It was so dark. "Everybody alright?" A voice called out. I widened my eyes. I'm not dead? I heard coughing and talking all around me. I felt someone patting my back as the pressure left. "You ok?" I looked up, knowing who's voice it was. Jacob. He had jumped on top of me to protect me. "Jacob?" I asked, though I knew it was him. "Yeah it's me, kiddo. Are you ok?" Jacob asked. "Yeah." I mumbled. I did not want to tell him I was praying because I was thinking I would die.

   I felt the sudden urge to cough, so I did. I coughed really hard, trying to clear out all this dust from my throat. My throat was burning so badly. It felt as if there was a hot sock being stuffed down my throat. I felt Jacob patting my back and trying to comfort me. "What the fuck was that?!" I cried out. "Command post to all units, evacuate the building. Command post to all units, evacuate the building." Chief Peterson said on the radio.

   "We need to get out of here!" Someone yelled. There was a lot of commotion going on so I couldn't hear everyone's conversations. "Let's go out this way." Chief Peterson said. I could see a little bit now so I could see him leading us up the escalators. We walked up and came across a few exits as we walked more. "I don't think it's best to go out that way. Debris could still be falling outside." I noted. "Or people." Jacob added. "I know how to get to the World Financial Center across the street. There's a passageway here leading to a bridge. The bridge can take us there. I just need to check if it's still there. Sabrina and Jacob, come with me. Everybody else, stay here." Chief ordered. Jacob and I nodded and we followed closely behind.

   Wherever we walked, it was just covered with dust. "What the hell happened?" I wondered aloud. "I don't know. I'm thinking a piece of our building fell off." Chief answered. I didn't believe him. No way can something like that cause this much damage. Look, he was correct about the plane hitting the North Tower on purpose, but this time he could be wrong. It took a few minutes to get to the bridge. Luckily, it wasn't damaged. Chief tried to connect with the firefighters that were remaining, but there was too much chatter on the radio. "We're gonna have to head back to them. They won't be able to hear me over the radio." Chief explained. Jacob and I nodded and we made our way back. Once again, it took a few minutes to get back. When we got there, there was nobody around. They were gone.

   "Where are they?" Jacob asked. We looked around. Nobody was here. "They must've left. We're going to have to go back to the bridge on our own." Chief said. We both nodded and followed behind, once again making our way to the bridge. From the windows, I could see the dust. I was still confused about what had happened. After a bit more walking, we made it outside. We were now across the street from the Twin Towers and standing by the entrance of the World Financial Center. I looked at the towers before gasping in shock. I covered my mouth, beginning to cry. There was debris, concrete, and steel everywhere. The Marriott Hotel was broken in half. And there was no sign of the South Tower.

   I tried to look behind the smoke, but it was no use. The South Tower was gone. For the first time throughout the past few minutes, I finally knew what had happened. The South Tower had collapsed. That's why there was so much dust and smoke everywhere. Tears streamed down my face, knowing that many people were now gone. One of my favorite buildings, a building I grew up with, a building I loved to see, a building a part of my life, was gone.

   We walked out of that area and made our way to regroup with the other firefighters. I saw some firefighters that I knew, but I so far couldn't find Daniel or his unit. I couldn't find any of my guys from my unit either. I looked around nervously. "Jacob, they aren't here." I whispered, nervously. "It's ok, Bri. I'm sure they're fine." Jacob reassured me. I gathered with Chief Peterson and other high ranking firefighters. "Thank God you're alive, Sabrina. We were worried about you." One firefighter said. "I'm ok. Are you guys ok?" I asked. They nodded. "So what do we do now? There's still people inside the North Tower. Including firefighters." One chief put forth. My heart sank knowing there were still firefighters inside. Chief Peterson told them to evacuate, but what if they were still stuck inside? What if they were heading down? I began to worry. If the South Tower collapsed, then the North Tower could. I don't know when, but I know it could.

   I started to get really overheated with my gear on me. I took off my turnout coat, handing it to Jacob. "Sabrina, you should really keep this on." He expressed his uncertainty. "It'll just be for a few minutes. I'm just really hot right now." I shared. He nodded and shrugged, holding it for me. I told Chief that I'd be heading towards the building to see if any civilians and/or first responders needed help, to which he nodded in response. As I made my way over, I could feel the ground starting to tremble. I looked up. The North Tower was starting to buckle. I let out a loud scream. Everyone looked up and gasped, beginning to run. I tried to run as fast as I could, but just as I was running, I felt the smoke and dust push me backwards as hard concrete and debris began to hit me. "This is definitely it."

   (You guys can probably tell what happened at the end. You will see at the next chapter. See you then! Hope y'all enjoyed)!