Parallel Lives

Chapter 9: Missing - Jacob

   (This is gonna be both heartwarming and sad at the same time. Enjoy it)! 

   I had ducked underneath a truck as the dust swarmed all around me. I covered my face, trying to prevent myself from breathing the dust. It was no use. I couldn't breathe and it was so dark. I could hear the steel crashing around me. I held my breath, hoping the steel wouldn't kill me. After a moment or so, everything stopped. I waited for a few more seconds, in case more dust and smoke came over. Nothing came. I got out from under the truck and looked around in shock. It looked like a blizzard. It was a late summer day in September, yet the dust made it look like an early winter day in December.

   I looked around for Sabrina and the others. I saw many people emerging from different hiding places, but I couldn't find my sister. I walked forward, trying to get back to where we stood when the North Tower fell. She was nowhere to be found. It was as if she disappeared into thin air. I looked everywhere. I checked under cars, vans, everything. But she wasn't there. "CHIEF!" I shouted. Chief ran over, wondering what had happened. "I can't find Sabrina! She's missing!" I cried. He had a worried expression on his face as I sobbed out of fear. He tried to console me to the best of his abilities, but I didn't listen.   

   Chief led me to a coffee shop, where the workers were handing us water. I tried to drink the water, but the dust in my throat was preventing me from doing that. I kept drinking it and gargling, trying to clear my throat before spitting it out. I had to do this several times while Chief Peterson did the same. "So, now what?" I asked. The towers were gone, and they left behind piles of debris and concrete, and now my sister was missing. What do we do now? "We have to go back to try to find some people. You however, are gonna go back to the firehouse. You experienced a lot today." Chief ordered. I didn't want to, but I knew it wouldn't be wise to disobey him, so I left. 

   I began to hope and pray that Sabrina was there. Maybe she had managed to escape when the tower collapsed. I hoped my prayers would be enough to come true. When I arrived at the firehouse, I could see it was open. I began to hope that Sabrina and my unit, my best friends, were inside. I walked in, and to my surprise, everyone was alive. But there was no sign of Sabrina. "Oh my God, Jacob!" Jimmy, one of my guys, exclaimed. Everyone went towards me and hugged me tight. Everyone was here, including my captain, Donald Thomas. "We were so worried about you! We didn't know what happened to you!" Captain Thomas said, relieved.

   "Where's Chief Peterson?" Eddie, another one of my guys asked. "He's still down there. But he's ok." I answered. They all breathed in a sigh of relief, knowing he was ok. "What about Bri?" Jimmy asked. My heart sank as I realized that she wasn't here. Tears fell from my eyes, as anxiety plagued my entire body. "She disappeared after the tower fell! I don't know where she is!" I sobbed. I could feel their shocked gazes burning into me. They sat me down on a bench so I could relax. I began to pray that Sabrina was still alive. I looked at my arms, and saw her turnout coat. I was holding it for her. More tears fell at I put it away. As I was doing so, my cell phone started ringing. I had honestly forgotten I had a cellphone until that moment. I stood up and took the call, hoping that it was my sister. "Hello?" I answered.

   "Jacob! Thank God you're alive!" A woman cried. It was my mom. "Yeah Mom, I'm ok. I was inside the North Tower but I made it out on time." I explained. "I can't get in contact with your sisters or your dad! I tried to pick up Sabrina from school but they said she never arrived! I'm scared she got caught up there!" Mom explained, frantically. How was I gonna tell her that Sabrina may be dead? "Sabrina skipped school today to work. I think she's still down at the site." I said, trying to shield my mother from the painful truth. 

   "Oh my God. Just have her call me when she gets out of there!" Mom expressed. I then noticed that my mom said "sisters" instead of just "sister." She also mentioned my dad. "Wait Mom, what did you mean by 'sisters' and Dad? Dad doesn't work today. Today's his day off." I mentioned. "I can't get in contact with Angela or your father! Your dad left early this morning and met up with Angela because they were filling in for some coworkers today! I haven't heard from them all day!" Mom cried.

   My heart sank to my stomach. My dad and younger sister, Angela, don't work on Tuesdays or Thursdays. My dad works on the 91st floor and Angela on the 81st floor of the North Tower. I didn't see them in the lobby or outside. "I gotta go, Mom. I'm gonna go find them." I said. "Ok, honey. I love you. Stay safe." Mom expressed. "I love you too Mom. Bye." I said as I hung up. I tried to call my dad and Angela. They weren't answering their phones. I tried to calm myself down by saying that their service was down. I tried to call Daniel, only to be met with no answer. I tried Sabrina, but she didn't answer either. I tried to prevent myself from hyperventilating. My dad, my sisters, and my best friend are somewhere down there, and are nowhere to be found. I have to find them.

   Captain Thomas began making an announcement that whoever wanted to go back to the site had to write their names down and wait until they got the all clear. I knew I had to go back. I quickly ran over and wrote my name down. After doing so, I sat and waited for the signal. I began to notice some of the guys looking restless. "Fuck it, I'm going back. Whoever's coming, follow me." One of them yelled. I knew that I had to go. I ran after them and jumped on the rig. I had to find them. I need to find them.

   (Surprise, they're all related! Plot twist, huh? Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this! Stay tuned for the next upload)!