Parallel Lives

Chapter 11: Discovery - Jacob

   (Sorry that this is late guys. I did a lot that I didn't have time to publish this. This is gonna be really depressing though so I am sorry for that. I hope you guys will enjoy this though)! 

   As we were searching the rubble, my cell phone began to ring. I picked it up. "Hello?" I answered. "Hey Jacob, it's me Tommy." I widened my eyes. Tommy was ok? "Holy shit Tommy?! You're ok?!" I exclaimed. "Yeah I'm fine, don't worry. I'm just letting you know that Sabrina is at the hospital. She fainted so we sent her to get checked out." Tommy explained. My heart both rose and sank hearing she was at the hospital.

   "Is she ok?" I asked, fearfully. "She was coming back to consciousness and was able to tell me to call you, so I believe she'll be fine." Tommy revealed. I sighed in relief. "Thanks Tommy." I said. After a few more words, we hung up. As I was putting my phone away, Chief Peterson walked up to me. "Everything ok?" He asked. "Everything's fine. Sabrina got sent to the hospital. She fainted at the firehouse." I answered, a bit of joy in my voice at the thought that she was alright. Chief looked a bit worried when I said that. I knew how much he cared about her so it wasn't a surprise that he was worried.

   "Are you going to search the rubble?" Chief asked. I nodded. "My dad, my sister, and my best friend are missing. I have to find them." I explained. Chief widened his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Jacob. Did your dad and sister work in the building?" Chief asked. "My dad and sister worked in the North Tower. My dad worked on the 91st floor and my sister worked on the 81st floor. They weren't supposed to be working today. They don't work on Tuesdays and Thursdays." I explained as tears welled in my eyes. Chief patted my shoulder, sympathetically.

   "Daniel Gonzalez is your best friend, huh?" Chief asked. I nodded again. "I haven't seen him or his unit." Chief Peterson said in a sad tone. I sighed, trying to keep hope that he, my dad, and sister would be fine.

   I walked over to the rubble and began digging as hard as I could. Barely anyone was searching the rubble, as they deemed it too dangerous to search. I didn't know exactly where Dad, Angela, or Daniel could be located, but I still tried to check everywhere I could. "Rossi!" Someone yelled. I turned and saw that it was Daniel's battalion chief, Chief Anderson, who called me. I rushed over. "Yes sir?" I asked.

   "Are you searching for Daniel Gonzalez?" He asked. I nodded. "And my dad and sister. They worked on the 91st and 81st floor of the North Tower." I responded. Chief Anderson nodded, a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that, son. But I suggest not searching the rubble right now. It could be too dangerous." Chief Anderson warned. I looked around and saw many firefighters beginning to dig along with other first responders. "I'll have to humbly decline, sir. My best friend, my dad, and my sister need me." I said. Before he could say anything, I turned away.

   I started walking more into the rubble, and it was hot. My boots began to sink into the rebar because of the heat. I knew there were fires underground, so I had to be careful. The more I dug, the more upset I became. I couldn't find anyone, not even a survivor. I started feeling helpless, but I knew I had to keep going. I needed to find them.

   The more I dug, the more time went by. The sun was beginning to set and the sky turned dark. I didn't even know what time it was. I just knew it was late. I found it hard to believe that this all happened this morning. It doesn't feel real. I'm exhausted. I've been up since early this morning, and this catastrophe took so much energy out of me.

   It became darker the more I dug. By now, I estimated that I was at the entrance of either the North or the South Tower. It seemed like it since I was right next to the destroyed Marriott Hotel. Everything was destroyed, so the entrances were no longer there. I began digging once again. My arms and hands were hurting me so much, but I didn't care. I was determined to find my missing loved ones, or even just a survivor.