Parallel Lives

Chapter 14: Suffering - Sabrina

   (So I'm an asshole. I'm so sorry for not uploading yesterday. I forgot. Here's a new chapter though! This is gonna be pretty bittersweet. I hope you guys will enjoy this)!

   I refused to do anything. I couldn't look at the TV. I couldn't do anything. I tried to deny that Dad and Angela were in fact in the North Tower. That Jacob misunderstood. But no matter how much denial I was in, I knew they were gone.

   I heard a knock on the door. I looked ahead and slightly smiled seeing Jacob, Chief Peterson, and Tommy. I couldn't give them a real smile because I'm devastated and also my oxygen mask was preventing me from doing so.

   "You ok?" Chief asked. I shook my head. They smiled sympathetically as they had sad looks. "Hey Bri, I got this for you." Tommy spoke, handing me a wolf plushie. I smiled wider this time, hugging it close. Wolves are my favorite animals. The three of them smiled seeing me a bit more cheery now.

   I lifted up the oxygen mask, wanting to talk to them. "How is everything?" I asked in a raspy, croaky voice. They looked at me in shock and smiled. "Everything's ok. We found a survivor. She managed to survive the collapses and was there for 27 hours." Jacob explained. "Really? 27 hours?" I asked. "Yeah. Crazy, huh?" Jacob expressed. I nodded. I thought about Daniel, hoping he had been found.

   "Did you find Daniel?" I asked, fearing the answer. They looked at each other for a moment, before Jacob shook his head. "We haven't found him or his unit yet." Jacob sadly answered. I put my mask back on as sadness enveloped me. I knew Daniel was dead. There's no way he could be in that rubble since 10:28 AM yesterday. It was 12 AM right now. There's no way he could've survived that. I didn't know how to tell Jacob. He might not want to hear it.

   "I know what you're thinking, Bri. I don't think he's alive either." Jacob voiced, his voice breaking. I could see that his eyes were glossy. I knew he was about to cry. Understandable really. We just lost our dad and sister. Now, Jacob lost his best friend since childhood. I took his hand and stroked it. He looked at me as a tear streamed down his cheek. He gave me a small smile. "I'm not a dog, you know." Jacob muttered, resulting in giggles from Chief Peterson and Tommy.

   "Hey! I'm trying to comfort you." I chuckled as I slightly removed my mask. This resulted in more chuckles from Chief and Tommy. Everything is still horrible. It still feels surreal knowing that the Twin Towers no longer exist. Knowing that Dad and Angela are no longer alive. But at least Jacob and I still have each other.

   (Yeah, told y'all it was gonna be bittersweet. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this! Sorry it was late. See you soon)!