Parallel Lives

Chapter 22: Flood of Memories - Sabrina

   (This one is gonna get depressing again. I hope you guys will enjoy this)!

   I showed up to school with Soleil the next day. People seemed surprised at my new service dog. Considering she had her vest on that stated she was a service dog and the vest said she was working, people didn't pay any attention. I have the papers anyway so nobody can say shit even if they thought I was lying. I walked into science class, once again being the first student inside. I wasn't lonely though, since I had Soleil with me.

   After a few minutes, some students piled in. Including Justin, Leyla, and their friends. "Oh wow Sabrina came with a dog! How interesting!" Justin teased. I rolled my eyes, ignoring him. "Can I pet her?" Leyla asked, in an annoying whiny voice. "No. She's working." I answered in a deadpan voice. Leyla glared at me but before she could say anything, Mr. Walsh walked in. He seemed visibly shocked by Soleil.

   "Since when did you get a service dog?" He asked. "Since yesterday." I answered, not in the mood to answer any questions. "What for?" He asked. "My mental health." I revealed. I heard a few kids snicker and I turned to glare at them, which instantly made them shut up. Mr. Walsh didn't ask any more questions and started the lesson.

   I hated doing this. I hated school. I just wanted to be at the firehouse. Not here. As I was thinking about the firehouse and everything that happened, I felt something on my lap. Soleil had put her head on my lap and was looking up at me, as if to say that everything was ok. I smiled, scratching behind her ear. It's been a day since I got her but I am so grateful that she's with me.

   Finally, the class was over so Soleil and I walked to Mrs. Chandler's class. Once again, the TV was in the room, but it wasn't connected to any news stations. "Thank God." I sat in my usual seat and waited for Mrs. Chandler to show up. She finally did and fixed up the TV a bit. "Since today makes two weeks since the tragedies at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania, I decided to show you all a VHS tape that I recorded from that day when most of us watched it here. You will see many different news stories. I will warn you all, it will be graphic." Mrs. Chandler began. "Well that's fucking terrific."

   She loaded the tape in and it started with the North Tower in flames. It was 8:50 AM, so four minutes after impact. By that time, Chief Peterson and I were either on our way or were already there when we were in the battalion car. The tape brought back immense memories. During that time, I thought it was an accident. Not on purpose. The more I watched, the more memories came flooding back. I hung my head down as tears began to flow. I can still remember the smell of jet fuel when I walked into the building. I can still hear everyone chatting about what they were going to do. I can still hear the people screaming. The sirens were piercing my ears that day, and I could still hear them now. I covered my ears, trying to block out the sounds but to no avail. Soleil once again put her head on my lap to distract me. I tried my hardest to focus on her, but I couldn't. Everything was flooding back.

   The rest of the students were piled up in front of the TV so they didn't know what I was going through. I watched more as I saw the clock strike at 9:03 AM. The South Tower was hit. I remember being outside when it happened and rushing in screaming. I can still remember seeing the fireballs. I can still remember hearing debris falling as I ran inside. All the memories from that day clouded my brain. It was as if it was happening all over again. I saw people falling on the TV. I can still remember the sounds I had heard when they fell. It was so loud. I remember it to the point where it seemed like it was all happening now. I felt Soleil pawing at my lap, trying to get me away from the memories. But I just couldn't get out of it the more I looked at the TV.

   I didn't even want to see the South Tower collapsing on TV, which I knew was coming soon. I just wanted to run away. I knew if I stayed here, I would be able to feel the dust and smoke giving me a choking feeling, as it did when I was in the lobby. My therapist told me all about PTSD, and I honestly think I have it considering I feel like I'm actually back at the World Trade Center when everything occurred. I just wanted to leave, but I knew Mrs. Chandler wouldn't let me. Now I really wish either Mom or Jacob told the teachers about what I went through. I looked to my left. The window was open. I looked around and saw that Mrs. Chandler and the students were distracted. I watched the clock tick on the TV and saw that it was almost 9:59 AM.

   I threw my bag out the window. Luckily the classroom was on the first floor so I could just slide out the window and not jump. I grabbed Soleil and shoved her out the window as she sat on the grass, waiting for me. I made sure once again that nobody was looking. The clock read 9:57, just two minutes before the collapse. I slid out, with nobody noticing.

   I tossed my bag over my shoulder and grabbed Soleil's leash, running away from the school. There was no way I was gonna stay there and further get reminded of everything all over again. By watching those clips, all I was able to think about is me being there. I was brought back to two weeks ago, like if I was living it all over again. I was watching Dad and Angela's last moments alive. Maybe even Daniel's. If I was in there by the time the news read 10:28, I wouldn't be able to take it anymore, since I knew that that was the time Dad and Angela died. Maybe Daniel died at that time too. I couldn't stay there anymore. I knew where to go. My happy place, the firehouse.

   (Poor Sabrina. She definitely has PTSD. I hope you guys enjoyed this though! See you soon)!