Collapsed

Chapter 1

"Help me!" I bang on the elevator doors. Through the crack, I can see people scrambling around and away from where the plane crashed. The floor above us collapses again. Everyone has left when I scream again. A man rushes past but stops in his tracks once he sees me. He kneels down.

"It's going to be okay. I promise. Hold on." I nod sharply. And close my eyes and let tears fall down my cheeks. I hear sreeching loud noises then a shake on my shoulder. I hope it's mom and that she's alive. But no hope once the man helps me up.

"C'mon, we have to leave." he says. I hear another collapse as dust particles rain to the stranded ground.

"No, I have to find my mom." I say and head for the stair case.

"There is no one up there. Everything is gone. I'm sorry but we have to leave. There is a chance she is waiting for you at the bottom." he reaches for my hand. As much as I want to go against, I sniff and nod. I take his hand and run down the stairs. Suddenly, I hear a loud crash and a force pushes me to the wall.

My eyes flutter open and what I thought was sweat is blood that trickles down to my shirt. My head throbs. The man beside me wakes up and without a word, we stumble down the stairs as the ground beneath shakes violently.

Outside is dark with particles in the air. I see a beaming red light ahead, but it isnt long before I fall to the ground and everything blurrs.

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"Mom." I croak as my eyes adjust to the bright light. What I thought was heaven became a ceiling light in a white hospital room.

"Mom, mom." I look around starting to panic. A doctor enters the room.

"Where's my mother?" I struggle to take off the tubes.

"Miss, relax." he tries to calm me. "I will tell you as soon as you answer a few questions." I lay on my pillow hoping this will go by quickly.

"What is your name?" he adjust his pen.

"Cassandra Jones." I say.

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen."

"Would you like to tell me what happened?" he takes a seat. I shake my head.

"Well, your mother was on the 81rst floor. When the plane crashed, she wasn't able to escape. I'm sorry. Please accept my condolences." I stare at him in disbelief. He walks out of the room as my dad bursts in. Then I see the truth on his eyes. He takes me into his arms as I sob onto his shoulder. By the time I pull away, his shirt is drenched. But he doesn't seem to care.

"I'm so sorry." he says.

"I still don't believe it." I shake my head and concentrate. "What will become of me? Without her?" dad shushes me and gives me another hug. "You will still be my daughter. Her daughter. Follow the path you and her wanted. As if she were still there."

But she's not I think and grip tighter. The nurse comes in with a portable table and a tray of food. I sniff and let her place it on front of me. I eat slowly just to please dad, but I just want to throw it over and scream. I eat half of it and silently cry myself to sleep.

I wake up cranky with my eyes puffy and my throat sore. I don't even remember my dream. I sigh and look at dad on the other side of the room. His nose flares when he snores. It gets kind of funny after a while. I remember when mom and I used to argue with dad about how he snores. Sometimes, mom sends him to the couch. I laugh and the nurse allows me to get up and use the bathroom. I brush teeth and shower. Once I'm out dad is already stretching in his seat.

"Morning." he says and takes the bag and walks into the bathroom. My dad isn't a morning person but he gives a effort. I can't ask for nothing else. The nurse says I can go home today and that they already put stitches on my head. I take my bag dad left next to my bed and change. Dad brought my favorite Jersey's shirt and jeans. The thoughts of mom and what happened come flooding back and I cry one more time. I wipe the tears and fan my face before my dad comes in.

The drive back is silent until we get back to our wonderful house. My room hasn't collected dust and my boxes are still on the floor for college. College. I wonder if I will live through the next few years. I wamted to be a lawyer. Mom wanted me to be a doctor but supported me anyway. I don't have a strong stomach anyway. Dad calls me down. I walk slowly down the stairs. But I stop dead in my tracks when I see Mathew standing at the door.

"Hey." he takes a step in.

"Don't! Get away from me. I don't want to see your face again."

"No. It's not what you think. I swear. Please beleive me." he pleads. This was officially the hundredth time he was apologizing. But I know in his eyes, there is no apology. It's just fake, all fake. That night, I went to that party for the end of the school year. We had already graduated and one of the football players were throwing a party. I was asking one of his friends, Ben, where he was becaused he textesaying that he will come before me. Ben jyst smirked and pointed upstairs the last room yo th right. Walking inside the room with him and Hanna was the biggest mistake I ever made. The thought always haunts me.

"Go!" I'm gripping my hair now.

"She said go so I suggest you do so." dad growls clearly angry. Mathew just shakes his head and backs away to the door.