The eyes of 9/11/01

Hayley Mills

The two twin towers stood before us, smoke oozing out of the first one. The second one looked completely untouched, but the first twin tower had gigantic flames on it. I looked at Abigail, who was texting on her flip phone. I knew who she was texting. Ryan worked in the second twin tower, as a taxation and finance employee. She was going to ask Ryan where he was and what had happened. I was sure of it.
Abigail breathed a sigh of relief. "Ryan is okay. He said that a small sized plane crashed into the 92-98th floors of the North tower. He said that it seemed like it was by accident." Abigail said, calmer this time. "I'm going to call him." She said. I didn't mind the interruption to my birthday, that's for sure. But would my birthday bring sorrow to the world? Instead of a time to celebrate, would it be a time for tears and weeping? I couldn't bring myself to a conclusion. I glanced at the clock. 9:01 AM. I flipped on the news. At the same time, I overheard Hilary talking to Ryan in the other room. "Hi Daddy, yes, no, yes. I can't wait to see you later too!" Hilary said. Abigail walked into the living room where talk erupted, with the phone pressed up to her ear.
Without warning, the familiar ear deafening sound returned. This time, it sounded much closer. "I love you t-... Abigail stopped in her tracks. Hello? Ryan? Hello? Ryan!" Abigail started to cry hysterically. I peeked out the window, and saw the most horrifying thing I thought I would ever see. The North tower had been hit with looked like another plane. This time, it didn't look like it was on accident. Without thinking, Abigail ran out the door, and practically threw herself into her car. I knew what she was going to do. She was going to try to save Ryan.
"Wait, Abigail! Come back!" I yelled. She couldn't hear me. "Where's mommy?" Hilary asked. "Hilary, stay here with Uncle Max. Please. I'll be right back with mommy." I said as calmly as possible. But I was nowhere close to calm. I gave Tanner a look. He ran to me and said: "Be careful. Please. I need you." He kissed me and I ran out the door and into my car. No time to think Haley! GO GET ABIGAIL. My car only went so fast. I hoped that I would find Abigail in time. I could barely get through Seventh Avenue with the rush of people, ambulances, and the firetrucks. It was so chaotic. I couldn't believe it. Who would want to crash into the World Trade Center? Seriously! Police men and women attempted to keep people and cars back from the World Trade Center, but it wasn't working. Mayhem circled through Seventh Avenue. I searched the crowds of people, looking for Abigail. There was still no sign of her. Passing the Twin Towers, I noticed people jumping from soaring heights of the building. My heart almost stopped beating. I got out of my car and locked the doors. This would make my life easier, finding Abigail, I thought. I quickly sent a prayer to the victims of the explosions. That's when I spotted Abigail, kneeling on the ground, her head in her hands. I ran to her. I placed my hand lightly on her back. "Abby, everything is going to be ok." I said. "Ryan is dead." She said, tearful. "How are you sure? I mean he could still be-..." "The phone lost signal. I ran here, and found him, laying on the ground. That's when a police man came to me and escorted me to a safer area." Abigail said. "Abby, I am so sorry. Ryan was a terrific man." The silence between us hurt. We sat there for about a half an hour, with a devastating view of the South Tower. I tried to tune out the screams and the tears and the horror, but it was impossible. Unanticipatedly, the Southern tower started to fall. Right in front of us. We had to get out of here. "Abigail, we need to go! It's falling!" "Haley, I'm scared," she said. Although she was an adult, since she was little, Abigail was the one out of us two that was not very brave. I was the "brave" one. I had to take care of her. "Follow me Abby!" I yelped. Debris fell everywhere. As we neared my car, The tower abruptly exploded, right then, right there, causing people nearby to fall to the ground, covering their heads, fearing the pain of glass and debris. It was also pretty hard to breathe. There was smoke everywhere. I pushed on the gas pedal and backed up, heading home. Thank god Abigail was alright. Then I remembered. If I were Abigail, I would have the pain of breaking the news to a ten year old about her father. In the passenger seat, I noticed the look of disbelief on Abigail's face. Poor Abigail, I thought.

****

I pulled into the driveway, my heart beating heavily. We sat in silence for three minutes, and then slowly opened the car doors and walked towards the front door. "Thank you." Abigail said to me with bloodshot eyes. "Any time," I said back to her.
We walked inside to hear silence. Pure silence. Abigail slowly walked to Hilary, who was busy reading, and gave her a big hug. "Honey, there is something I need to tell you," Abigail said, with a tear building up in her eye. "Your dad didn't make it out of the tower honey." She said, now crying. Hilary just looked up, and then down, and then started to cry. I walked to Tanner. We kissed briefly, and then immediately fell into a deep hug. Then I hugged Tanner's parents, and then Max. We were there for eachother, and always will be.
Then, there was a crash, and the North Tower collapsed.