The Lost Farlands

The War, 4 Years Ago - Part 2

Scene 2.5 – First Responders

The rookie firefighters stood in shock as they arrived at the scene, their faces was overridden with a mix of disbelief and horror. They had heard the reports, seen the footages on television, but nothing could have prepared them for the sheer destruction that unfolded before their eyes.

The once majestic Twin Towers now stood as towering infernos, engulfed in flames, their roaring flames reaching towards the sky like hungry serpents, casting a hellish glow over the city. The thick plume of smoke went upwards, casting an ominous shadow over the city and the air was heavy with the scent of burning debris, and the sound of sirens and urgent commands echoed through the air.

As the rookie firefighters stepped out of their vehicles, they were met with a scene of chaos and devastation. The ground was littered with debris, shards of glass crunched underfoot, the strong scent of burning debris hung in the air, and the distant sound of sirens pierced through the chaos.

Their training kicked in, and they fought to regain their composure amidst the chaos. They quickly donned their heavy fire-resistant suits, preparing for what's coming next. Their hands were trembling slightly as they adjusted their helmets and tightened their grip on their equipment. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on their shoulders as they prepared to enter Ground Zero.

The senior firefighter, Zen Wellerman, the veteran of countless emergencies, approached the rookies, with his face lined with experience. He understood the impact that such a disaster could have on those witnessing it for the first time.

"Stay focused, and stay calm," Zen said, his voice firm but compassionate. "This is what we've trained for. We can make a difference here today. No matter how big the disaster is, even if it means dying in honor, we must save everyone we can." He stood still, slowly gazing up towards the burning tower.

His words offered guidance in the midst of chaos, and as the firefighters nodded in agreement, the rookies found a wellspring of strength within themselves. "This is why we became firefighters." They thought.

With those words of encouragement, the rookies found strength within themselves. They took a deep breath, drawing upon their training and the support of their team. Together, they formed a line, their eyes fixed on the task ahead.

As they entered Ground Zero, their senses were overwhelmed. The heat pressed against their suits, searing through with a fiery intensity, similar to how it feels when cooking a steak in an outdoor oven. Sweat soaked their brows, and the lack of air left them gasping for every breath.

With each step forward, they encountered scenes of unimaginable destruction. They maneuvered through twisted metal and debris, searching for signs of life, their training guiding their every move. They fought against time, driven by the knowledge that every second counted.

Amidst the devastation, the rookies witnessed acts of bravery. They saw fellow firefighters battling the flames with little to no fear. They witnessed the compassion of medical teams as they tended to the injured.

They worked tirelessly to assist with evacuations and provide aid to the injured. But then, a loud roar of an approaching airplane pierced through the sounds of sirens and cries. People's gazes immediately turned skyward, eyes widening in disbelief.

"Is that... another plane?" one person exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the chaos surrounding them.

The sound grew louder and more eerie with each passing second. The firefighters watched in horror as a second commercial plane, flying at an alarmingly low altitude, headed straight toward the other tower.

Time seemed to stand still as the seconds ticked by. The deafening roar grew louder and louder, drowning out all other sounds. Then, in a terrifying instant, another unthinkable occurred.