I awoke to the sound of the blaring of sirens and the feeling of the rattling of the Earth around me. I jumped out of bed and ran into Abi’s room. She was sound asleep, as usual. I grabbed her, her blanket, and Teddy, and ran down to the office in the basement. She awoke and looked up at me, “Momma, what’s going on?” “I’m not sure baby, but we are safe down here. Now, go back to sleep.” She laid her head down on my shoulder and pulled her pink blanket over her head.
I got out my cell phone and called my mother. It went straight to voice mail. I called my brother, Kyle. No answer. I began to worry. The small vibrations of the Earth died down, but I waited a few hours, to make sure it was okay to leave. After what seemed like forever, I slowly sat Abi down next to me, and opened the door. It was blocked; something was on the other side. I pushed harder, and it finally opened, revealing the broken remains of my home spread all around me.
I slowly walked out, and went through what was left of my life. I looked around me, and found no one. They must still be in their safe room. I called out; telling them it was ok, that it was over. I got no response. My heart sunk a bit, but I was more worried about Abigail. I turned back and she was standing right behind me, a single tear rolling down her cheek. I picked her up and hugged her. She whispered, “What happened?” I turned around to see the damage. “I don’t know, but its all going to be alright, I promise.” She brought her face to mine, looked me in the eye, “Where’s Uncle Kyle?” I forced a smile, “he is at his house, still sleeping. Its really early, everyone is in bed. You should get some sleep. Go back in the office and lie down.” I gently put her on the ground and she ran back into the office. I made sure she was asleep, and then carefully walked down the long pile of rocks that once made up my road.
I glanced around me to see the small piles of my neighbors lives. Toys, clothes, food, everything. My heart dropped, but I tried to remain calm and hopeful. I kept walking down the unrecognizable road and to the nearest store, Walmart. It was completely destroyed. Upon the wreckage, I found an old bear, similar to Abi’s. I attempted to pick it up, but the bottom half was stuck under a piece of cement. I lifted it, to find that the bear was being held tight by a small, pale hand. I dropped it and let out a shriek. I stood there in shock for a minute before running back home. I went straight home to check on Abi. She was still asleep.
I went to my neighbor Madi’s house to check on her and her family. All I saw was bricks and their belongings scattered all over the ground. I began to call for her and her sons, but I got no reply. I was in a panic. I started throwing large pieces of cement and rock into a miniature mountain beside what was left of their flower garden. After about twenty minutes, I looked up at the thin row of trees, or what was left of them, to see the sun rising up slowly, which means it was probably around six. Abi was probably getting up now, but I needed to find Madi. What if she was down there, suffocating, without hope. I grew fiercer, I had to hurry. I was running out of smaller rocks, but i tried to lift the bigger ones. I had been careful to make a small pile just for the boy’s toys. I was about to give up, when I saw a small movement of some broken glass. I ran over to it, I clawed away at the glass.
The first thing I saw was a blood covered foot, with pink nail polish. It was Madi. I hurriedly threw off everything from on top of her. When I had finally pulled her out of the wreckage, she had a huge cut above her left eye and blood was streaming down her face. She could barely stand on her own, so I assisted her slowly to my house. I sat her down in the black folding chair next to Abi. Her long red hair fell over her shoulder, exposing a deep gash on her lower back. I looked around the small room for something to help her. I took a step to my left and grabbed a half empty water bottle and a roll of paper towels. I franticly but carefully wiped the blood from her back and face. I glanced up at her face. Her eyes were open, but she wasnt all there. Her mouth fell open, and she collapsed into my lap. I flipped her over to where she was face up. Her eyes were distant, empty. I desperately took a wad of papertowels and poured the cold water over them. I rubbed her head with it, hopelessly attemping to awake her. I then started talking to her, loudly but calmly, "Madi, please get up. Madi, wake up. Talk to me. Madi!" I felt warm tears streaming down my face. Her body grew cold and stiff. She was gone. I couldnt help it, I lost all control and began sobbing.
