I awoke to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ear. I groaned as I sit up to look a the time. It's 4:45. The sun isn't even peaking over the horizon yet. I slowly roll out of bed and drag my feet towards my closet to get dressed. I very slowly pulled on my white nursing outfit and began to fix my face and hair. Once finished, I quickly chugged a cup of coffee and headed out the door.
It was 5:15 when I arrived at the hospital to pick up my med-bag that held all the all the vaccines I would need to administer. I needed to hurry if I was going to make it to the U.S.S Arizona on time. As I walked down the sidewalk towards the harbor, I could see people beginning to stir from their houses and barracks. It was a usual misty Sunday morning, so I was honestly surprised to see so many people waking up this early.
After a short walk, I finally arrived on the boat where I was greeted by a private Smith who was to show me to the on-deck clinic where I'd be givin' the vaccines. I spent the next couple hours givin' vaccines to young officers and privates. After my final patient, I began to pack up. I glanced at my pocket watch to check the time. It was only around 7:45. If I hurried, maybe I would be able to get an extra hour of sleep before the other nurses woke up. That's when I heard the planes.
Danny's POV
Rafe and I went and had a few too many drinks last night. Rafe ended up getting so drunk that he started a fight with Anthony which erupted into an all out brawl across the bar. When the disciplinary officers arrived I had to pull Rafe into a nearby car so we can make a quick getaway. We both ended up passin' out in a field over lookin' the harbor. I could feel the warm morning sun on my face as I squinted my eyes lookin' up at the sky. It looks like it's gonna be a beautiful day. I hear the gentle rumble of planes that continually grows louder until the planes were suddenly flying low over head.
"Why the hell are the Navy doin' drills this early on a Sunday?" I groan rolling over on my side. When I heard the first bomb, I sat straight up. Surprisingly, Rafe did as well, despite bein' hung over. I stared in horror at the harbor in the distance as I watched the ships burst into flames. I snapped out of my trance when I heard a plane approaching with it's guns firing. I jumped into the driver's seat as Rafe jumped into the front passenger seat. As I quickly started the car, a young man with a camera jumped into the back of the car.
"Go, go, go!" He yelled. I stepped on the gas. We flew down one of the dirt roads that lead to the harbor as a plane flew close to the ground, firing at us.
"Why is the Navy shootin' at us?!?" Rafe yelled.
"I work for the Navy Post and I can tell ya one thing. Them ain't Navy planes!" The nervous journalist yelled back.
"Danny, just get me to a goddamn plane." Rafe ordered. I gunned the car as much as I could. As we approached one of the smaller airstrips, I began to think about Carrie. God, I hope she's somewhere safe.
Carrie's POV
When I first heard the planes I thought it was odd. Why would the Navy be runnin' drills on a Sunday? It wasn't until I hear a ear deafening explosion and the boat to shake like hell that I realize that this wasn't the Navy. I lost my balance and fell, hard. I'm honestly amazed I didn't get knocked out. I quickly jump to my feet and begin running down the narrow hallway. Sailors were beginning to wake up from the commotion. There was yelling and screaming everywhere. Another bomb must've hit cause there was another explosion that shook the boat once again. I could tell the boat was starting to sink due to the slight tilt in the boat. I had to get to the upper deck. I find a large gap in the side of the boat and I knew this was my only chance. The only downside was there was a hell of a lot of fire surrounding the hole. The heat briefly burned my skin as I jumped before I felt the cool rush of the saltwater. I manage to swim under the burning oil which was sitting on top of the water to avoid being cooked alive. When my head finally came above the surface, I looked back at the U.S.S Arizona. The sight was horrific. It looked like the entire ship was on fire. I could see people screaming as they burned to death. I saw people jumping off the boat in hopes of survival. I had to look away.
I began swimming towards a nearby beach, terrified for my life. Once I reached the small section of beach I collapsed in exhaustion. I could hear gasping and moaning. I lifted my head to see a young private who look to have a wound going through his abdomen. I quickly crawled over to him and began to apply pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
"Ma'am... am I gonna die?" The young soldier choked out. He was beginning to cough up blood.
"No, sir. You're gonna be just fine. You're gonna get to go home." I cooed. His coughs became more violent and his breaths were ragged and short.
"Ma'am.... can you m-m-make sure a-a let-t-ter gets ho-o-ome expla-a-inin' th-that I did ever-ything I-I c-c-c-could." I nodded as tears threatened to escape my eyes. I began to feel his breath slow down and the light leaves his eyes. His body was limp. He was gone. He couldn't be older then 20 or 21. He was just a kid. I finally allow a tear to fall as I move my hand over his eyes to close them. Suddenly, I hear what sounds like a plane. I snap my head upward, in the direction of the noise. A Japanese plane swoops down and fires on a smaller ship nearby. The pilot didn't have very good aim and ends up shootin' at the beach. I take cover under some debris nearby. It doesn't do much good. Due to the type and size of the plane's ammo, a bullet was able to cut through almost any type of cover. I had no choice by to pull the young sailor's body on top of me. I was desperate to survive. I felt a sharp pain in my forearm, and look down to see a bullet must've grazed it. As the plane flew away to hit more targets, I quickly crawled out from under the fresh corpse.
I needed to get off this beach. I stood up and I was about to run inland when I heard someone yell from the water. It was a sailor who appeared to be carrying a severe burn victim.
"Ma'am, I need some help. I can't get him out of the water by myself." He yelled despairingly. I looked at the young man, but I couldn't help but to also glance past him. The water was already filled with corpses and wounded sailors. I took a deep breath and ran over to help the sailor carry his comrade onto the beach. Just as I laid down the burn victim, I heard the sickening sound of plane engines. I look up to see a heavy aircraft bomber. There wasn't much time to think.
"TAKE COVER!!" I scream. Everyone either submerged under the water or attempted to swim away as fast as possible. I didn't have enough time to run. The only thing I remember is a loud explosion and everything went black.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
So, it's been awhile. My bad. I am getting ready to finish out this semester so I have been crazy busy travelling and doing things. Sorry if this chapter was a bit boring. I'm glad to be back though and I will try to get out more chapters!!! I hope you enjoyed and don't forget to comment and vote on this story.
