The Journey to Freedom: Path to WW3

Chapter LVI

The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender or submission.

John F. Kennedy

"Nicholas! Come to the rec room! Hurry!" Lawrence tells me in a fast, huffy tone.

I get up from my bed and run right after him and everyone is standing up looking at the TV.

"This just in, we have a live shot that a plane has crashed into the world trade center. We have no confirmation if it was an accident or if it was hijacked, we are trying to get information from eyewitnesses right now, as of now witnesses are saying that the plane was flying too low and it hit one of the towers in New York." The reporter says on tv.

"Damn bro, you realize that if it was a terrorist attack, then we are going to war?" Lawrence says.

I look at the TV and say out loud "We are at war now. This was no accident. Everyone better call their families. Most likely in the next week or two, we will be shipping out."

Everyone looks at me and says it was probably an accident and that there is no real evidence saying that it was an attack.

"Nicholas, do you really think that this is an attack on us?" AB asks me.

I look at him and ask him if I am serious about the plane crashing into the tower as an accident or "is it serious because I can feel that it is a declaration of war?" I tell him.

He looks at me and says that he's going to call his girlfriend. I tell Lawrence to call his family also. I start walking away and some of the soldiers go do the same. I get on the phone and call my mom.

"Hola mijo, como va todo en la base?" My mom asks.

"Everything is fine here at the base. Have you seen the news yet? If not, then turn it on because a plane just crashed into the world trade center in New York and I think that someone just attacked us, and if someone did, then most likely I'll be shipping out next week, if not, then a few days from now." I tell her.

She tells me that she turns on the news and sees it on her Spanish news. She tells me that she's never seen anything like this except for a few years ago when the world trade center was bombed. I ask her to repeat what she said. And she does, and then it hits me.

"Mom, I think this was a declaration of war. If they bombed it a few years ago, then whoever did it, is finishing the job now." I tell my mom.

"Oh my god! Another plane has just crashed into the building next to it!" My mom says with fear.

I tell her that I would call her back and yell "Another plane just hit the next tower!"

I run to the rec room and look at the TV. The newscaster says in frantic mood that another plane has just crashed in the other twin tower.

I sit down and say "We're at war now gentlemen."

We get out of the elevator and Josh tells me to not continue the story until he gets back. I tell him that I won't. Jasmine, Karen and I head outside and start walking to the houses and ask anyone if the houses are ok and if they need fixing. Out of the 10 houses that were here, 8 of them were ok. The other 2 only needed a toilet fixed and a new stove. I call Josh on the radio and tell him to bring me a new toilet and a stove. He tells me that he doesn't have any money. I tell him to come back so I can give him some. We walk back to the house and Josh pulls up at the same time we get there. I tell him to wait while I get the money. Jasmine asks me if it was ok for her and Karen to start lunch and I tell them that it was ok and that while they did that, I was going to go with Josh to get the stuff we need. Jasmine tells me ok and I go downstairs and head for the supply room. I get a backpack and put in about 500 thousand pesos in it. I also take a knife and a .45 with two clips just in case. I go back upstairs and Karen tells me to be careful, I smile and tell her I would. I go up to Jasmine and kiss her on the forehead and tell her that I would be back in a few hours.