Disclaimer: I do not own Chuck.
September 11, 2026
Lower Manhattan, New York City
9:44 am
William Bartowski stared at the Freedom Tower, the One World Trade Center standing tall. A one-hundred and four story marvel of ingenuity and an example of the determination of this city that has been through so much its four hundred year history from the Great Fire of 1776 to the tragedy of that fateful day this very day twenty-five years ago, his generation was known as Generation Z born after those dark days. The Bartowski family was in the city enjoying a vacation before heading back home to their sleepy Midwestern town tomorrow, school is in session in just four days. Sarah had taken their eldest son Stephen to a little diner nearby for some good breakfast.
''Why do people hurt each other like this?'' His youngest son William asked but he was mostly known by the nickname Liam, he looked like a carbon copy of his father at the age of twelve though his eyes belonged to his mother, baby blues. Chuck wish he knew how to best explain to the twelve-year old boy on why evil exists in this world, why it has existed since the dawn of humanity and why it will always exist.
''Because son, that´s just the way things are unfortunately.'' Chuck replied solemnly as he viewed the reflecting pools of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
''I`ll protect people some day dad,'' Liam said resolutely .. The teenager just in the beginnings of puberty, reads a lot of comic books just like his father does but he hated the notion of injustice and it disgusted him how others can take advantage of the innocent.
''Come on little man, let´s go have some breakfast, we can order some apple pie for dessert.'' Chuck grinned at his youngest ruffling his mop of curly hair.
THE END
Author´s Note: I remember that day so clearly it was third period English, the classroom television we used for lessons was turned on it was news all day and the following weeks. Thinking back I graduated elementary school in 2000, my fifth grade classroom had a perfect view of the towers and I think back wondering what the kid who sat in my old desk must have thought probably the same thing I did. The first year anniversary it was a really windy day in the city, really somber. This is not Beta´d so forgive me about the various mistakes I have made.
Tribute to the 2,753 victims of that terrible day and those who have died and are still dying cause of the toxic debris of the falling towers.
God bless you and god bless America. Never Forget.