Author's Note: I hope I haven't offended anyone by writing about such an undescribable, horrible day. I am truly sorry if I hurt you. I do not intend to make light of 9/11 in anyway. Here is the next chapter. Please read and review. Oh and what is in italics are lines from a poem I wrote. I'm not sure if I'll have more in the next chapter or not. Thanks for all the reviews! I love them. Haha. Have a great day.

Chapter Two: Dear God

In one quick moment

the plane is sent.

Erupting into flames

nothing will be the same.

8:46 a.m.

"This job---" Marissa heard a loud crash from above, the whole floor shook. "Whoa, what was that?"

"I have no idea. Excuse me for a moment."

Marissa sat still in her chair, wanting to continue with the interview. She was sure that whatever the noise was it wasn't going to cause harm.

Dean Hamilton returned, "Well I have no idea what that was, but Susan, the receptionist made a call to the main desk to find out what happened. It was probably nothing."

Marissa nodded, "So, should I…?"

"Yes, please. Continue."

Marissa swallowed, "This job would suit all my interests and I feel like I can really bring something to the table." 'Bring something to the table? What the fuck was she thinking?'

"Indeed."

There was a tap on the door and it was suddenly opened, "Mr. Hamilton. We are being told to evacuate. It appears a plane crashed into the building and… I…"

"Oh my God." Marissa's hand flew to her mouth. 'What's going on? Planes don't normally just crash into buildings do they? I mean a huge structure isn't that hard to miss.'

"This… Well, we can't take the elevators can we? We will have to use the stairs." Mr. Hamilton said, seriousness in his voice, "Let's go. Now."

31 floors

until they would reach the door.

And out into the light

What a horrid, disastrous sight.

Meanwhile…

"Does anyone know--" He was cut off by a loud scream from down the hall.

"Looks like someone peed their pants again." A male student shouted from the back row. Everyone laughed.

Ryan shook his head, he didn't remember being that immature when he was starting out in college. "I'll be right back." He announced to the class.

He walked to the end of the hall and entered Professor Thompson's room. Inside, students were hovered around an old TV, fear and devastation in their eyes.

"What's going on?" Ryan asked turning to the TV.

"The North Tower. The--" A girl shuttered in horror, "A plane crashed into the North Tower of The World Trade Center! The building is being evacuated. Oh my God, oh my God!"

Ryan's mind went blank. 'Marissa had an interview there this morning. She's still… Fuck, what floor was she on? The 3rd? She's probably already out safe, trying to call me.'

Ryan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. No missed calls. He dialed her number quickly and listened to the ring. 'Come on. Answer.' She didn't. 'It's probably still on silent.'

He ran back to his room and dismissed all of his students who were confused and equally as distraught. Hailing a Taxi, Ryan directed the driver towards The World Trade Center. "It's a mess there, sir. It's night everyday planes fly into buildings and no one knows the cause. Roads are blocked off."

"Just get me as close as you can." Ryan replied, angrily. His temper was rising and so was her heartbeat. He couldn't help but think the worst. 'What if the building… collapses? What if Marissa…? Fuck.'

He called Marissa again. 'Hey, it's Marissa. I'm not here right now so leave me a message and I'll get back to you. Have a good day! Bye." 'Have a good day? It was supposed to be a good day, but now…' Ryan wasn't used to not knowing what was going on.

After leaving Marissa a message he called Seth. "Hey man. What's up?"

"Seth turn on your TV."

"But I'm playing Play Station." He argued.

"Damn it, Seth, turn it on!"

"Okay, okay-- Holy shit. What the fuck is going on? Where was this? A plane crashed into--- What? The World Trade Center? But that's--"

"Seth, Marissa is in there! She had an interview today and--" Ryan could barely talk, nothing made sense.

"She… I'm sure she made it out by now Ryan. Did she answer her phone? I bet she's back at the apartment waiting for you."

"I… I'll call you back. Keep watching the news. Call me if they find out any more information." Ryan hung up.

He called the apartment, hoping Marissa would answer. "Hey it's Marissa! And Ryan." There was laughter. "We're busy or not home, so call us back."

The North Tower

It had taken 15 minutes just to get down three flights of stars. The small space was crowded with frantic people, pushing and shoving each other. She had tried to call Ryan but her phone wasn't working.

'Come on people. Go a little faster.' Marissa thought to herself. She was starting to feel claustrophobic and really wanted to get out of there. She still had no idea what was going on other than a plane had crashed high above her.

'One. Two. Three.' Marissa counted her steps. She looked to the woman beside her who was crying. "Are you alright ma'am?" Marissa asked.

"I'm going to die aren't I?"

"No you're going to be just fine. In a few minutes you'll be outside perfectly safe." Marissa tried to reassure the woman and herself. "Do you have family waiting for you?"

The woman smiled, "I have a son and daughter. My husband passed away three years ago in a car accident."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure your son and--What are their names?" Marissa asked.

"Grace and Ben. Ben is 16 and Grace just turned 10. She had a birthday party a week ago and I got her this little MyScene doll she had been wanting."

"Well, when you get home tell her I said happy birthday."

The woman nodded slowly.

Marissa figured they had made their way down at least 3 more flights of stairs. When she inhaled deeply, smoke filled her lungs and she began to cough violently. There, on the 24th floor of the staircase, surrounded by complete strangers, Marissa did something she hadn't done in a long time.

She prayed.

With broad, white wings

they descend from the sky.

Angels from above

will rescue us with love.