Okay, I'm going to apologise now for what I am about to put you through. I'm such a horrible person for putting you through the new friendship/relationship that is about to be developed in this chapter.. Like omfg. Its so cute! But your all going to want to shoot me at the same time. Omfg. Why haven't I been shot yet? I'm such a horrible person for doing this too you all lol.

Basically.. I think this chapter is a "Guess-who-dies-first"... \o/

Flashbacks

Chapter 4

Time: 9:16 a.m.

For a whole minute Laura never said a thing to Riker, she just stood their staring at him in complete shock and panic. Shocked because she honestly thought Riker was missing, trapped or dead... Panic because now Ross and Rydel could die for no reason. Maia was stood next to Riker looking at Laura staring at him like she'd seen a ghost, seen as though the colour quickly rained from her face when she saw him. She looked around and saw that Ross, Rydel, Ratliff and Rocky weren't there which made her begin to wonder. The reason why Maia came down here was because she'd went to Riker's apartment to see if Rocky was there but he wasn't so she came here, and he's not here either.

Riker put his hands on Laura's arms to help support her cause she looked like she was going to collapse or pass out. He noticed how Laura had puffy eyes and she looked like she was going to start crying again, seen as though it looked like she'd already been crying "Laura..." Riker said, hoping it would bring her back to Earth.

"W-where... Where have you been?" Laura asked "I thought you were dead.. Especially when the phone got cut off."

Riker shook his head "No, my phone ran out of battery. I should of told you that when you called," Riker said "when you called I was making my way out of the Tower and it was taking a long while because of how many there were trying to get out."

Riker looked around at Laura's surrounding to see who was with her, when he realised she was on her own. No Ross... No Rydel... no Ratliff... no Rocky. His face dropped from a warm, comforting, reassuring smile to a worried face as he looked down at Laura "Laura.. Where's Ross, Rydel and Rocky?" Riker asked "and Ratliff."

Laura shook her head as she wiped her eyes, trying not to cry in front of Riker and Maia "Rydel.. she ran into the South Tower after it had been hit because she thought you were in there. Then a few minutes later Ross ran into the North Tower thinking Rydel had ran into there so he could get her out.. They haven't been back. So obviously they're still in there."

Riker's eyes widened, he went to push past Laura and the barriers so he could go run in and get Ross and Rydel out before it was too late and one of them died, but he was stopped by Laura and Maia grabbing him. "Riker no!" Maia yelled, helping Laura stop him.

Laura turned Riker to her and kept tight hold of him by his arms as she let a couple of tears fall down her face "Please, Riker no... they've already gone into the Towers and now there's a very high chance we could lose them both right now and I don't want to lose you if it's all I end up having left." Laura begged.

Riker calmed Laura down and pulled her into a hug whilst looking at Maia and the two burning Towers. He sighed "Your not going to lose me, I'm staying right here.." Riker said "right here.."

Laura thought about how she could lose two of the main people in her life and it just hurt her like crazy. Cause if anything else happened to the World Trade Centre right now, then there's an even huger chance that they'll both be killed without a shadow of a doubt. As she kept on thinking about Ross and Rydel something popped up in her mind and occurred to her, which she couldn't believe she asked when she first saw Riker.

She pulled away from the hug and looked up at him "Where's Ratliff?" Laura asked. "he was with you last time we saw him... Where is he?"

Never in Riker's life had he felt his heart drop so fast in his entire life at the mention of Ratliff's name. He remembered exactly where he was, he didn't want to scare Laura but he knew he was going to have to tell her anyway, she wouldn't want to be lied to about him. Riker knows how much she cares about him and if anything happened to him Laura would be devastated. "He was in the underground car park of the North Tower waiting for me.." Riker said as he saw the panic and sadness rush up in Laura's face, which made him know he was making it worse. He continued on talking, which made him want to slap himself senseless for it cause he's just making things worse "Then when I was downstairs... I was walking across the floor where the underground car park is... and there was a bit of the floor that caved in.."

Maia gasped and put her hand over her mouth, she wasn't going to say the next but in case she scared Laura more than she already looked scared. She was just going to wait for Riker or Laura to say it. She didn't want to be the cause of anyone's sadness or panic.

Laura wiped her face with her hands to stop her from having some kind of breakdown, which she knew wasn't going to work "D-do you.. do you think he's trapped?" Laura asked.

Riker shrugged "I-I don't know Laur... they never let me have a look.. they just told me to leave. He could be. I don't know.." Riker saw tears rolling down Laura's face more than they already were and about to "but I'm sure the police and firemen will find them and go down there. There's got to be other people down there.. So he won't be alone. I promise. He'll be okay."

Laura nodded, she then turned around away from Riker and Maia and back at the two towers. That makes it 3 people she cares about more than anything she could lose by the end of today.

Laura screamed as she fell down the tree. Even though she wasn't that far up the tree, it was pretty scary. Most 14 year olds wouldn't be scared of climbing up a tree by now, but Laura was. Hence why Ross, Ratliff, Riker, Rydel, Maia and Rocky were almost at the top of the tree and Laura was still at the bottom. Sometimes she just cursed herself for being such a pussy at climbing things.

She looked up the tree and let out a small whimper as everyone was looking down at her as they climbed up and found a spot to actually settle down on the trees. Ross looked over to Ratliff "Hey," Ross said "maybe you should go down and help her before she's stuck down there forever."

Ratliff sighed before making his way back down the tree, Laura watched as he did. She wasn't expecting anyone to come down and help her, but Ratliff did. Which was sweet of him, she smiled. Ratliff got a little bit from the bottom before he just dropped and landed on his feet. "Right," Ratliff said as he clicked his knuckles "I'm going to give you a boost up... then I'm going to follow you behind and make sure you don't fall. Sound good?"

Laura nodded and Ratliff held out his hands so Laura could stand on them and he could push her up, she put her foot onto his hand and he pushed her up with all his strength he had. Which wasn't hard, most 16 year olds were stronger and could hold the weight of a 14 year old girl. Ratliff held her until she was finally beginning to climb the tree, he then let go and let her get on with it.

He clapped his hands together and rubbed them to get the mud and dirt off his hands from Laura's shoe, seen as though they'd been running around the woods all day. Least he hopes it's mud and not some kind of animal poo. He looked up as he heard the sound of a snapping branch, he looked up to find the branch Laura was about to step on was going to break "Laura! Watch out for that branch!" Ratliff yelled up to her.

Laura heard her voice being called from down below, when she looked down she started to feel dizzy and sick.. Before she knew it she'd lost her balance and fell backwards. "LAURA!" She heard Rydel shout.

Ratliff quickly thought fast on his feet before running underneath Laura, where thankfully he caught her in his arms before she could hit the floor and break a bone or something. Everyone sighed with relief, but then started laughing a little. Laura let out a sigh of relief when she felt two arms catch her, she knew that they were Ratliff's. He slowly put Laura down on the floor as when he had caught her, he ended up going down to the floor a little. But he still stayed knelt next to her. "Thank you.." Laura said as she had her hand on his shoulder, not looking at him.

"Any time, maybe this whole tree climbing thing isn't for you." Ratliff said with a small laugh.

Laura smiled and looked up at Ratliff,. she'd never been this close. She was basically in his face and staring at him deep into his eyes. They'd always been so close and best friends, how had Laura not noticed this before?

That day was something special for Laura, as it was the first time she ever realised that she had feelings for Ratliff. Then for the rest of the day it was practically the best day of her life. She let tears roll down her face as she thought of even more memories of him and her. Like when she was 16, he was 18, it was Christmas..

"Oh would you look at that..." Ross said as he was looking at the ceiling where Ratliff and Laura were stood.

"What...?" Ratliff asked.

He pointed "Mistletoe," He said before looking at them both smiling "now kiss." He smiled.

"N-No," Laura said nervously "he's my friend."

"Oh!" Rocky shouted he's your friend now is he? Wasn't that when me and Ross accidentally stood under that mistletoe was it and you forced us to kiss! Was it? No!"

Everyone in the room let out a small fit of laughter apart from Ross and Rocky who didn't find it amusing in the slightest. Laura smirked, she can't believe she made two brothers kiss who were stood under the mistletoe. Rydel looked over to them both "Laura," Rydel said "be thankful it's you and him, cause I know how Rocky's mind works.. He'd of had me and you under it if he could of."

Laura looked over to Rocky where he was smiling and nodding. Laura rolled her eyes before turning to Ratliff. "Lets just get this over and done with, shall we?" Ratliff asked, with a smile. Laura nodded. She put her hands round his neck and stood on her tiptoes as Ratliff was miles taller than her. They pressed their lips together.

He was her first kiss also. He may as well of been her first everything, saving her best for last which was Ratliff. But now it looks like she'll never be able to be with him. She let a couple of tears roll down her face.

Time: 9:20 a.m.

Ross ran through the North Tower like there was no tomorrow in the desperate hope he would find Rydel and be able to get her out of the place before one of them ended up dead. He wouldn't know if he would be able to bare losing someone in this whole disaster., it wasn't fair that this was happening. There was nothing that could be done about it. Ross kept on having to hide at every corner there was in case there was any police or firemen, cause no doubt they would force Ross to leave and take him out themselves. But at the same time he'd be able to tell them that Rydel was about somewhere.. Then there would be a slight chance she would be saved.

He got up to the next floor he was running up and began to call out Rydel's name as the halls were deserted, all there was, was loose bits of paper on the floor along with pens and paper. "Rydel!" Ross called out, looking left and right down the hall. He let out a cough as he thought he was beginning to inhale smoke from a fire. He didn't know which way to turn to find Rydel, so he just took a chance and turned right seen as though there was another set of stairs leading upstairs. He ran all the way down there and made his way up them.

"RYDEL!" Ross called as he ran up the stairs. As he got up a set of stairs, his legs just gave out of him. Realizing he needed a break, he pulled out his phone in the hope he had a signal strong enough to call Rydel. He saw he had 2 bars, so he quickly dialled Rydel's number as he stayed laid against the stairs. He sighed in frustration as her phone went straight to voicemail, so he tried it again. Nothing.

He gave up and put his phone back into his pocket before jumping up to his feet and running up the stairs. As Ross continued up the stairs of the North Tower, he felt the air around him becoming warmer and tighter from the fire that was obviously burning in the building somewhere close to where he was. Now he knew he was close to where the plane crashed. Surely Rydel never got this far up, cause if she did then he gives her credit for being a fast runner. Rydel never exactly struck him as a very fit person.

Ross ran up about 4 flights of stairs before he came to another floor. He stood in the middle of the corridor and began to catch his breath, feeling himself sweating as the heat was getting hotter and he was becoming more breathless. Ross looked left and right for the sign of Rydel or any body else for that matter, but nothing was there. "Ryde-" Ross never got to finish off that sentence as he coughed. Ross lent against the closest wall and shut his eyes catching his breath.

There was no point in taking breaks as Ross knew he was wasting time, he went to turn round and run up the staircase at the end of the corridor when he heard something. He heard a cry. A feared cry. It didn't sound like an adult.. It sounded like...

A kid?

Ross turned around slowly to see where it came from "Hello?" Ross called out "is anyone there?" He slowly made his way up the corridor and he heard the tears again. Ross rubbed his eyes and looked down the corridor where he saw a little boy stood against a wall crying, looking down the corridor at him. Ross's eyes widened.

How could someone leave a little kid in a building on fire?

Ross immediately ran down the corridor to the little boy who looked about five years old. When he got up to him he knelt down in front of him and wiped his face with his hand "Hey, hey, it's okay, you can stop crying, I'm here," Ross said giving him a comforting smile "even though.. you don't know me.. but.. hey-ho! I'm sure we'll end up liking each other..." Ross paused, realising how wrong that must of sounded "... he tried to say in a none-pedophilic way.."

The boy just looked at Ross as if he was crazy whilst still tears were rolling down his face. Ross sighed "Where are you parents and family?" Ross asked.

"I-I dwon't k-k-kknow.." He said, crying.

Ross nodded, he looked round the corner of the wall from where the boy was stood where he saw dead bodies. Three dead bodies. He looked at the boys face before back at the bodies, he wasn't going to lie the resemblance between them was uncanny. Which made Ross realize... Those were his parents. He sighed and shut his eyes before looking up at the boy smiling "Well, I'm Ross," Ross said "and what's your name?"

"Josh.."

"Well then, Josh," Ross started "do you trust me? I promise I'll get you out of here.."

Josh nodded "I twust you."

Ross nodded "Good." Ross then picked up Josh into his arms, there's was no point in trying to find Rydel anymore. There was no use for it the Twin Towers are too big to look for one person, so he just decided he would get Josh out of here and then go see if Rydel got out the North Tower, if not he would go back in.

Rydel ran around the South Tower frantically in desperation she would find Riker, she didn't care if she died trying to find him, Just as long as he got out. She ran past firemen who were in the building, they told her to leave but she just ignored them all. At one point she even found herself being chased by one of them but luckily she lost them. Rydel was a stubborn person like Rocky. But he gets it more from Rydel, even though Rocky's more stubborn than her.

She kept on screaming and calling out Riker's name as she had tears rolling down her face. Soon, Rydel found herself getting closer and closer to the top where the plane had crashed into the building as she could see the black smoke from the fire and bits of fire on the floor and walls. Was she really going to risk going up there? Yes she was.

Rydel lifted the collar of the top she was wearing under her jacket and put it under her mouth so she could breathe and wouldn't inhale any smoke that was where she was going. She climbed the stairs which were leading upstairs, when thoughts started entering her mind telling her that she should leave before it was too late and she died. Rydel got halfway upstairs where the fire was getting worse and the smoke was worse, when finally she had seen sense to leave and go back outside and have some air. She was beginning to sweat, her face was starting to go a little black from the smoke as well as her blonde hair.

As Rydel turned round to leave, the smoke had became too much for her to bare. She passed out and ended up on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. Sadly, Rydel had failed to notice the cracks in the ceiling when she was conscious, them cracks were starting to get bigger and bigger and bigger. Eventually the ceiling collapsed around Rydel as she stayed knocked out, making her trapped surrounding by fire and rubble for when she woke up.

Now there was NO way out for her.

Rydel sat down on the steps of her - now - old family home she'd shared with her brothers and parents ever since she was a baby whilst Riker, Rocky and Ross were packing all their things into the back of a van. Sometimes she wished she'd never agreed with her brothers she'd move with them from L.A to New York City. Don't get Rydel wrong, she knows how beautiful New York City is with Times Square, The World Trade Centre and the other things that make New York beautiful, but she just doesn't think she'd be able to bare being away from home. She'd miss everyone.

They were all basically leaving Ratliff, Laura and Maia behind. That hurt because she'd known them since they were babies.

Riker finished packing some of the things into the back of a truck when he looked over to see Rydel sat over on the steps. He walked over to her and sat by her closely "What's wrong Delly?" He asked.

Rydel shook her head and sighed "Nothing," Rydel said "I'm just having second thoughts about moving to New York.. I don't think I want to any more."

Riker sighed "Why not? You love New York. It wouldn't be the same if it was just me, Ross and Rocky going."

"Then take Ryland with you."

"Ryland doesn't want to go, we already asked him." Riker said. He looked at Rydel "Is this about Maia, Laura and Ratliff?"

Rydel nodded. Riker sighed "I wasn't going to tell you this... but... They're coming with us."

Rydel looked at Riker with a smile "Really?!"

"Yes! I pulled some strings with their parents and they agreed to let them come live with us. So long as they finish school. Which makes sense cause Ross still needs to. But I got that sorted, they're waiting in New York for us as we speak."

Rydel let out a little squeak before attacking Riker with a hug "Oh my gosh Riker! Thank you so much! I love you! Your the best big brother ever!"

Riker smiled and hugged Rydel back, as he balanced himself from not falling off the stairs "Yeah, yeah, I love you too."

Rydel laid still on the floor, still unconscious from passing out as the fire burned around her.

Ross doesn't know how long he'd been running around the North Tower trying to find an exit so he and Josh could get out, but it felt like forever. The good thing was they'd got away from the burning heat of the fire from the plane, but they could still feel it so they weren't that far away from it. Eventually Ross decided he needed to take a break from running so he sat down on the stairs he was running down and sat Josh on his lap as he took a few breaths, trying to catch his own breath. He looked at Josh "Are you going to start running or walking with me so I don't take another break?" Ross asked as he leant against the wall under the banister.

Josh shook his head. He was only a little kid with small legs, he wouldn't be able to run near as fast as Ross or get out at the same time of him. Ross nodded "Thought so.." He shut his eyes. Josh looked up at Ross and down at his neck where he saw Ross's silver long necklace he was wearing, at first Josh thought it was a little bit girly Ross would be wearing a necklace but he saw a whilst at the end of it and well Josh's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He put his tiny hands around it. Ross looked down at Josh when he felt him fiddling with his whistle necklace "What are you doing?" Ross asked.

Josh looked back up at Ross, still having hold of the whistle part of his necklace "It's a whistwle."

Ross nodded "It is..."

"I want wone.." Josh said, so fascinated by it. Ross just laughed at him "Well, you can't have this one." Ross said as he took the whistle part out of Josh's hands. The shirt Josh was wearing caught Ross's eyes, it was of superhero's. Ross wasn't really surprised, most little boys loved superhero's "So you one of those boys that adore superhero's then?"

Josh smiled brightly again, he had totally forgotten about his surroundings and what was going on. He had done ever since Ross had been trying to get him out which was what made Ross so happy about Josh, he didn't have to worry about calming him down more. "I love supwerhewo's!" Josh said, getting all excited. "they're my favwote."

"So would you say obsessed then?" Ross asked, even though there was a slight chance Josh might not know what "obsessed" meant.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," Ross said shaking his head. He then picked Josh up and stood up deciding it was time to move again "Say Josh, when I get you out of here, will you call me a superhero?" Ross asked, joking of course.

Josh shook his head "No."

Ross shrugged "Worth a shot, right?" Ross asked before letting out a small laugh and proceeding to get himself and Josh out.

Time: 9:36 a.m.

Rocky and Ratliff both stayed still in the bottom of the underground car park, Rocky had tried several times to get Ratliff out from where he was but nothing was working. It wouldn't budge and Rocky was getting really frustrated over the fact he might not be able to save his best friend and it hurt him like hell. He looked over to Ratliff with sympathy every time he would let out hisses of pain from the rubble lying on top of his leg. After a while of Ratliff keeping on whimpering in pain, Rocky had enough. He got back on his knees and tried with all his force to get the rubble off his legs.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. Ow! Ow! Ow! OW! OW! OWWWWWWWWWW!" Ratliff kept on chanting in pain louder and louder as Rocky kept on trying to move it.

Rocky ignored Ratliff's cries of pain, he wanted him to get out of there now. He didn't care if it hurt him, he needed him out of there before it was too late for him. "Rocky stop!" Ratliff shouted as the pain just hurt more and more. Rocky finally stopped and slumped himself against the wall next to Ratliff again "I-it's just useless.." Ratliff sighed "it's obvious your not going to get me out of here.. You should just leave, go find Maia and be with her."

Silence fell between them both as Rocky knew deep down that Ratliff was right, it was useless to get him out. But he still wasn't going to give up on getting him out. Ratliff sighed and looked at Rocky sadly "You know Rocky," Ratliff said "I never really thought I'd have a best friend like you... Your great. I love you for that."

Rocky shook his head he knew what Ratliff was doing, he wasn't going to accept that "No, Ratliff," Rocky said "your are not saying goodbye to me okay! I'm getting you out of here whether you like it or not... Whether it causing you great pain or you lose a fucking a limb.. I don't give two shades of shit if you do. If it hurts, bite down... Your getting out of here even if I have to get into your care and knock off the rubble with the back end of it. I don't care! Your not dying!"

Ratliff was taken back by what Rocky had just said to him, he smiled at him but then it faded as he knew that some how Rocky would finally give up on him. It just reminded of Ratliff the time he, Rocky and Ross had got into a car crash, he was trapped in the car and he couldn't move and the car was leaking gas which meant it could set on fire. Rocky tried his best to get him out, he never left him one bit. He finally got him out though.

Rocky nudged Ratliff in the arm and gave him a reassuring smile "It's okay," Rocky said "I'm going to get you out of here."

"It's okay, I'm going to get you out of here!" Rocky said as he had one hand on Ratliff's shoulder and looking down to where Ratliff had his legs trapped in the car.

Ratliff shook his head, he felt like crying the pain was that great. Though he supposed this is what himself, Rocky and Ross get for driving around in the woods in the middle of the night when nobody can find him. Oh yeah, also the last time Ratliff lets Rocky drive in the night. Rocky may be 18 and legal to drive, but never again is Ratliff letting him. Or Ross if Ross ever gets a car.

Rocky looked around searching for solutions to try get him out of there, he looked over to Ross who was over on the other side of the passenger seat in the front. All Ross had was a cut on his head which was a pretty deep cut seen as though it was drooping down the side of his head, as for Rocky he's pretty sure one of his ribs is broken but he doesn't care. Ratliff's the one that needs the most attention rather than himself. Rocky looked over to Ross "Ross, I know your not the best person to go running to see if you can find someone with your head being the way it is.. But please.. we need help."

"No, I'm not leaving you both behind," Ross said, he then looked at Ratliff "we will somehow get you out of here.. I promise."

Rocky made Ratliff twist his body around a little bit and put his arms under his arms before trying to pull him out, but that didn't work either. It just made Ratliff scream like a little girl. "Ratliff, your 19 not 9.. Stop screaming like your balls haven't dropped." Ross said getting frustrated.

"Oh I'm sorry! Swap places with me won't you and then tell me if you won't fucking scream like a 9 year old!" Ratliff shouted at Ross through gritted teeth in pain.

Rocky got out from the car and looked on the floor by shining the light on his phone screen on it for a little while until he came across two big sticks. He picked them both up before running back to the car. Rocky went round to the side Ross was on "Ross, go put your arms under Ratliff, pull him out when I say okay." Rocky said. Ross nodded before running round to the other side of the car.

"Ratliff," Rocky said as Ratliff looked at him "bite down on this." He said putting one of the sticks to his mouth.

Ratliff looked at Rocky as if he was crazy "Your kidding me right.." Ratliff said.

"No, but if you want to go through pain without having something to bite or squeeze then it's the twig unfortunately..." Rocky said. Before Ratliff could protest to Rocky, Rocky shoved the stick into his mouth so he was biting down on it. He got the other strong stick and put it under the metal of the car which was crushing his legs, he waited as Ross wrapped his arms around Ratliff waiting for the signal to pull him out. Rocky pushed down on the stick several times, until finally he found the strength to make the stick push the metal up. "Ross! Now! Pull him out!" Rocky said.

Without hesitation, Ross immediately pulled Ratliff out from where he was making Ratliff spit out the stick and scream in pain. He got him out and fell out of the car with Ratliff on top of him. Ross coughed as he hit the floor "There we go... are you okay now?" Ross asked, still having hold of Ratliff.

"Yeah," Ratliff said moving off Ross beside him "I think so." Ratliff hissed in pain because of his legs and looked down at them both "I think my legs are broke though.. Ow.."

Ross laughed and Rocky came round from the car and looked down at Ross and Ratliff on the floor "'Thank you Rocky for saving me, it meant a lot' No problem Ratliff! Any time!" Rocky said, with sarcasm seen as though Ratliff hadn't thanked him yet.

"Thank you?" Ratliff said, making him and Ross laugh.

Rocky sighed and put his head against the car park wall as he thought of that day, to think.. That was only about a year ago. Now look. Here they are a year later stuck in the same situation except they can't get Ratliff out this time and Ross isn't here.

Maybe he might not get Ratliff out after all.

Time: 9:48 a.m.

Rydel slowly felt herself waking up after blacking out from running down the stairs, she hadn't opened her eyes yet. But already she could feel the heat of what seemed like fire in her surroundings, much hotter than it was before. Slowly, Rydel opened her eyes and she got the fright of her life when she saw she was surrounded by fire to the point where she was trapped. The stairs were blocked and the corridor was. She panicked.

Rydel sat up on the floor where there was space and wasn't surrounded by fire and began to shuffle backwards way from all the fire until her back collided with a wall. She looked around where she saw the light of a window which seemed to be her only escape route at the moment. That's if she could get passed the fire and she doesn't think that was going to happen. She let tears form at her eyes as she realized she was now at death's door basically. She failed to save Riker and now she's dying herself. This wasn't the way she imagined her death.

All of a sudden, Rydel felt her phone in her pocket vibrating a little bit which meant she was getting a call. Which was weird because she thought she wouldn't of been able to get a signal in here. She took out her phone and saw the called ID was Riker. She answered it without hesitation "Riker... Oh my god.. I'm so glad you... called.." Rydel said as she coughed between words and was becoming breathless from the smoke.

"Rydel!" Riker said with relief as he was stood with Laura and Maia "I'm so glad your alive and okay! Where are you? Laura and Maia told me you went into the South Tower. Are you making your way out?"

Rydel's face dropped "W-wait... You got out?" Rydel asked.

"I got out about 5 minutes after you ran in Rydel and Ross ran into the North Tower after you thinking you went into that one."

Silence fell over the phone as there was a sense of panic coming from both Riker and Rydel. Before Rydel had ran into the South Tower, something was telling her deep inside not to run in incase Riker did get out. And he did. Now she's going to die. This is what she gets for being stupid, isn't it? "Rydel, where are you?" Riker asked.

"I'm... I'm trapped Riker.." Rydel said as she began to cry.

Riker looked at Maia and Laura with panic and ran his hand through his hair as he looked up to the South Tower where it was burning. He literally felt tears prick at his eyes "Rydel, is there somewhere you can get out? If your trapped there has to be a way you can get out.." Riker said, practically begging hoping there was.

"She's trapped?" Laura said, panicked and about to cry more than she was.

Riker looked at Laura and nodded. Rydel shook her head, even though Riker couldn't hear her "The only escape is... the window and... That's too far from where I can.. reach," Rydel said through tears and coughing between words still. She looked around until she looked next to her where she saw a door. She smiled with relief "Wait! There's a door!" Rydel said as she got up from the floor with all her strength. Rydel put her hand on the door handle and swung it open with all the strength she had, but her smile faded when she realised it was a small cupboard where the cleaners kept their supplies.

Rydel let tears fall out her eyes as she realised this really was the end of the line for her. "Riker.. I'm so sorry." She said, crying again and coughing.

Riker's hopeful smile just faded "It wasn't a way you could get out was it.."

"No, it was a cupboard." She cried as she put her hand through her hair.

"I'm so sorry for being this stupid and running in."

"No, Rydel, your not stupid," Riker said "I'd of done the same if you or anybody else I knew and cared for was in there.. Please... Just don't say goodbye because I know your going to get out of there."

Rydel didn't believe a single word Riker had just said, she knew that Riker was just saying it to make Rydel feel better. She leant against the wall and watched the fire burn as the smoke continued to get inside of her lungs and mouth. "Riker... Put Laura on the phone.. Please.." Rydel said.

Riker looked at Laura and put the phone to her "She wants you Laura.." Riker said.

Laura took the phone from Riker and put it to her ear "Rydel..." Laura said as she was starting to cry again. She'd only just managed to calm herself down until Riker had called Rydel.

"Laura, baby... I'm so sorry," Rydel said "I shouldn't... of left you and... Ross.. I should... of stayed.." Rydel tried to fit her words into one sentence but the smoke was getting thicker and thicker as the fires started to get bigger and bigger.

Laura shook her head and looked up the the South Tower at the many floors that were there filling with smoke at the though Rydel could be at any one of them. "Rydel, it's okay. I understood why you went.. I just wish you would of decided to turn back earlier than you did.."

Rydel nodded and shut her eyes as tears fell down her face quicker "I'm so sorry Laura... You've been a great... best... friend to me and like the sister I've... never had, I shouldn't... of left you like... that."

"It's okay Rydel... You've been the same.."

"I'm gonna miss you.."

"I'm gonna miss you too..." Laura said as there was now no stopping her tears or sobs "please try to hold on a little longer.. You never know the firemen might reach you!" She said, hoping like hell that is what might happen.

Rydel shook her head and coughed violently "C'mon Laura, we both know that's... not going to happen... They... would... of been... by... now." Once again silence fell again and it wasn't a good silence "Goodbye Laura.."

"G-g-goodbye Rydel.." Laura said before taking the phone from her ear. She turned and faced Maia "Do you want to..?" Laura asked.

Maia shook her head as she let tears roll down her cheeks "I don't think I'll be able to bare it, Laur... I don't want to say goodbye. She knows I love her though.."

Rydel nodded as she heard Maia say those words through the phone, even though she couldn't see her. Riker took the phone from Laura and put Rydel on speaker phone so they could all hear her. "Rydel, you have to find a way out.. Please. I don't want be responsible for letting you die like this. I really don't. I don't want you to die." Riker said as his voice cracked.

Rydel just smiled through her tears and violent coughs "It's... okay... Riker... It's not... your fault... it's my own for... going in." She said, before coughing even more than she already was to the point where she's certain she coughed up blood into her hand. She rubbed it on her jean leg to get the blood off her hand. She took a deep breath, not even caring she was inhaling large amounts of smoke. She was going to die anyway.

And not from the smoke or fire getting into her lungs and burning her. From something else.

Rydel looked up to the ceiling as she thought she heard the South Tower shake and crack a little bit, she didn't know if it was apart of her imagination or what... "Riker... What time.. is it?" Rydel asked as she coughed.

Riker looked at his watch "9:55 a.m."

There it was again, the building cracked. She was almost sure it did. "Riker... Did you just... hear the building crack..?"

Riker, Laura and Maia looked to the South Tower to the top of it "No.." Riker said "why did you?"

"Yeah.." Rydel said as she leant against the wall and slid down it until she came into contact with the floor again.

Rydel became more and more scared as she heard a bigger crack sound, she let her tears fall more rapidly than they already were "Tell Laura... She better get her ass... with Ratliff tonight and... date him... Other wise... I swear to... god I'm... gonna... come back and... haunt the both... of you."

Laura let out a small laugh but still crying. She would get with Ratliff tonight, not just for herself but for Rydel too. Riker looked over to Laura where he saw her nodding with tears rolling down her cheeks "I love you Rydel..." Laura said through tears.

Rydel smiled "I love you too... Laur," Rydel said "Maia... I swear to god, you... better take... good care... of Rocky and make... sure he... gets... what... he.. deserves... or... I'll... haunt... you too!" Rydel's head shot up to the ceiling as she heard another crack and metal crunching sound "I know... I wasn't nice... to Rocky.. this... morning... when he was... telling me... about... that... horrible... dream... he had... last night... I was... a... total... bitch... I... never... even... said... sorry... or... that I love... him. Please tell him... I'm... sorry... and I... love him... always will.." Rydel said as she was finding it really difficult to breathe right now and concentrate "If Ross... gets out... of... The... North... Tower... Tell him... I... should... of... listened... to him... as... Laura and stayed with them both," She said the last part quickly as her voice got higher as she ran out of breath. She took a deep breath "tell him.. I love him too.. Tell all... my... baby... brothers... I... love them.. Including... Ratliff..." She paused "I love you... too.. Riker..."

Riker smiled, trying not to cry in front of Laura and Maia, seen as though them two were stood there holding each other as they cried "I love you De-" Riker never had a chance to finish off the sentence. The phone line between him and Rydel went dead. "Delly.." He finished off with a crack in his voice as the sound of the line being dead went off between the three of them. Riker looked down to his watch and looked at the time: 9:58 a.m.

Riker, Laura and Maia turned round and looked up at the South Tower after Riker put his phone into his pocket.

Rydel let her hand fall to the floor and her phone fall out of her hand as this time she had lost all the energy in her body to even function any more. The most she could do was breathe what little air she had left and turn her had as she looked out the window directly in front of her outside which was the only thing bringing in light. She let tears fall down her cheek at a rapid pace with no stopping them as memories and flashbacks played throughout her mind of her, Laura, Riker, Rocky, Ratliff, Ross and Maia. Good ones and bad ones.

She was pulled away from them thoughts though when she felt the South Tower begin to shake. Not because of another plane hitting it.. Oh no.. she knew it was something else. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it,. The building shook violently and bits of dust and ceiling started to fall from the ceiling, she looked outside where the the light was blocked by some big black cloud of dust. Which it clicked to her mind what was going on.

The building was collapsing.

Rydel quickly grabbed her phone and opened up the screen where the last thing she saw was the photo of her, Ratliff, Laura, Rocky, Ross, Maia and Riker. She held it tightly to her chest as the vibrations of the building got worse as the South Tower collapsed and got closer to Rydel's floor.

Next thing Rydel knew.

Everything went black.

Riker, Laura and Maia looked away from the South Tower after the line went dead between them and Rydel. All of a sudden they heard a rumble come up from above and people screaming, the three looked up where they saw the South Tower which Rydel was in was collapsing at a fast pace, leaving a big cloud of dust behind. "OH MY GOD!" Laura screamed as she broke down in tears.

"RYDEL!" Riker screamed, even though he knew that wasn't going to bring her back. Nothing was.

Rydel was gone.

This was almost 8,000 words. WOW. I think I'm proud of it... I don't know.. cx But anyway.. So.. Rydel's dead.. Once again,.. I'm sorry she's 1/3 people who died.. O. Sorry!

But on a lighter note, who likes Josh? :D I love him! I think he's going to be the BEST fictional character I've wrote about! Don't worry! Ross/Josh's relationship is going to get better and cuter like omfg. I have it all written down and your going to love it! That's the ONLY thing that's going to make this story more happier unfortunately.

Like I said.. Feel free to shoot, kill or throw things at me right now OR when the stories finished...

PLEASE REVIEW! :) 8 reviews or more for the next one! :D