~ This is an idea that I had a little while ago and have been juggling it around as I wrote before I decided to post it. Now I do want to say up front, My heart goes out to all the families that lost someone on that horrifying day and in my world, everyone got out safely and lived. This does involve the twin towers and September 11th. Just a warning for anyone who might not be comfortable reading this. But remember, in my world, everyone lives.
The sky was clear, this early September morning. We were stuck in a layover at the New York Airport. Our flight got canceled, and my grandmother and I have been sitting her for a few hours seeing if they could get it rescheduled. I leaned on my grandmother as we waited for an update from the counter people. It was only five am and I was ready to pass out.
We've been in New York for a week going through audition, after audition for the college I wanted to go to. I wanted to sing. Nothing made me happier and I wanted to share it with the world. Unfortunately, the collages told the girls, this year, they would have to get back to everyone. So now my grandmother and I were waiting at the airport at five am, when our flight was suppose to be at midnight. I went up to the lady at the counter to ask if there were any updates.
"Can I help you ma'am?" The lady asked. I spoke with her for a few minutes and found that they would not be able to get us on a plane until the next day. At the airports expense, they rented us a hotel room. Collecting my grandmother, we went to the Doubletree hotel. We both checked in and laid down to sleep. About an hour and a half later I was woken. My grandmother was deep asleep. Stepping to the window I was shocked to see smoke coming from the twin towers. I stood there, not knowing what to do. Another plane came my vision, and to add to the horror, it crashed into the other tower.
"Grandma, I gotta go," I said waking her up.
"Melody, what's wrong?" I told her what I had saw and felt that I had to go and help. She begged me not to go, but I had to. I left the hotel and had a cab take me as close to the world trade center as he dared. On foot I continued the rest of the way. Smoke filled the scene and ash everywhere. Firemen were just arriving. Covering my mouth, I ran into one of the buildings and started running up the stairs. A few floors up, I stopped when I heard terrified shrieking. Coughing, I went inside and found people huddles under their desk. I rounded up as many people as I could find and directed them to the stairs. With the remaining people, I made a hand link chain and slowly we went down the stairs. A fireman stopped to assist us but I told him to go help others. I would get these people out.
The air was thicker outside. As the people ran, I turned to go back in. A fireman stopped me saying that it was too dangerous. Since I couldn't get back in I helped people outside who were injured. Time seemed to stand still. A block, or so, away from the buildings, I hear a crack. As if there hasn't been enough terror today, one of the towers collapsed. I turned to run as fragments of the building showered towards us. I got hit from behind and fell forward. Hearing crashing all around me, I covered my head. Dust cleared and I tried to get up and couldn't. After a few minutes I found that I was pinned by a corner of the building like an upside down V. I couldn't take in a deep breath and screamed for help, but no one could lift the building. When it seemed that no one was around I heard a voice.
"Everything is going to be alright." Looking around I saw what looked like a giant turtle. He wore a mask but I couldn't make out the color. All of a sudden the building was gone and the turtle helped me up. He steadied me and walked me to a side of a building, facing away from the towers. I thanked him and leaned against it closing my eyes. When I opened them, he was gone. Tired and exhausted I made my way back to the hotel. When I came in I found a note from my grandmother saying that she went to the restaurant to get some food.
I sluggishly made my way to the bathroom, and saw my face was covered in ash and my clothes were filthy. I showered and came out to find my grandmother at the window watching the towers. I let her know I was there and she gripped me in a bear tight hug. She squeezed my stomach making me gasp. Asking what was wrong I told her what had happened. We ended up staying at the doubletree for a month before our flight was rescheduled home. At the airport, I was thinking. I never found out who that turtle was, or even if I saw the sight correctly.
~ Please tell me what you think. Thank you, and happy reading!