9:46 AM September 11th
I woke up to the sound of steel tearing and grinding against another piece of steel. I felt an odd pain as I looked around to see nothing but darkness. I tried to remember where I was and what happened, but it was so foggy, and my head hurt so badly. I could feel my legs, and knew that was a good sign, but I couldn't find them, which frightened me. I reached up to grab a steel beam that was above me to get up when I heard something searing. I screamed, but it came out more like a sigh as I moved my hand fast. The movement of my hand made me cringe as I felt something crack. It was 4 of my ribs. Realizing I felt something oozing down my neck I reached back as well as I could to feel a huge gash above my ear. How long have I been here? I sniffled and all I smelled was the mix of burning paper and flesh. Feeling queasy I searched for a way to get out. I could feel down to waist when I felt something hard and small. I struggled to pull it out. I tried to smile, realizing I could call for help when I realized my cheekbone was broken as well. I turned the phone on, hearing the opening tune I heard it echo around the walls around me. Looking up I saw a maze of concrete 6 inches above. If that comes down I am dead. I looked at the time, and realized it was 10:01 AM on 9/12/01. That sent back memories of the woman, the new guy and the loud banging of floor on floor as the building caved in on itself. I winced at I trailed through the list of numbers until I got to my brothers cell phone number. I pressed call and heard it dialing, as well as the echo. I heard his pick up, he sounded terrible. When I tried to talk, it came out raspy and hoarse. As I talked I felt the burning in my chest, but I was too weak to figure out what was wrong with me. I finally got to speak enough for him to hear me. "Maurice...." Silence. "I need..help... please... hurry... " I could hear him crying my name but the phone slipped and hit the concrete slab to my left about 5 inches from my hand as I lost consciousness. The sound of rubble hitting rubble and the dust of some concrete hitting my head was the last memory I have.
I woke up to the sound of steel tearing and grinding against another piece of steel. I felt an odd pain as I looked around to see nothing but darkness. I tried to remember where I was and what happened, but it was so foggy, and my head hurt so badly. I could feel my legs, and knew that was a good sign, but I couldn't find them, which frightened me. I reached up to grab a steel beam that was above me to get up when I heard something searing. I screamed, but it came out more like a sigh as I moved my hand fast. The movement of my hand made me cringe as I felt something crack. It was 4 of my ribs. Realizing I felt something oozing down my neck I reached back as well as I could to feel a huge gash above my ear. How long have I been here? I sniffled and all I smelled was the mix of burning paper and flesh. Feeling queasy I searched for a way to get out. I could feel down to waist when I felt something hard and small. I struggled to pull it out. I tried to smile, realizing I could call for help when I realized my cheekbone was broken as well. I turned the phone on, hearing the opening tune I heard it echo around the walls around me. Looking up I saw a maze of concrete 6 inches above. If that comes down I am dead. I looked at the time, and realized it was 10:01 AM on 9/12/01. That sent back memories of the woman, the new guy and the loud banging of floor on floor as the building caved in on itself. I winced at I trailed through the list of numbers until I got to my brothers cell phone number. I pressed call and heard it dialing, as well as the echo. I heard his pick up, he sounded terrible. When I tried to talk, it came out raspy and hoarse. As I talked I felt the burning in my chest, but I was too weak to figure out what was wrong with me. I finally got to speak enough for him to hear me. "Maurice...." Silence. "I need..help... please... hurry... " I could hear him crying my name but the phone slipped and hit the concrete slab to my left about 5 inches from my hand as I lost consciousness. The sound of rubble hitting rubble and the dust of some concrete hitting my head was the last memory I have.