The lights were dimmed in Taylor's room so that she could get a little sleep. Not that she needed it though. She tried to sleep though, at 1 AM there was nothing better to do. She moaned slightly and looked very uncomfortable.
There was a loud explosion heard. Suddenly people were screaming and trying to get out.
"What was that?" Jimmy asked as they ascended the stairs trying to get up to where the damage had been done.
People were rushing down the stairs by them, making it hard for them to get through.
"I don't know." DK said as he looked around
"Probably just something aboard the plane." Taylor replied
"How the hell do you crash a plane into the World Trade center anyway?" Lombardo asked
Lt. Johnson paused for a moment to listen to the radio transmissions.
"Guys, hold up. Chief's calling us back." Lt. Johnson said
With that the crew started their descent down the stairs. They could hear people screaming.
"The other tower's been hit!"
"What?" Jimmy asked
Then they heard the radio call.
"Marine 6 to Manhattan urgent."
"Marine 6 go."
"Be advised that you have a second plane into the other tower of the Trade Center. Heavy fire."
The firefighters looked at each other.
Taylor's father was in the Lobby of the South Tower. When the Squad reached them he looked at them for a moment.
"We need you to evacuate building 7." Chief Taylor said
"Consider it done." Lt. Johnson replied
Taylor didn't say a word to her father, nor he to her. They just looked at each other briefly before they turned to leave the building. It took what seemed like forever for them to get over to World Trade Center 7. They had to make their way through so many people and pieces of emergency equipment.
They finally reached building 7 and entered to help with the evacuation process. They helped get the kids out of the daycare and then went through to sweep the rest of the building. Then the rumble occurred.
"What the?" DK asked
People began to scream, the South Tower was collapsing.
"Run!" Lt. Johnson ordered
Taylor lingered for a moment, "Daddy." She thought before Walsh grabbed her coat sleeve.
"We've got to get out of here!" He yelled
Taylor's eyes opened wide. Her breathing was fast, she was pale, and sweating. The heart monitor started to beep.
"Okay Alex, take a deep breath." She told herself, "It was a nightmare. Only a nightmare."
The nurse came in to check on her.
"Are you okay?" She asked
"I… I had a nightmare." Taylor replied
"You're burning up." The nurse noted.
"I'll be fine." Taylor replied
The nurse took a cool cloth and gently blotted Taylor's forehead and face with it. Once Taylor regained control of her breathing her heart rate returned to normal. The nurse was satisfied and she left Taylor alone in the room.
Taylor was afraid to clothes her eyes again though.
At the firehouse most everyone was in their bunks sleeping, except Walsh. He lay in his bunk with his eyes wide open. He couldn't sleep. He got up and went downstairs to get a glass of milk.
Walsh wasn't the only one in the kitchen though.
"What are you still doing awake?" Kim asked
"I couldn't sleep." Walsh replied
"Neither could I." Kim said
"I know about Taylor." Walsh admitted
"It was so sad." Kim said, "She was scared to death and there's nothing that we could do to help."
Walsh sat down at the table.
"Hopefully it's just a temporary thing though." Walsh said
"Yeah hopefully." Kim replied
Both of them almost jumped out of their skin when the Claxton sounded.
"Squad 5-5, Adam 5-5-3 respond for a vehicle fire 8843 King Street"
"Well, that's us." Walsh said as he sat the glass of milk down on the table
"Yeah." Kim said as she started down the stairs
Taylor sat in her bed, fighting to stay awake. She tried to move her hand.
She stared hard at her left hand.
"Okay, we'll start small, move the fingers first." She said to herself.
She struggled and failed.
"I'm NOT giving up." She urged herself to try harder. After about a minute she managed to bend her fingers slightly.
Pleased with herself she smiled. She wanted to try to move her feet, but that was hopeless. She gave up after about 5 minutes and she faded back away to sleep.
As morning arrived Taylor woke up. Very rarely was she ever up before the sunrise, but this morning she watched out the window as the city was bleached with oranges and yellows. Taylor marveled in the beauty. She took some things for granted, and watching the sunrise was one of those things. She made it her goal to be thankful for the sunrises because as long as the sun rose, that meant she was alive for another day.
The nurse came into Taylor's room just after 8.
"Well Ms. Taylor, would you like some change of scenery?" The nurse asked
"I can't exactly walk you know." Taylor replied
"I know." The nurse answered, "The doctor wants to run some tests today."
"Oh yay. Getting poked and prodded in yet more places that I can't feel." Taylor said with sarcasm
"He wants to try some therapy as well." The nurse said
"Last time I checked, you actually have to be able to move to have therapy." Taylor said with a hint of resentment in her voice.
"And that's exactly the attitude that's not going to help you recover." The nurse said
"Recover?" Taylor asked, "I wouldn't call being stuck in a hospital bed, paralyzed for the rest of my life a recovery. It's more like a punishment."
The nurse just shrugged her shoulders, she didn't like the negative attitude that Taylor had adopted.
"I'll be back in in just a few moments." She said
"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." Taylor replied
Taylor stared out the window and contemplated how much more of this she could endure…