Author's Note: Well, here it is! The final chapter is now up, and it's time to find out what happens. Enjoy! –Xegrot
A feeling of despair washed over Mr. Blik as he slowly approached the body of his brother, Gordon. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, but he figured it was to be expected. Tears rolled down his face as he and Waffle came ever nearer. Blik fell to his knees beside his fallen brother. His fur, once pearly white, was now dusty and covered with blood and grime. Blik, searching for Gordon's hand through his tears, reached over and finally grabbed hold. It was icy cold.
"Why…" he asked, gripping Gordon's hand ever tighter, "…why did this have to happen to you? Why?" Mr. Blik pulled Gordon onto his back. His face was peaceful, even if it was stained with blood. A few of his razor-sharp teeth were slightly chipped. His left arm was bent in an odd position. Waffle sat behind Blik, facing in the opposite direction. He didn't want to see his brother this way. A small puddle of tears rippled at his feet. Lifting his head slightly, Blik held Gordon closely. "Hey! Back away, please!" A voice called from the rubble; a firefighter was coming. He was going to take Gordon's body.
"Please… no. Don't take my brother!" Blik sobbed, trying to drag Gordon away. He slipped from his grasp, landing on the dirt, causing dust to rise upward. "Don't take him! NO!" Blik took a fighting stance. He wasn't going to let his brother be taken. The firefighter was slightly bewildered. "Young cat, please don't fight. He's dead, ok? I've got to take him."
Waffle looked up at the firefighter. He made his expression as sad and as innocent as possible. The firefighter barely noticed him sitting there next to him. He kept walking up to Blik and Gordon's body, but Blik kept hissing and slashing his claws at the man. The firefighter was fed up. He turned and roundhouse kicked Blik in the gut, sending him toppling into a nearby pile of debris. He did not move. "I had told you to get out of the way, but did you listen? NO!" Blik still did not move. The man then lifted Gordon off the ground and began to walk away with him. Waffle got up instantly.
"You can't steal my brother, brother-stealer!" shouted Waffle, gritting his teeth. He had gone from an innocent, fun-loving cat, into a powerhouse of rage and hatred. He pounced, landing on the firefighter's face. Gordon fell from the man's grasp, landing on the ground below. Waffle knocked the man out of the wreckage and returned to his brother's side. Blik finally got free, holding his stomach and crying. As he came nearer, Waffle began to cry too. Tears dropped from Blik's eyes onto Gordon's face. One tear landed on his eye. It twitched.
Noticing this, Waffle violently shook Gordon back and forth shouting, "Wake up! Wake up!" Blik kicked him in the groin, urging him to stop. "Don't do that to him, you stupid pudding-filled sock puppet! He's been through enough pain as is!" Waffle held his privy spot, trying to squelch out the pain. "But… he… moved!" Blik blinked, thinking he maybe kicked Waffle too hard. He took Gordon's hand in his. It was no longer icy, but cool. A finger twitched beneath his palm. Blik started to cry loudly and smile at the same time. Waiting for it, Waffle and Blik stood together, watching Gordon. Sure enough, slowly but surely, Gordon cracked his eyelids open.
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Gordon could barley see. Almost everything was dark and blurry. W-Where am I… he thought. All that returned to his memories was that the Twin Towers were burning; the result of two massive planes striking them like missiles. As his sight cleared, two figures began to form in front of him. One had long, pointy ears protruding from his skull. The other had long ears, too, except that they hung down. Weakly, he whispered, "Mr. Blik? Waffle?" The two figures leaped into the air, laughing and dancing and crying all at once. He soon realized… he was alive.
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After the small celebration, Mr. Blik knelt down beside Gordon, who was now attempting to sit up. He had a burning lump in his throat; he was so happy to see his brother alive. Waffle leaped over and squeezed Gordon in a humongous bear hug. Gordon yelped in extreme pain. "Sorry…" said Waffle. "Aye…" said Gordon shakily, "…that's alright, lad." He coughed, sputtering out dirt and dust. He could not believe that he was alive. After all, he did leap from the top floor of a building that once rose half a mile into the sky. Gordon tried to move, but he fell back, supporting himself with his only working arm.
About a dozen firemen came from nowhere, crowding around Gordon and loading him onto a stretcher. Cameramen buzzed around the area, filming Gordon's every word. He weakly told his story of how he had jumped from the top floor of the World Trade Center and lived. Mr. Blik and Waffle followed, marching alongside their brother's stretcher. Mr. Blik held out his hand. Gordon took it, and they held onto each other for a long time. When they finally reached the ambulance, the reporters and cameramen all waved goodbye, then walked away, heading off to find another story to cover. Waffle and Blik sat on each side of Gordon as the vehicle rumbled toward the hospital. Each of them knew that today had been a day of tragedy and terror. They knew that evil had struck America, trying to weaken it. The only thing each cat was happy of was that they still had each other. This attack did not weaken their love for each other; only strengthened it.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Gordon went into critical surgery. Mr. Blik and Waffle were informed that their brother obviously had a broken arm and both legs were broken. He also had internal bleeding. The surgery lasted for eight hours, and the surgeons finally walked away from the room. Each had a satisfied expression. That was defiantly a good sign. The last surgeon finally emerged and walked straight over to Blik and Waffle. "He's making his recovery," the man said, removing his surgical cap, revealing his bald skull. "My name is Jeffery. I met your brother out by the North Tower. He told me all about you two. Go on in and see him if you like." The two cats had already walked into the room.
Gordon was fast asleep. His brothers knew he needed it. Surgery took time and the patient had to always keep up a fight. It was tiring. Mr. Blik and Waffle climbed into chairs beside Gordon's bed and stayed there for the rest of the night.
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When Mr. Blik awoke, he found Waffle's head resting in his lap, the rest of his body in a fettle position on the chair. Slowly, he laid Waffle's head down onto the chair cushion. He smiled at his new comfortable spot. Glancing over at Gordon, he grinned. He was already awake, watching a small television screen. On it was him being carried away in a stretcher, talking to reporters. The headline read, "Ultimate Survival: The Cat Who Jumped and Lived." He finally noticed Blik standing there, smiling at him. "Good morning," he said, smiling back. "Well, maybe not so good. Take a look outside." Blik turned to see what was left of the Twin Towers. The wreckage was still smoldering.
Blik frowned, then turned back to Gordon. "Ya know, Gordo… I feel so lucky. I never could have asked for a better miracle." A tear rolled down the side of his face. "And I never could have asked for a better brother." He walked up to Gordon and the two cats hugged one another tightly. Waffle suddenly awoke, noticing the his brothers. He had only seen this once before. He decided to join in. He wrapped his arms around his brothers. They were together again, and nothing could have spoiled that moment. Nothing at all.
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Gear rolled along the highway back to Philadelphia. Waffle was finally driving, and Mr. Blik and Gordon could tell he was satisfied. Blik let the cool breeze whip his ears back and forth. Gordon hung his unbroken arm off the side of the truck. Each of them had a stronger bond with one another. This tragedy had changed them forever. Their mansion came into view, and Waffle sped up, aiming for the driveway. They parked perfectly, and each of them hopped out. Blik handed Gordon his crutch, specifically built by Jeffery for him. He limped his way to the door where Blik and Waffle waited. "Be my guest," said Blik, waving his had at the doorbell. Gordon reached up and pushed it once. The door flew open.
Hovis scooped them up one by one, asking them if they were alright. He marveled at Gordon's bandages, inquiring what happened. Gordon pulled a tape from his new backpack, and together, the four of them watched the clip of Gordon being taken away in the stretcher, telling his amazing story of surviving the fall from the North Tower. Gordon suddenly remember something very important. Kimberly! He quickly limped out of the house and across the lawn to Kimberly's house. He did his traditional five way knock. The door opened a crack, and a small eyeball peeked through. The door opened more, and Kimberly stood there, mouth gaping. Gordon smiled.
Kimberly's face lit up with tears of joy. "Gordon…" she whispered. The two got closer to each other. Together they stood there, waiting for the other to speak. Neither of them did. Gordon took her hand and began to speak. "Dear Human Kimberly… I know this is shocking and all… but I am alright, lass. And I…" Kimberly shushed him and led him to a leaning blossom tree. They sat upon its branch, holding one another's hand. Small pink flowers drifted peacefully by. Kimberly seemed more beautiful than ever. "Kimberly," Gordon whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too, Gordon," she replied. They sat there and watched as the golden evening sun set on the horizon. Neither of them would ever forget the day when the world stopped turning. Never.
Author's Note: Well, there you go! I'm so glad many of you have enjoyed my story! This story is now complete. This story has been a tribute to the brave souls who gave their lives on September 11th to help others. Remember, never forget what happened that day. Be on the lookout for more of my stories. See you! -Xegrot