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Dropping whatever we were working on . Then we started running .
Miles felt like hours , But I finally made it home — Or what I thought was home . I couldn ’ t even pick out my house . All the rubble looked the same : Rocks , wood , concrete , all blending . Tears pricked my eyes . Salty water flowed into my mouth . Smoke filled my nostrils , Along with a foul smell I ’ d never smelt before . Kids fell to their knees near me , Some staring in horror , others sobbing . All I could think Was Mom had stayed home today .
The worst part was not knowing — The mystery of what happened still haunts me . They found some remains , But not my mother ’ s . I got a small rock And engraved my mother ’ s name . After , I placed it next to my brother ’ s grave . I visited them often until help arrived .
The war ended three years ago . I was thirteen then . All I can say is I survived .