the journal of literature and the arts at saint david ’ s school
the 44th floor . Tapping of feet , squeaking of the elevator , rushing , breathing , and talking from the different floors . The door opened . Suddenly , everything went silent .
BOOM ! It sounded like a bomb had gone off . All of the eagerness turned into nervousness . The elevator started falling . Jack , Devin , and Jack ’ s dad were screaming while holding tightly onto the rails . It was falling faster than anyone could even react to what was happening . And in a second , they hit the ground . Everyone on the elevator was in a blacked-out blur .
At the same time , Devin and Jack slowly opened their eyes to bright flashes and heavy sirens . Jack lifted his head , and Devin followed . Jack thought , What happened ? Where are we ? Jack carefully sat up and realized that he was in the hospital . Devin also sat up . Simultaneously , they both cocked their heads at each other . Devin looked confused . Then Devin looked at the clock . It was almost a whole day later . Two doctors walked in , and one said , “ Thank God you two are awake . Do you know what happened ?”
Jack and Devin shook their heads side to side , too weak to speak . One of the doctors said , “ A plane hit the North Tower and knocked it down , so it made your elevator go into a freefall .” Jack and Devin were shocked . Jack asked , “ Where is my dad ?” No response . Jack ’ s heart sank . His mom sat beside him and said ,
“ Everything will be okay .”
They all got up and left the hospital . They got into the car , and no one said a word . As the silence continued , Jack gathered himself and looked out the window . While he knew his life had permanently changed , he felt a sense of calm as he thought back to many of the positive memories he had of his father . He then recalled his father ’ s constant reminders of the importance of living every day to its fullest and as if it were your last . It would be these memories that would have to sustain him in the dark days ahead .
~ Soren K .
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