My alarm clock rung through my head as I stood up and walked down the dark creepy hallway. I swung my brother Sam’s door open and yelled, “get up were going to be late!” Finally, he jumped out of bed and through clothes on while I ran to the bathroom to get ready. Sam and I both sprinted down the stairs to meet my mom, Tiffany waiting for us at the door. Apparently, she was already late for work and in a really bad mood. Technically, we are supposed to leave at 6:30 am for school but we got in the car at 6:15.

Today, I had this really weird feeling as we drove into New York City. I already felt nervous because I had a big test today. As we pulled up to my school I could tell by the look on my moms face something was wrong. Sam and I both got out and yelled: “Bye mom love you!” But she had already driven away.

Sam and I walked into the school and said goodbye as we both left to get to class. The first period went by so slow I could barely keep myself from leaning my head onto the desk to fall asleep. When the second period finally rolled around a weird noise came on over the speaker. It said, “Students and teachers please stay inside. We are on a perimeter lockdown.” Suddenly, everyone starts screaming and crying. The room filled with cries for help, screaming, and tears.

The teachers tried to calm students down but they couldn’t. There was no way to get kids to listen. Then, the TV’s in the classroom flashed on and showed live videos and pictures of the Twin Towers Falling. My eyes filled with tears. Unexplainable thoughts painted a picture in my mind. Then, it hit me. My mom. She works in the Second Tower, on the 34th floor. 5 minutes passed and already half of my fingernails were bitten off.

Finally, the intercom came on with the principle saying, “everyone stay in your classes we are going to stay at the school. Wait for further instructions”. Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t just sit here waiting for someone to come and tell me that my mom didn’t make it. “I have to do something”. I sang in my head. So, I went up to the teachers table. I said, “can i please go to the bathroom it’s an emergency!” The teacher glared. “Sure, but be back in less than five minutes”. I sprinted out of the room and down the hall to the exit. The red exit sign looked at me like it was trying to say something to me. But I ignored. I busted open the doors and ran out of the school down the block.

Smoke and debris filled my lungs as as I coughed and choked. I saw the towers. Burning with flames. They were going to fall. I ran faster and faster. I was a block away when I saw the second tower starting to fall. No. I screamed. This can’t be happening. I ran harder. Once I got close enough I saw people jumping out of the building trying to stay alive. Then, someone grabbed my arms like I was being handcuffed. I screamed for them to stop. I needed help. Someone needed to help my mom. They pulled me behind a building where there wasn’t much smoke It was a woman, with a kind and gentle face. She looked trustworthy. “What are you doing out here?” she asked. “Your going to get killed”. “My mom. She’s in the tower I need to save her”. I stuttered. “I can’t let you go back out there it’s too dangerous”. “Someone will find your mom I promise”. I frowned.

Then, “BANG!” ‘BASH!” “CLANG!” Debris fell everywhere more screams and cries rang through my ears. “We need to go”. The woman said. “No”. I replied. “Let’s go!” She screamed as she once again grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the alley. She threw off her heels and ran. She was still holding onto my arm. 3 blocks later smoke still filled the air. It got thicker every minute. There was a apartment building up ahead. There was a bug group of people standing outside of it. We ran over there. A guy from the group said, “What are you doing here Miss Katherine?” “I live in this building and I want in”, the woman replied. The man gave a angry grin and let us pass. We sprinted up there stairs trying not to fall. -Apartment 7A-. That sounded so familiar but I don’t know why. The woman or Miss Katherine scrolled through her purse trying to find her keys. She finally found her keys and took them out. Her hand was shaking uncontrollably. About a minute later she finally got the key in the lock and opened the door.

“This is my apartment. If you need anything let me know we will only be here for about 10 minutes. Go to the bathroom which is down the hall to the right and get something to eat it’s going to be a long day”. “Okay thank you”.I said trying to be really polite. I got out the the bathroom and I saw Miss Katherine sitting on the floor with a picture in her hands. She was crying. “Are you okay?” I asked. “Oh I’m sorry of course I’m okay. Do you need anything else?” “No” I replied. “Okay good let’s head out we need to get out of the city. “Wait!” I screamed. “My brother Sam”. “What about him?” “I left him at the school. I didn’t think at the time we need to go back for him”. I said starting to tear up. “Okay we’ll go find your brother”. “Thank you”. I said. “Your very welcome. What’s your name dear?” She said. “My names Chloe”.

“Nice to meet you Chloe, I’m Katherine”. I smiled. “Okay so we need to hurry if we are going to find your brother”. “Yes let’s go” We ran down the stairs once more. But this time, she turned a different way. I followed of course.She open this door that led to a garage with a very nice looking car in it. “Let’s go!” She said. We both hopped into the car and she started to drive away. The smoke was so thick it was almost impossible to see through. 5 minutes later we got to the school. I practically jumped out of the car. So did Katherine. We both screamed for my brother. “Sam!’ “Sam!”

Finally, Sams head popped out from around the dark hallway corner. “Sam!” I screamed. I ran over to him as fast as I could. I gave him the biggest hug. “Sam, we need to go”. I said. “What? Why? Where’s mom?” he questioned. “I’ll tell you later come with us”. “Okay.” He said suspiciously. We went back outside to see that smoke is getting worse and worse we could hardly breathe. Once we got in the car Katherine said, “OKay. Were leaving the city I’ll keep you guys safe until this is over.” “No. My mom is till out there I need her”. Sam said practically crying. “Sam, I know you don’t know me but you need to trust me. We can’t go back there. I’ll help you find your mom once this is over”. Katherine said. Sam frowned. “Okay let’s go”. So we left. There was traffic everywhere. Horns blaring like only what you hear in the movies. There were accidents everywhere. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the city disappear. A few hours later we finally reached a point where there was no smoke. “Can I call my mom?” Sam asked. I could tell he was really worried and anxious.

“Sure” Katherine replied handing Sam her phone. He pressed the number keys with caution and pressed call. It rang and rang until he heard he voice mail. He called again. And again. And again

After numerous calls, Sam looked up with me. Tears filled his eyes. “Don’t worry”, I said. “She’ll be fine”. An hour later Katherine walked over to us with pizza in her hands. “Would you like something to eat?” She asked. “No thanks”, Sam and I replied. She walked away. It was about 6pm when she came back to check on us. She said, “would you guys want to go back to the city? Maybe try to find your mom?” Sam and I’s eyes glowed. “Omg for real!” We screeched. “Yes let’s go”. We all ran to the car and drove for an hour. The city was depressing. Once we got to the city, we had to park like 5 blocks away. Debris was everywhere. There were people everywhere. As we walked along the burnt sidewalk we saw a group of women standing in front of us. “Have you guys seen or heard of a Tiffany Edwards?” I asked.

“Um sorry no I have not”. One of them said. “Nope sorry” Another one said. And the rest nodded. “Okay thank you!” I said concerned. We kept walking. 3 blocks later, we could finally we what was left of the towers. There were firemen and police everywhere. They were still pulling people out of the rubble. Then we heard a voice. “Chloe?” “Sam?” the voice called. It sounded like a woman so we turned frantically looking in every direction. “Hello?” “Mom?” Sam screamed.

There was no response. “Mom?” “Tiffany!” I yelled. Still no response. So, we looked at Katherine. “What do we do?” I said. “We’ll go over to a police man they will help”. She said. “Okay let’s go” Sam said confidently. “Hello Sir, I was wondering if you have found our mom?” I said. “Well, you will have to be more specific”. He commented. “Her name is, Tiffany Edwards”. He turned and looked at the other officers. His eyes turned red and big. “She was here earlier, looking for her kids”. He stuttered. “But, I don’t know where she went.” “Wait so she is alive?” I said hopefully. “Yes”. “Please can you help us find her”. Sam begged. The officer looked down at his shoes. “I will send a message out of other officers to be on the look”. He said. “I’ll be in touch”. He walked away. “Okay guys don’t lose hope he said shes alive”. Katherine said to try to comfort us. I smiled. “Chloe!” “Sam!” I heard that scream and knew it was my mom. I looked around frantically.

“Mom! Where are you?” In that moment I saw a short, skinny, blonde woman running towards me. “Mom!” I screeched and ran towards her. I jumped into her arms and hugged her. I never wanted to let go. Sam, finally noticed I have found mom and ran too. He hugged both of us. Then, we all let go and looked at each other in disbelief. The noise of footsteps came closer and closer. It was Katherine! “Katherine what are you doing here?” Mom said. I looked at her in confusion. “Wait you know each other?” I asked. “Yes, I know you mom from work” Katherine said. “And your mom saved my life”.