story8390.xml

story8390.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-10-07

I was just entering the building and put my breakfast down. I was talking to my co-worker when we heard what sounded like construction. Our window shook and we saw debris falling down. We went to the window and saw the North Tower on fire. I went to my cubicle and attempted to reach my mom. She had spent the night at my house so she did not get to her house yet. Her boyfriend answered. I was hysterical and told him of the incident. I continue to observe the North Tower and couldn't believe that people were jumping out the window. So many people, one after another, were jumping.

I went back to my cubicle and tried again. This time my mother answered and I assured her it was not my building on fire. For some reason, I had not made an exit like some of my co-workers had when they heard the first sound. As I was looking at the North Tower, I shifted my eyes to the South tower and that was when I saw the big, giant fire ball. I did not see the airplane entering. I initially thought it was a bomb since in 1993, there was an attempt.

I ran across the room hollering,"the second building blew up," and my co-worker grabbed me and held me in an embrace. We all decided it was time to evacuate. We went down the stairs and the lobby was crowded. I was very scared. I thought I was never going to leave. Finally, we made it out toward the Bank of NY and we were all out there, crying and consoling one another. Then, we heard a rumple and our manager told us to go home. I exchanged numbers with my co-worker and proceeded to walk. Not far did we walk that the Second Tower collapes. Luckily, we did not get any debris on us. I walked all the way to 34 street and proceeded to walk. I was dazed and confused. I happened to see another co-worker and we walked together. I told her that I did not know how to get to the bronx where I live and she invited me to spend the night at her home in Queens. We walked all the way to the bridge and we found ourselves in Queens. We rode the bus to her home and I called my mother and she called my sister. My sister cried and thanked my co-worker over and over for her good deed.

I stood home for almost a month after the incident. I work for a bank and I was not called in to work till the middle of October.

I still have bad dreams till the very day. I cannot look out of a window for fear I might see a dead body that is only a figment of my imagination. I pray for those who did not make it out alive and for those who did.


It's strange. My mother was ill and was in need of companionship. I had mentioned to my friends how nice it would be to stay home for a month. Never in my wildest dreams did I mean for something like this to occur.

God bless America. America the beautiful!