story8738.xml

story8738.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-12-14

I had just started my second year at secondary school.I needed new shoes so decided to get them after school as the town centre was a short walk away.I walked into the shoe shop and started to browse through the products.I observed that the radio was on.The shop manager appeared slightly shaken.She spoke to a worker about how her son had phoned to tell her.I just assumed that something had happened within her family.I carried on looking at the shoes.As i picked up a pair, i heard the voice of George W.Bush on the radio.He was speaking of the terrible events that had happened and how the enemy will be hunted down.I felt a shiver travel down my spine.As i placed the shoe back on the shelf,a woman walked in the shop.She started to speak.She was American and said how she was told of an accident at the empire state building.The shop manager said that the events were shocking and picked up the phone.She told the woman of her son in New York.The American looked upset and then the manager broke down in tears.I bought the shoes, caught the bus home and asked my mum what happened.She said that there was some accident in America.I switched on the telly and was greeted with horrific images, images that i knew no one would forget for a long time.New York was under attack.I saw that the screen said 'live' so i knew that anything could happen.This was more than an accident, this was like World War 3.With that, i remembered that i had a paper round to do.I picked up the bag and walked down the street.I observed the sky.Not a single plane was seen.I finished the round and walked home, eager to watch the news.The images on the TV this time were different.No burning buildings.No people watching in horror.The buildings were gone.The people were going, running for their lives.Not only were the people going but so were the towers.Even though this was happening thousands of miles from me, i felt scared.I knew that these were events that would shape tomorrow.This was and is just the beginning.