Four White Letters | Teen Ink

Four White Letters

July 11, 2011
By Zinaidia SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
Zinaidia SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
8 articles 3 photos 78 comments

Favorite Quote:
\\\"Whatever you are, be a good one.\\\"


As my hand gripped tightly on a rolling backpack handle, I could tell something was up. At the time, I didn't understand the magnitude, or the consequences of what I saw, but I knew it was bad. The silence in my living room was eerie, and I looked up to see my sister and my mom staring at the television.

I nudged my mom, and asked quietly, "Where is that?"

My mom broke her eyes away from the television and quickly glanced down at me, informing me that it was New York City.

"Emily, get the phone," my mother instructed with worry dripping from her voice.

Emily put down her brown Jansport backpack and got the house phone, handing it to my mother. I looked over at Emily, her face was pinched and I could tell she was about to cry. The television news anchor came back on and said that a second plane had just hit. What it was hitting or why, I didn't know. But I saw the fire and the smoke, and the tiny little specks that I later found out were people, jumping, falling, dying. My sister started shaking ever so slightly, and she sat down on the couch.

"What's wrong?" I asked innocently. They both ignored my question, Emily with her face in her hands and mom looking for a number that was written on a piece of paper. I looked back at the television, the news anchor had gone away and they were showing a group of firemen who were standing in front of their firetruck.The white N.Y.F.D. letters starkly stood out against the red fire truck, which was now being covered in ash. Looking at those four letters, it finally registered to me.

I went over to my mom, who was starting to dial a number. I anxiously asked her,"Momma, doesn't dad work there?"


The author's comments:
This is based on a few true events regarding the 9/11 attacks. I hope that readers know that there are people out there who went through losing a loved one in the attacks. They aren't alone.

Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 3 comments.


Ranea GOLD said...
on Jan. 7 2012 at 9:04 pm
Ranea GOLD, Elkhart, Indiana
18 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;It can always be worse, so put on a happy face and laugh!&quot; (my own quote) &amp;<br /> &quot;Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may scar my soul.&quot;

as a 6 year old i freaked out when my ma explained what happened i couldnt understand why someone wanted to hurt so many families. i think you did a great job in describing what so many people had to go through because of this incident

Catch SILVER said...
on Jan. 6 2012 at 4:38 pm
Catch SILVER, Willow Springs, Missouri
9 articles 10 photos 31 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never ever give up! Don&#039;t listen to what people say they will just try to shove you in the dirt. Listen to your heart.

This was really touching. Wow I was like 4 when 9/11 happened. You really captured the scare of america and the words you put in the story is really realistic and I can picture it in my head

on Jul. 24 2011 at 2:35 pm
CarrieAnn13 GOLD, Goodsoil, Other
12 articles 10 photos 1646 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.&quot; --Douglas Adams<br /> <br /> &quot;The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.&quot; --Marcus Aurelius

This is beautiful!  It's short and simple with no grammar or spelling mistakes.  Your story really shows how 9/11 took the general population by surprise.  Excellent work!