The Twin Towers | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: The Twin Towers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Chad Torgerson
09/01/06
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

The water was calm that day. The boat gently glided through the water as it took off from the dock. Thankfully, the weather was going to be nice that day, which made days on the patrol boat that much nicer.

This was an assignment that Officer Martinez could get used to. After eight years with the NYPD, he knew that he had finally gotten a break from chasing criminals through the street. For awhile, at least, he knew that his wife, Adrianna, would not have to worry if he was going to make it home from the night shift. As much as he enjoyed his job as a policemen, it always bothered him to see her worry.

Patrolling the Hudson River was a simple task. Other than a few commercial boats and personal yachts, the river did not see an abundance of traffic. It seemed that he was there more as a deterrent to crime, than an actual crime fighter. This was an assignment that does not come along everyday.

As Officer Martinez headed towards the southern Manhattan, he stopped to admire the beauty of the New York skyline. He was always amazed by the enormous size of the Twin Towers. And, somehow, despite their size, the twin towers were pleasing to the eye as well. They truly gave lower Manhattan its signature look. Just as his mind began to wander even more, he heard the loud chirp of his cell phone.

“Officer Martinez, can I help you?” He said sarcastically. He knew that it was his wife calling by the caller ID.

“So funny! What time are you coming home tonight?” Adrianna asked.

“Sorry, honey, not until late. Sergeant Matthews asked for volunteers to stay a little later tonight,” he answered.

“How could you? I told you that my mother was coming over and...” she screamed just as he hung up the phone on her. He didn’t want to hear it. He was enjoying a nice day, and now this. He felt better, for a moment, and then realized how guilty he felt. Quickly, he tried calling her back. No answer. He tried and tried, but kept getting her voicemail. He knew one thing for sure, she was upset.

Feeling guilty, Martinez did what any good Catholic would do, pray. So he began to say the prayer he had learned so many years ago as a child.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth, just as it is in heaven,” he begun, but was distracted. What was that? He could hear something getting louder and louder as it came closer, but what was it?

“Give us this day our daily bread,” he continued speaking louder as it drew closer. “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from-“
In an instant the sky was filled with smoke. He knew what happened, the World Trade Center had been hit! Without thinking twice, Martinez docked his boat and began running toward the Twin Towers. It seemed like he was running in slow motion, and just as he neared the buildings there was another explosion. The other tower had been hit.

Everywhere he looked, there was panic and confusion. People were stampeding over each other running as far away as they could. And there he stood, looking up at the two burning buildings, knowing how many people were trapped inside. He could only imagine the horror. What was he doing? He should be running away as well, not running toward. What about Adrianna? She was seven months pregnant, he had a child on the way. It was time for him to get out of there.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a firemen with the same scared look that he knew he had. At that moment, more firemen and policemen walked up, pausing to take in the scene. By the looks on their faces, Martinez knew that they all felt the same way. They all had loved ones to go home to. They all had way too much to live for. This was simply a lost cause.

Martinez bowed his head, made a cross with his finger across his chest, and looked over to the other men and women standing there. With a silent nod, and one last breath, Martinez, along with the other heroes, took off running through the tower doors.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.