The boy of history

A Story by Adelita

a fictional story about a boy and his life after 911.

The boy of history

The day of history was today. No one expected there to be a attack on the US today, no

one expected that their plane would be hijacked by terrorist. Adults screaming, kids running to find their parents. Random civilians going back into the tower that is full of fire to save people. People slowly getting eaten by the flames. One little boy full of ash comes running out of the tower, screaming for his parents and his older sister , people run towards the boy trying to help him, none of them his family. A single tear falls from the boy's face before he realized that he was crying. “Little boy my name is Steve I am a paramedic, I need you to tell me your age and your name.” Steve said. “M-my name is T-tom and I am 8 years old.” he said through his tears stuttering because he is still in shock, scrunching his nose at the smell of the smoke coming from the towers people call twins. As everyone was rushing around him all he could do was look at the towers , he looked at every inch of the tower every detail. Let it be the bright red-orange flame on the rooftop or the window on the third floor where people were jumping out. He watched the first tower collapse, how fast it went , he watched as people were being enveloped by the building as it came down. That tower was the tower his parents were in, his only family gone. At the moment it happened he couldn’t believe that everything he ever loved was gone, he just stared at the tower in shock. Not even ten minutes later the second tower came crashing down to join its twin. Everywhere Tom went he saw people crying hugging the family they have left, calling relatives to let them know that they are okay, people screaming the names of people they love that are missing, policemen and firefighters trying to calm either the flame down or the citizens. Tom feeling all of a sudden numb in his legs falls to the floor, he curls up into a ball and screams , he sobs as he feels someone lift him up. “Son , do you have any family that we can take you to?” the stranger asked. Tom lost for words was only able to shake his head no. “Listen, i’m going to have to take you to a foster home until we are sure we can’t find any of your relatives.” said the man. “Sir i'm going to be there for a while because i know for a fact that have no family left, they were all in that first tower.” Tom said in a low whisper barely audible. The man just nodded his head . This young boy age 8 saw everything ever loved in life turn into history that day.

August 17.2005

Foster home to foster home, he never stayed in one for more than a month, no matter where he went where he was he was always covered in bruises always in pain. He never slept a peaceful rest , always waking up in sweat , screaming for his parents to come and save him from this horrible place. No sympathy was shown from his foster parents , no hugs from them, just beatings , every time he would scream another slash across the back. They always found a reason to hit Tom, let it be he cooked the bacon to much or he talked without permission. No matter how hard Tom tried to be perfect it just was never enough. Tom felt alone as if no one cared for him, tom wanted to leave , he wanted to feel the peace he felt when he was with his parents once more. He wanted to feel what it is like to be part of a family again, a family that loves you and that would do anything to help you. Tom was now 12 years old, sad and alone as ever, at this very moment he hides under his bed from his foster dad, not prepared for the beating he was about to receive. Tom had talked out of turn and gave his opinion on something, his foster dad Jerry was not happy about that at all. Before Jerry could reach Tom, little Tom ran for his life, even though he knew this would only make his foster dad even more mad he knew his body had not fully recovered from his last beating. Tom could hear Jerry stomping all over the house looking for him, as tom was shaking under the bed he thought he heard a car door close from outside. “TOM GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT” Jerry yelled from downstairs. Tom not wanting to move didn't reply. “IDIOT BOY COME DOWNSTAIRS ALREADY SOME IS HERE TO SEE YOU !!!!” Jerry yelled . “ Yes sir” tom said from upstairs. Tom slowly gets out of his hiding spot and walks down the stairs as slow as he can. As Tom turns the corner he see’s his friend from a old foster home who got adopted. “ Sally?” Tom questions. Without responding Sally just goes up to Tom and gives him a big hug. “On the count of three you need to run out the door and get in the car, my dad already got your stuff from the shed, we are here to save you Tom.” Sally whispers into his ear. All Tom could do was give a small nod. “1” Sally said. “What are you two talking about?” Jerry asked. “2” sally said. “ Alright that’s enough get away from him now.” Jerry said walking up to them. Sally turns around stomps on Jerry’s foot and yells “3”. Both Tom and Sally ran as if their lives depended on it towards the car Jerry right behind them cursing because his foot hurt. They jump into Sally’s car and wave goodbye to Jerry as they drive away with Sally’s dad James. “ By the way Tom we already signed the adoption papers we just need you to sign. “ Sally said. “What she meant to say was would you like to be apart of our family Tom?” James asked

with a grin on his face. “Yes, I would love to.” Tom said tearing up. With that Tom laid his head on Sally’s shoulder , ready to have his first peaceful rest since the attack . As Tom drifted of into the realm of sleep Sally sat there so excited that she has a little brother.

December 13, 2009 It had been 4 years since Tom was adopted by Sally’s family, he had been researching his family and found out that his sister was still alive. Deep inside he felt happy that his sister was still alive, but on the surface he was angry with her. Why had she just left him on his own? Why didn't she go looking for him? Did she not love him? Did she not think to look for him all of these years ? It doesn't matter now , Tom wanted nothing to do with his older sister. At this very moment Tom was lying on his bed, listening to music and drawing in his sketchbook. All of a sudden Tom heard a knock on his door. “Come in” he says not wanting to get up. Its was Sally, “ Tom there is someone at the door for you” she said. Tom never got visitors so he was clueless on who it could be. “Why would anyone want to visit me” Tom thought. As he makes his way downstairs he hears a familiar voice talking to James. “I haven’t seen him since the attack. I don't know what he is going to say .” said the female voice who sounded worried. As Tom walked into the living room he saw the one face he never wanted to see. “Emily?” Tom asked his voice cracking as he said it. Emily look up from her conversation with James and looks at her 17 year old brother with tears in her eyes. She gets up to go hug him but notices he doesn't look happy to see her. “ What’s wrong son?” James asked Tom. Before anyone could do anything Tom runs away. “TOM WAIT!!!!” Emily yelled running after him. As one sibling runs and the other chases Sally and James start looking for a way to help. One second Tom was running away from Emily the next he was sitting in a room with her. Tom could literally feel the tension and awkwardness in the room. “Why did you run?” Emily asks breaking the silence. “ Why did you never come back for me?” Tom shoots back. “What?” Emily asks confused about what tom is referring to. “You heard me, why did you never come back?” Tom repeats himself . “ Do you really think I would just abandon you?” Emily asked hurt in her voice. “What do you call not being here all of these years Emily?” Tom said anger in his voice. “Tom, I barely found out you were still alive 3 months ago. I thought you died in that fire Tom. I thought I lost everyone I have ever loved in the attack Tom. When I found out you were still alive I did all I could do to find out where you were. I've been trying to find you ever since.” Emily said with tears in her eyes. Tom feeling guilty for lashing out on his sister gets up and hugs her. Brother and sister finally reunited lay there hugging one another , trying to make everything they missed out on be out into that hug. “Come home with me Tom.” Emily whispered. “ I can’t . This is my home now Emily.” Tom said. All Emily could do was nod, after a few hours Emily decides it is time for her to leave.

June 10, 2010

Today Tom is finally turning 18 years old, today Tom turns into a adult. To him it is just any ordinary day, his birthday isn't really important to him. He prefers not to celebrate it no matter what anyone says. As Tom wakes up and goes down stairs he is surprised with a face full of balloons and cake. His family of course was not going to let him skip his birthday. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM” screamed his family once he arrived downstairs. “ You guys, you know I don’t like to celebrate my birthday.” Tom said trying to act annoyed even though the grin on his face said otherwise. He looked around the decorated room ,smiling as he saw “Happy birthday” in letters across the wall. His smile slowly faded when he saw the pile of presents in the corner of the room. He turned around and said “ You guys that a lot of presents.”. “That’s not even the best part.” Sally says as James practically drags in a big wrapped box. “ Go ahead, open it.” James says out of breath. Tom barely lifts up the lid when his sister jumps out of the box nearly giving tom a heart attack. “ EMILY!!” Tom screamed a very unmanly screamed. “ Whats up little bro.” Emily said grinning like a madman. “ Don’t ever do that again. I almost punched you in the face.” Tom said still flustered. After he helps her out of the box and they hug Tom and his family go into the living room. “ So Tom what do you want to do for your 18 birthday? You’re officially a adult now.” Emily says raising her eyebrows in a teasing manner. “ I want to do absolutely nothing .” Tom says crossing his arms behind his back. “C’mon don’t be a buzzkill Tom. Let’s do something fun for your 18 birthday .” Sally says looking at him with boredom in her eyes. “ Fine you guys choose and I will do whatever you guys want.” Tom said. “ I have a idea.” James said. “ What?!?” all three of them said at the same time. “ Why don’t we go to New York?” James responded. All three of their faces dropped. “Why would I want to go there?” Tom said in a disgusted tone. “ Well your parents were buried there so I was thinking we could visit them.” James said. “I don’t know if i'm ready.” Tom said starting to shake. James used to these panic attacks by now walks up to him and says “ Hey, son you know we don’t have to if you don't want to.” “I want to go. But not in a plane, I can handle New York but i can't handle a plane .” Tom says. Sally inwardly groans not wanting to be in a car for so long, Emily see that she does not want to be in the car for that long. “ I have a idea, why don’t Tom and I go by car and Sally and James go by plane.” Emily suggested. “ I’m cool with that.” Tom said. “ Son are you sure?” James asks. “Yeah i'm sure dad.” Tom said. James smiles when Tom says dad because he rarely calls him that.

“Well then it’s we’re going to New York.” James said as the rest cheered.

June 20,2010

Tom and Emily were finally on their way to New York, both in the car having a nice conversation. They got to carried away, they were laughing too much that they didn't see that the car in front of them had stopped. They noticed to late , Emily didn't mean to get distracted. It happened too fast, the hit of the 2 cars, their car flipping in the air with Tom and Emily screaming on the top of their lungs. From being in the hospital , to lying in a coma. To become reunited with his parents. Tom would say it happened to fast, he used to wish for this to happen but now he had a family in the living realm. In some way he actually feels relieved that he has someone who will remember him, someone who he called his family , who he loved. Tom takes his final moments with a smile on his face, thinking that dreams really do come true. The boy who lost everything at age 8, who was abused at age 12, who found his unwanted sister at age 17, who found a family at age 18 now finds his happiness and joins his parents. His spirit lingers in his room as the heart monitor goes flat, as his sister cries on his body, as doctors pry her off him as James is hugging Sally to keep her from running towards him. He looks and smiles and walks with his parents to the land of the dead knowing that he is remembered.