9/11 Short Stories

A gust of wind pushed up against treeline, sending twigs, leaves, and branches flying. The rain was coming down in sheets, making it nearly impossible to see. Three men took shelter behind whatever they could from the element: rocks, trees, and sometimes each other to avoid debris and rain. The three aimlessly walked, trying to find anything that could lead them back to their path. Everyone pointed fingers and blamed the other two, criticizing everyone and everything but themselves. Max was especially accusational.

“ Kevin was the one in charge of the map,” Max accusatively said, “and you Rob, were in front.” Max also put in, “If you let me bring my cell phone, I could get us out, and this wind isn’t helping either.” Max frustratingly walked

If we ever want to get out of here, we’re going get out together. Before Max could storm off, Rob stopped him, saying, “Max, listen I know this trip has brought out the worst in each other, but we really need to stick and together to get out of here, but first we need Kevin.” Max replied, “It seemed like it was not bad, but whatever you say.”

The two took a quick look around the perimeter of the site looking for Kevin, and eventually broadened their search. Although Both screamed “Kevin!”, they came up with nothing. After a everlasting, Rob heard a faint “over here” and rushed to Kevin’s aid. He seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness, and was sitting propped up against a tree, mumbling on how we hadn’t searched a spot. When Rob and Kevin slowly returned, they found a relieved Max. Right before Kevin could finish chugging down his water, he passed out in his tent. When Kevin finally woke up the next day, he was shown a makeshift map of the area, and he vaguely remembered his trek from the previous day and showed them the one spot that went unsearched.

Once Kevin was hydrated enough to walk, they all packed up their supplies for good and walked down the dirt road into the bright, crisp autumn afternoon, glad they will soon see their