By Hannah Kazanowski

When I was a little girl, only sixteen years old a horrible disaster happened. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was sitting in my room watching the notebook, when there was a huge rumble and explosion. I quickly leaped up out of my homey bed, and looked out my window. I saw buildings collapsing before my eyes, I was in total shock. I quickly raced to get my mother. We both had no idea what to do. She quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me downstairs, where we huddled in under a desk. She told me to cover my face, and not to come out until the shaking and the air looks cleaner. She had to hurry to find my other siblings.

A couple of minutes after she left, I passed out because all the fumes in the air it was too unbearable to breathe. When I woke up I stayed for just a bit longer to see if anyone would come looking for me. I finally decided it was the right time to come out of hiding. My legs could finally stretch. I did a bit of exploring, our neighborhood was completely destroyed. I could not find anyone; it was like everyone had vanished.

I decided to collect as many items as I could carry with me, on my journey to find more people. I collected my blanket, got the last bit of food I could find that was still sealed, filled up three water bottles, put on as many layers as clothing, and brought my teddy bear I have had since I was a baby. I brought along the blanket to keep me warm, and I could use it as shelter if I was desperate. Since I had no idea how long I would have to be travelling for I only ate mouthfuls of food at a time. My teddy bear made me feel not so alone, and that my family was still with me. It gave me hope.

I have been travelling for days already I have still not found anyone, not even an animal. I stumbled upon a corner store that had not been completely utterly wrecked in the bombing. Inside I put my blanket up over the two isles, for a tent. I found more food that was still edible. I kept all my food in my backpack until now; I have found a blue cooler. It isn’t in the best shape but it will have to do. I set up a radio, and every morning when I woke up and every night before I went to bed, I would tell the last survivors (if there were any) where I would be every day. Hoping that someone would hear my call and come for me.

Many days have passed and there has still been no answer to my message. I was beginning to think there was no hope left. When one night I was just about to doze off, when I heard frightening noise. I wondered what it could be. Too frighten to call out to it, I quickly but quietly grabbed a stone. It must have heard me move, it called out “Hello? Who’s there? Are you the one that has been sending out those messages?” A man said in a voice that could frighten an army. Too scared to reply, I lay quietly. His voice was one to be fearful of. “Click” and a bright light shined in my eyes, I was blinded. That was the last memory I had of that night. The next morning I woke up in the same spot, the only thing that was left was my teddy bear. All my food, my water, my blanket, my coat was stolen. Not even a trace of evidence was left behind. When I thought I was sending out those messages to help another human being that was in trouble, I ended up being the one in trouble.

After, it was too traumatizing to send out anymore messages. I had to move locations, and quickly find more food, water, and shelter before night fell. I couldn’t stop asking myself, “Who could be that selfish? Why couldn’t he have stayed and we could’ve worked as a team?” Weeks after this horrible accident, I finally had most of my supplies back. I thought I could’ve trusted more people. In times like these it would be better to work as a team. Next time I meet someone I will be more prepared in what their actions might be. Later, I found a group of people that have been all surviving together. They suggested I come and “live” with them until the society gets back on track. I have been living with the same six people for the last several months, waiting and hoping that things will be back how they used to be.