The following story is not related to Royal Road in anyway.
This was a story, I wrote two years ago for my kid sister who had to submit an assignment in relation to Diary Entry for her English class. The story is entirely fictional, however the places and minor details with regards to the tragedy are true. It is a really good read and I just wanted to share it with everyone.
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Date: Friday, 11th March 2011
Since childhood, I have often dreamt walking down desolate streets, surrounded by dilapidated buildings. No matter how long I walked in my dream, everything around me is in complete ruins. I have always wondered whether this dream was a lost memory from the past or a warning about the future to unfold? Today, I found the answer, it was a warning.
It began as an ordinary day with my mom yelling at me to wake up. As an everyday routine, I hurriedly got ready for school and she began badgering me about how I should wake up on time. Before she could lecture me on the importance of breakfast, I grabbed two freshly made rice cakes and ran out of the house. My ordinary day continued; the same yakisoba bread for lunch, the same conversations with friends, and the same boring classes.
As school ended, I alone stayed behind to finish the preparations for tomorrow’s cultural activities. That is when it happened, that is when my ordinary life came to a crashing halt. The ground shook violently and something hit my head. As I fell to ground losing consciousness, I remember only hearing the screams of students.
Date: Saturday, 12th March 2011
If only, it had been an ordinary earthquake, maybe my today might not have been so different.
I woke up in my classroom with my head throbbing in pain. Looking at the desks and chairs lying thrown all over the classroom, vivid memories came flooding back. My mother’s yelling now seemed like a distant dream...as I walked through the abandoned corridors of the school in search for company, the circumstances resembled awfully similar to my dream; alone in a post apocalyptic world. Rather than being afraid of the loneliness, I decided to fight my destiny.
I declared to myself, “I am not alone; I already have a companion, my diary.”
Mustering all my courage, I grabbed my bag and headed towards the fire escape just as I had practiced during disaster management workshops. However, my plans were soon drowned as I realized that the lower and ground floors were under water. Just like that my courage crumbled, and I could no longer hold back the tears of fright and loneliness.
It was dark outside and I was starving. I didn’t even know what time it was. Thoughtlessly, I pulled out my cell phone from my bag, to check the time...
Date: Sunday, 13th March 2011
Only a few minutes back I managed to get connectivity on my cell phone. As instructed by the emergency helpline, I have been waiting on the school’s roof top for a JSDF helicopter to rescue me. As far as my eyes could see, it appeared that all of Minamisanriku had been submerged under water. Staring into the horizon I felt only anger towards the Gods who robbed me of my past. My childhood playground, the local grocery vendor, all of it was gone. I tightly hugged my precious diary, the only
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proof of the Minamisanriku I grew up in, as if I were protecting it from an invisible foe...
It has been nearly two days since the earthquake and my last meal, I fainted due to hunger.
Waking up in the rescue helicopter, I caught a glimpse of the view below through the window; most of Miyagi Prefecture lay in waste. The sight of devastation left a numb tingling sensation throughout my body. As my thoughts turned towards my mother, I found it strangely twisted and ironic, to pray for her safety to the very Gods responsible for such destruction...
Date: Monday, 14th March 2011
I learnt the earthquake recorded 9 on the Richter scale; it had enough power to destroy thousands of homes, bring the Japanese economy to a standstill and even shift the Earth’s axis. Yet regardless of all its strength, it failed to crush our indomitable spirit.
The campsite was overflowing with compassion. People from everywhere were here, some from Iwate and some from Miyagi. Everyone here was somebody who had lost someone or something and yet for some reason nobody gave into the despair.
The courage displayed reminded me of the lines from Invictus, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” I do not know whether those lines gave me courage or hope, but at that moment I didn’t feel like a powerless little girl.
I began assisting in the distribution of food, water and blankets across the campsite. While helping around, I found Misaki, a fellow classmate. We hugged each other on sight and seeing a familiar face brought a huge smile on both our faces. My cheeks still hurt from smiling; I don’t think I have ever been so happy.
I miss my mother...I pray for her safety.
Date: Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Today has been a good day. The day has been warmer, the water levels receded and lots of people were rescued. Seeing Misaki reunite with her mother, shed a small ray of hope for me, maybe somewhere out there my mother is safe.
As I walked into the warehouse, our makeshift shelter, an old man in his forty’s called out to me. He introduced himself as a friend and claimed to know my mother. He told me, I must have an angel watching over me, since I survived both of Japan’s worst earthquakes; the 1995 Kobe and 2011 Tohoku.
It then flashed back; the recurring dream was a memory of the past after all. It all came back to me, the ground trembling, buildings collapsing. I was two years old when it happened. I was playing in the garden when my house collapsed burying both my parents. I remember, walking forever in the ruins searching for somebody to help my parents. I remember waking up in the warm arms of lady who told me everything will be alright. I remember calling her my mother and hugging her tightly...
I know she is out there, I hope she remembers her daughter hates waiting.
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Hope you liked it. (now back to preparing material for Vol 2 and exams!!! :o )