Alex Johnson looked up at the two huge buildings in front of him. It was his first time in New York. He had been looking forward to this day for the past 4 months. His dad had promised him they could visit the World Trade Center. So today, his 10th birthday, September 11th, 2001, was going to be a very good day.

“Come on Alex! We’re going to be late for the tour!” cried Alex’s mom.                                                                                                                                                       “Hurry up! Do you want to come or not? I heard that the World Trade Center has the best ice-cream! Wouldn’t be a great birthday if you missed out!” said Alex’s dad

After the tour, they bought Alex a vanilla-chocolate ice-cream in the underground mall. After viewing all the shops in the underground, they wanted to take the elevator up to the first floor. However, the elevator was too crowded, so they found themselves heading up towards the  top of the building and the observation deck.

“Oh well,” said Alex’s dad, “I guess we’re going to see the observation deck again!”

Suddenly, as they were reaching the 93rd floor, there was a massive bang and the whole elevator shook and stopped instantly. The lights turned off. Everyone started to scream.

“What was that?” cried Alex...

“Fire! Fire!” Yelled the muffled voices outside of the elevator.

“What are we going to do? God help us!” panicked one of the passengers. 

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It took over an hour and half before help arrived. The fire fighters levered open the doors with their red axes.

“Is everyone okay?” 

“What happened?” asked mum.

“An airplane hit the building, we need to get out as fast as possible before the fire reaches this floor!”

The fire fighters led them towards the staircase. At that moment, there was a huge rumble and the ceiling fell. Dad and mum and Alex and all but one of the firefighters were instantly crushed beneath the rubble. Only Alex’s leg was trapped but he was in agony.

“ Help!” yelled both Alex and his parents.

“Who should I save?” asked the firefighter.

“Save the kid!” commanded Alex’s dad from under the rubble.

“What about you?” said Alex.

“The firefighters can come back for us! Now go!”

“I got you!” the firefighter levered the concrete block up with his axe.

Alex screamed in pain. 

The fireman lifted Alex onto his shoulder and sprinted for the stairs. Hundreds of stairs later, the fireman arrived on the base floor and got Alex to safety.

“What about my mom and dad? You promised you were gonna rescue them!”

“Okay kid, hang on here while I get your parents!”

The fireman disappeared back into the building. But, just then, from above, there came a deafening sound like a waterfall. Alex looked up. A gray cloud was rushing down the building, immersing everything in dust and rubble...

The next thing Alex knew, he had lost everything...