You know how you always watch apocalypse movies and tell yourself that if it were you, you'd be more prepared? If it's a zombie apocalypse theme, you'd say you'll be the one in a million who doesn't get infected and sometimes even imagine how you would heartlessly or mercifully kill your family if any of them got infected? Sometimes you even think of the best building in your neighborhood to hide in?
And if it was an apocalypse based on alien invasion, you'd say you'd be the hero who doesn't get captured by the aliens and you'd probably plan how you'd gather ammunition for your protection, and live somewhere underground?
Remember all those preparations you thought you had, and how you were sure you were ready for whatever apocalypse the earth would face?
Well, I and my family always acted these kind of scenarios out. And after all the world annihilation movies we'd watched, we thought we were mentally and emotionally prepared for anything that came our way.
But nothing could've prepared us for the actual destruction that we faced…
"Come on, Skye," I pulled her arm. Disconnected from my mom, all I could do now was follow her instructions and get out of the library building like every other screaming person was doing. All the while praying that the library wasn't the next target.
There was pushing and kicking, screaming and clawing.
We were fortunate enough, I suppose. We were on the ground floor. Unlike those who had to battle their way out of the second and third floor.
"Skye, whatever happens, do not let go of my hand," I warned. Until now, I never really knew this much people came to the library. There were people trooping out of every corner.
I could see the balls of sweat running down Skye's face as we ran like our lives depended on it…
Oh, our lives did depend on it.
"Ahhh!!"
Another explosion sounded, causing everyone who was on their feet to fall to the ground as the entire building shook heavily.
Every sound around me abruptly faded away. All I could hear was a loud whistle, everything before me seemed to have blurred, I could feel my head spinning, could feel I was on top of someone else, I had no idea who.
I could feel slim slender hands tapping on my face. 'Skye' my eyes squinted as I tried to focus and correct my blurry vision. Slowly, very slowly, the sounds were coming back. The screams grew louder and the whistling sound in my ear soon disappeared.
"Kiva, are you alright? Get up. You have to get up." I could finally make out the words Skye was saying.
"I'm fine," I quickly replied. "I'm fine, let's go. Let's get out of here before another blast finishes off this place." I said as I pulled myself up with Skye's help.
I was terrified as well as grateful. Grateful that that blast didn't tear the building down completely. It seemed that it only hit the upper part. But I was terrified that the next one would blast the entire building, with me and Skye in it..
With all the strength we could muster, our heads turned toward the direction of the exit, we moved our feet as fast as they could carry us, running amidst the other people who were desperate to save their lives.
And we ran. We ran so had that I could not see the girls who were beside me. The only thing in my head was the exit.
The closer we got to the exit, the faster my heart raced. We could both die if we didn't make it to that door in time.
In one long stretch, we reached the door. A bunch of girls were passing through the same exit, blocking us from passing through.
I felt Skye's clench tighten.
Seeing the struggle to pass through, I pushed into the midst of the girls, dragging Skye in there with me.
Fighting my way through the equally fighting girls, everyone pushing their way through the door. More people were coming from behind.
The place was so tight that I could feel people's bones pressing mine. But I was in no position to think of the discomfort, I pressed forward.
"Look!!" One girl with a very loud voice yelled, and all eyes looked up, and I had no idea I could panic more than I already was, but as I saw a massive ball of flame coming towards us, my heart literally flew out of my chest.
"AHHHH!!" Their screams echoed as the pushing intensified. I could feel Skye fiercely pushing from behind.
"Skye, push harder!" I yelled, still holding her hand. Dragging forward as she pushed from behind.
"Ahhh!!" More screams came as the ball of flames got closer, and closer, it was moving at a rather fast speed, and with all the strength I could muster, I plunged forward, and I also felt Skye push harder. Her push caused my body to jam into the girls before me with much pressure, pushing them out the door and dragging Skye with me.
"Run, Skye!" I yelled, as the ball of flame was literally over our heads. So close to the building. We moved even faster than our feet were supposed to move. But then…
BOOM, came the loud explosion.
I never liked heights. I never played any sports that required heights, and never went on high rides whenever I visited amusement parks with my family.
That was why when we got a room that was on the third floor, I wasn't too happy, but I was grateful it wasn't higher than that. I was terrified of heights, so I avoided it as much as possible.
But today, I had no choice, as the explosion sent us both flying high up in the air, and at that point, mid-air, I could feel the fear suck the life right out of me.
I could feel blood rush to my chest, as I drew in a sharp terrified breath and awaited the impact with whatever we were going to land on.