The Unfortunate Dwight Collins. 2

Dwight Collins stood up with a pinch in his left knee. His 48 year old body was worrying as hard as his mind. The door he feared ten minutes ago opened behind him. He looked at the two older faces with absolute fear written all over them. This moment he remembers seemed to be the longest of that day.

“What the hell happened to 25 westbee” CEO one said of coarse with a quiver in his throat.

Collins looked at him in the eyes and said frantic to the thought, “This might be the start of another Pearl or 9/11, and either way sir everyone needs to leave, right now.” Collins moved to the stairs down the hall when the other big shot stopped him and said.

“Now wait a minute, its best if we stay put and wait things out instead of running all over the city streaming.” The little man was shooting from the hip like he was making a deal. His eyes flew all over the hallway. And Collins knew not to following him anymore.

“Sir I really do not know what is going on. It could be a traumatic accident, but I am leaving because I saw 25 westboard fall with people inside and that’s reason enough if I want to run around the city screaming my head off.” Collins pulled his arm free and moved to the stairwell. He looked back at the two who moved to the opening to watch the next batch come in. ‘so many stairs to go and they just stand there, fools that I have been afraid of and followed for the last five years, yes I am more foolish.’

He jetted down skipping clusters of steps and vaulting railings to save time. The further he went the more people flooded the stair tower. He didn’t mind the company; it gave him a sense of relief that he wasn’t the only one spooked, ok shitting bricks. The wave of people he was a part of started to push and pull on each other, he realized this was bad. Soon people would get trampled and packed at the garage door. He had to get out of the typhoon of people.

The lobby exit was opened as more tried to funnel in the tower. He just managed to get out knocking a small man over and tripping into a sofa for waiting visitors. He got up and looked around. It was difficult with the light from outside blocked. The rubble from 25 westboard rolled into his building and the dust choked his lungs. He went into a bathroom with a surprisingly small amount of people.

He recognized no one; he pulled his handkerchief out and soaked it with what was left of cold water. He noticed in a garbage can two water bottles as he went to leave. That’s when it hit him, how long will this craziness last. He grabbed them and filled them up, put his mouth to the faucet and took large amounts of water in. His stomach ached from the massive invasion of liquid. But he knew it was a good idea.

One last look at the people in the restroom who were too frantic to speak to. He noticed a woman being clutched by a man. Again he didn’t know either of them but she reminded him of his step daughter and step son if they were with him. As he moved from the bathroom he looked at his phone hoping he could make a call. The screen was stone black and connect-less. He put it in his pocket thinking, ‘expensive paper weight if this keeps going.’

Again in the lobby he put the soaked handkerchief to his mouth and could breathe quite well. But now seeing was the trick. He heard a lot more screaming at the stair tower he was in five minutes ago. His primal thinking got him passed that event. Now he has to get out of the city. The main entrance was blocked so he moved into the first floor following a exterior hallway. Thankfully after three doorways the dusty air was bearable the windows some how survived the next door crash, so he could see.

He un-tucked his shirt so no one would see the water bottles as he found south exit on other side of the building. He figured if he could remember water any other Joe who needed it would grab his in desperation. He came to the conclusion when he we 42 that fighting wasn’t his sport anymore. Just as he finished that thought he saw two fellas exchange fists in the most brutal of fashion.

As Collins passed to the door he noticed a wallet laying next to the two wrestling now, ‘my god, over money, such an ugly god for so many.’ Outside the choking dust was back and his health was a serious concern to him now. It’s been a while since he ran this far, plus to keep going. His adrenaline was doing a good job but it was decreasing because he was getting used to the chaos. As he turned to the vehicle entrance of the garage he thought about his kids again and got a jolt of strength in his legs to move.

The garage was massive and sturdy. As well a shelter for a lot of people. Collin’s face read fear because he was suddenly auditioning as he entered the complex. He smiled as another building fell in the distance. He turned to look as well everyone else. “He has water.” a young boy yelled out. Collin’s treasure was exposed.

“Hold on, we all are over-reacting, his is not the end of the world. Ok, here it is.” He didn’t know if they bought it but he knew he had to keep at least one of the bottles.

“If you’re smart you will share this water and get out of the city as I am. I am going to set this water on the ground for you.” He did as very slowly as they slowed as well. They didn’t think of another bottle with the sparkling one in plain sight. “I will walk away and all of you can settle this amongst yourself and think of this as charity form me.” He finished trying to bring the situation back before the chaos. He moved carefully not to expose his back again. As he got to the second level he saw the madness of a little water can make people, they tore at each other. The women and children got the worse of it. As Collins stared at the crime he realized how bad things got as well how quickly.

The second level he got to his SUV. Inside he took a clean breathe and felt his body quiver in exhaust. From the sights and sounds he was afraid. But the future of his kids was what really took him. He thought where the two would be right now. It was summer time and they were not at school, and that means if they were bored they would do whatever and tracking them down would be hard.

The engine he thought. A cold sweat came over him in the shaded SUV. He put the key in the ignition and said in a low voice. “Please kick over.” He turned the key quickly………