• It all just happened so fast. One minute, our car was making its way across the bridge, the next minute, that dreadful snapping sound of the bridge’s wires ripping apart. Horror swallowed up the other passengers, as soon as it did me. My sister Gabrielle screamed as the bridge lurched unkindly to one side, then swayed to the other. Her dark curls bounced up and down as the bridge did. Her blue eyes shifted from the murky water below to the other side of the bridge. To safety. Another harsh sound of the bridge’s wires snapping ripped through the air. I stifled a scream as my sister let out another one. My mum was gripping the steering wheel, like it held the secret to getting out of this mess. Yet, it didn’t. We were either going to be the few cars that were rescued, or the lot that had already fallen into the icy black waters below. I could see a red Ferrari sinking into the water’s unlawful depths. The car’s owner, was sadly trapped inside, without a way out. Even if he did get out by the time he hit the ground, he would be to cold to swim to the surface.
    Gabrielle let out another scream, as a huge piece of metal flew over our car. I saw more of the wires snapping and flying up into the air. The bridge lurched downward and my mum let out a scream as one wire slapped our front window. A large crack was left on our window. Our car skidded across the bridge, and hit another car. Gabrielle’s door was ripped off. She screamed, and crawled up onto my lap. I bit my lip when I saw that the part of the bridge we just drove off of had completely collapsed into the water. Large pieces of concrete and metal were sinking into the water. The bridge shook like a dog trying to shake off water after a bath. What the hell was causing all of this? Gabrielle clung to me as the wind whipped through her door. We were one inch away from death. The beast of it screaming at us from the bloodied road.
    It wasn’t long before another part of the bridge sank into the black water’s hungry depths. We were almost across when a large pole fell in our path. Mum hit the brakes and stopped the car. She looked at me and nodded. We were going to do the only thing we could. Gabrielle, being only seven and premature I had no choice but to carry her in my arms. I jumped out of the hole in the car. My mum quickly followed. My Converses hit the ground with small taps.
    I jumped over the metal pole with my sister still in my hands. Her pale skin was covered in goose bumps. I could see my breath and my mum had fallen behind. I spun around and looked at her horrified. She gave me a signal to keep going. I shook my head quickly, but my mum gave me a look like this wasn’t a time to argue. She was right. I sighed and ran down the black road. I was almost to the other side of the bridge when the bridge lurched again.
    More people were doing what I had and started getting out of their cars. I couldn’t see my mum at all. I stopped the cry in my throat that was coming. I couldn’t cry and show weakness. I couldn’t be the coward to my sister. I needed to be the hero, now. I needed to save her.
    She buried her face in my shirt. And began weeping. I shushed and ran as fast as my long, lean legs would take me. I stumbled, But managed to keep from falling across the concrete… or so I thought. I slipped across a sheet of ice and landed on my back, hitting my head against the concrete. I saw stars and felt something wet behind my head. I felt dizzy, but I managed to keep Gabrielle from getting hurt, and I had to finish what I started. I stood up, and got my balance back. I was sure my mum was gone, and if she was, I didn’t want to lose Gabrielle- or she end up losing me. I choked down the tears- and the pain- and ran faster than I ever had before.
    Gabrielle let out another scream, that I could’ve sworn broke my ear drum. Then I heard a whizzing sound and dropped to the ground, with my back covering her tiny body. Then, only a second later I looked up to see a car flying over my head. I looked behind me to see another part of the bridge had flown up and flung cars-and people- into the air.
    I let out the cry I was trying so hard to hold back. I stood up but my legs gave out, and I heard a cracking sound coming from underneath me. Then a sharp pain ripped through my leg. I crumpled to a ball. I failed. Gabrielle was flung from my waist and I then I heard an unkindly thump against the concrete followed by a crack and then, miserable sigh in pain. I squeezed my eyes shut and let the darkness swallow me whole.

    The sky was the brightest shade of baby blue, and, white, flocculent, clouds were spread across the blue canvas-like sky. I blinked a few times before realizing the grass beneath me was a rainbow of florescent colours; changing every second. Neon green, to a dark blue, to a vibrant shade of lavender, and then to gold, and silver, and pink, to red. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I stood up. Part of me wanted to cry; for no reason what so ever. Another part of me wanted to throw a rock at someone and throw fleas and ants in their underwear drawer and maybe set their house on fire. While another part wanted to scream and jump for joy. All of these feelings for no reason at all. The sun and the moon were both hanging in the sky. I had no idea if I was dreaming or not; but either way I loved it; and never wanted to leave. White snow flakes fell from the sky even though it had to be at least 75 degrees. I laughed as one fell onto my arm and melted into a cool water drop. This was absolutely amazing. The air was filled with the sweet sent of lilacs. The sent was so deep and luscious it burned my nose. I stood up and felt the cool grass squish beneath my feet. I took a step forward and let the snowflakes brush past my face. They created goose bumps on my arms. My black hair whipped across my face as a huge gush of wind blew past me, sending the snowflakes everywhere. I threw my arms into the air and ran through the field and spun around in circles.
    I felt so alive, so at home. I never wanted to leave, except for the part of me who wanted to throw fleas in someone’s underwear drawer; that part of me definitely wanted to leave. I let out a cry of joy. I fell back into the soft grass and closed my eyes as the snow fell around me. My eyes slowly began to grow heavier than led. I tried to force them open but I was to weak. The feeling of being tired soon overwhelmed my whole body and all my split personalities vanished. I smiled as I slowly fell asleep in the middle of the field…

    The next thing I knew I was staring up at a blue sky. Stroked with white clouds. Grass caressed my bloodied arms. I turned my head slightly to the left and cringed in pain. I flinched when I glanced at the bodies floating in the water. Drowned, stabbed, decapitated. The bridge was dipping into the water and massive chunks of paved road were missing.
    Gabrielle. Where was she? And Mum? Where had they gone? How had I gotten here, laying in tall grass dotted with violet flowers next to the black river the bridge collapsed in? I attempted to jumped up, forgetting all about my gash in my head and broken leg, and fell over. That’s when my I noticed my leg was bent in an awkward angle. I cringed as pain shot through my temples and I stretched my neck up. I glanced around the tall grass for any sign of Gabrielle or Mum. I only saw the search boats floating along the polluted water. I crawled into the grass. I needed to find Gabrielle before they found me. I scooted beneath a large piece of sharp edged wood that had flown from a boat the bridge had collapsed on. It had settled itself into the gut of a man, about mid forties. His eyes were closed. He has worry lines across his forehead. Death had come to him at the right time. By the small curve of his lip (as if he were smiling), he looked like he had finally found peace. Only because of that stupid piece of wood. I left him behind for the search team to find.
    I crawled along glancing left and right for Gabrielle. Still no luck. s**t. All that I could find were scattered bodies, either sleeping, wounded, or dead. I was close to thinking Gabrielle would end up being the few swallowed by the river, or worse death. For Mum, I believe death had grabbed a hold of her. Pulled her into a tight embrace, and wouldn’t let go. Back when we left her behind.
    I glanced at my leg which lay at a very awkward way. I pulled myself along the tall grass and paused every so often to catch my breath or hide from the search boats. The bodies scattered began to increase as I neared toward the collapsed bridge. Old men and women, babies, children, middle aged men and women, teenagers, children. They all lay askew in different directions. Death suffocating them. Holding them in his tight grip. His stench lingering among the pale, eye deflated children, men, women, teenagers, elders. As they wave their white flag in defeat. He pulls them deep down into his cradle arms. A safety net to those not strong enough to hold on to life’s slippery edge. As they march away towards light where ever it may lead them. I was beginning to believe I was the only one alive, and that I may never find Gabrielle.
    The amount of land I was crawling along was becoming narrow between the water and steep hill the bridge ended on. Even if I could climb up the edge of the hill with a broken leg I didn’t want to get caught. It was a priority to find Gabrielle. Dead or alive was another matter....     3nodding