It's about one moment. That moment that changes everything. You think you know where you stand but then you are pulled up from under your feet. It's all about the choices. The choices you make everyday that affect your future. However some choices have larger effects on your future than others. I made some decisions and took some actions recently. Now my future is no longer as clear as I once thought.
I snapped my laptop shut and leaned back in my seat. Raising my eye level and casting a stealthy gaze around the library I saw what I usually saw: a sprinkle of my fellow college goers and a lecturer or two dotted about. Many students were deep in concentration, probably for the upcoming exams. Most were either robotically typing on Laptops or quickly etching as many facts as they could from the dusty books onto an A4 pad. Unlike the others, I was simply abusing the wireless internet connection to update my many internet profiles and journals, as well as checking up on the days latest entertainment and music events.
It was then I made my first choice. I rose quietly from the desk and slid my computer into my bag. I pushed my chair back slightly so I could escape unnoticed by my busy peers. In this process however (as per usual) I knocked my phone off the desk. It hit the ground and broke the glassy silence with what seemed to be the loudest noise I could make. I was wrong. Feeling the floor slightly rumble I gazed out the window and watched as one of the neighboring buildings on the campus exploded and erupted into flames. The shockwave shattered the windows of the library and everyone in the room was thrown violently to the floor. The shards of sharp rain showered over me. I was practically deafened by the noise of it all. I only could hear what seemed to be distant screams and wails of sheer terror and harrowing pain.
It was mad, ridiculous! I opened my eyes and scanned what, only moments ago, was a peaceful study scene. Now it had suddenly turned into ground zero. All the tables had been turned over and many bookshelves had fallen, possibly crushing people beneath them. I had been thrown full force across the room and slammed against a wall. I then lay face down. My back was in tremendous pain as I forced myself to my knees. I could feel my own warm blood dribbling down the side of my face.
Questions of reasoning to account for the explosion swirled in my mind. The room spun around and I felt extremely unstable. I leaned forward and placed my hands on the ground. My stomach churned and tightened and I tried as best as I could to keep the vomit down. Taking a deep breath I stood, with some difficulty. My hearing began to return to me. This was when I realized the real horror of this catastrophe.
It was like I had been plunged into Hades itself. All around me were faces covered in tears and blood, twisted into shapes like gargoyles, forever in agony. Many people had shreds of glass impaled into them; others had their bodies broken against the floor from the impact. I could hear sirens in the distance. Would they be here on time? Would these people survive? Is there anything I could do?
That one moment. That's all it takes. I had to make a choice, I was well enough to selfishly flee from the library before there was another explosion. Wait! Maybe I could try to help some of these people, but I might hurt them more. I’d never even done a first aid class! These people; some even my friends, my teachers and my fellow human beings. They all have loved ones, they all have lives, they all have hopes, and they all have dreams. I don't know how long I stood there contemplating, but it seemed like and eternity went by. Like I saw my entire life played out before me. I was snatched back to my nonsensical reality as the doors of the library were flung open. Paramedics rushed into the desecrated room, athletically dodging debris to reach those in need.
My crisis of conscience was over. The professionals were here, the people would be saved. Finally I went make my escape to safety. Yet I couldn't move. I watched, as if it were a movie. The paramedics ran over shouting things at me and at each other. What had I done? Should I have been helping? I cast my eyes downwards and saw the foot-long spike of glass that was piercing my chest. Everything went black.
One moment. That's all it takes. You make that choice; what seems like a small decision can make all the difference. Why hadn't I stayed sitting?
Random? No.
con amor, paz y cordero a la parrilla
Jon.
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