Washington: Survivor
Chapter 18
Robin Washington had started to doze off in front of the TV set. Her living room recliner was comfortable. Since Sal’s death she’d spent many nights in that chair. Sometimes the bed was too painful.
She used to go out with friends in the afternoon. But the few she had by now had died. She was afraid she’d be the next to end up with cancer. Ever since her husband died it had become difficult for her to make new friends. Her life became very public when the media got a hold of the information about how Sal died. There was a public outcry to have her imprisoned or at least placed in a psychiatric facility.
Only the police, lawyers and doctors close to the case knew that it was a simple accident, and there was no way they could prosecute her in good conscious. But a part of Robin wanted a trial. She wanted to know if people really did believe she was a killer. The district attorney never filed charges and eventually the media hype died down, but all of it left Robin very socially awkward and insecure.
She had had the news on but one shooting after another in Miami had made watching it almost repugnant. But she didn’t want to miss her lottery numbers.
“…We now go to Edgar Lopez in central Miami for breaking news,” Robin heard on the television. “Breaking news” came one rung above a shooting. But she opened her eyes and stared at it nonetheless.
“Thanks Ana,” the man on TV said. “Residents of this neighborhood are rocked on their heels at this hour. Earlier this evening, the nearby Central Miami High School went up in flames after multiple bombs exploded, nearly leveling the entire building…”
Robin took notice and sat up in her chair slowly. Her heart sank and she felt herself unable to move. She could only watch helplessly. “My God…”
“…Officials are telling us that there were less than a hundred people inside, students in night classes, and that no survivors have been found. With no warning and the building in this condition, they would be surprised if anyone made it out alive. Beyond that, needless to say, students won’t be in class tomorrow morning. We’re still getting more information and we’ll bring it to you as we get it. Ana, back to you.”
Robin forced herself to put on a coat. As warm as Miami usually was, the winter time kept it especially cool. She made it out the door and to her car. She drove the high school as quickly as she could. She could not fathom Tina being dead. Robin took her in mere months ago but felt like Tina was her own daughter.
It was Tina’s first night of classes. Robin had pushed her into it so she would eventually be able to get a decent job — maybe even go to college first if she got good grades. Tina resisted at first only because of the extra effort, but ultimately knew it was the right thing to do.
Robin got to the school. Firefighters were still trying to put out the fire that consumed the remains of the school building. Police lights flashed from every direction like strobe lights, practically blinding the old woman.
Robin stumbled out of her car and toward the crowds of officials. It was very noisy and there were people from the nearby neighborhoods all around. She saw the news crew and the man she recognized from TV.
She was caught off guard when she heard a firefighter shouting from the wreckage. She could not make out what he was shouting. But he kept repeating it.
“Some fire!” she thought. No.
“Sure rider!” No.
She followed the voice.
“Survivor!” he shouted. “We found a survivor!”
Robin was filled with hope. She ran toward the firefighter as he lifted Tina out of the rubble.
Robin Washington had started to doze off in front of the TV set. Her living room recliner was comfortable. Since Sal’s death she’d spent many nights in that chair. Sometimes the bed was too painful.
She used to go out with friends in the afternoon. But the few she had by now had died. She was afraid she’d be the next to end up with cancer. Ever since her husband died it had become difficult for her to make new friends. Her life became very public when the media got a hold of the information about how Sal died. There was a public outcry to have her imprisoned or at least placed in a psychiatric facility.
Only the police, lawyers and doctors close to the case knew that it was a simple accident, and there was no way they could prosecute her in good conscious. But a part of Robin wanted a trial. She wanted to know if people really did believe she was a killer. The district attorney never filed charges and eventually the media hype died down, but all of it left Robin very socially awkward and insecure.
She had had the news on but one shooting after another in Miami had made watching it almost repugnant. But she didn’t want to miss her lottery numbers.
“…We now go to Edgar Lopez in central Miami for breaking news,” Robin heard on the television. “Breaking news” came one rung above a shooting. But she opened her eyes and stared at it nonetheless.
“Thanks Ana,” the man on TV said. “Residents of this neighborhood are rocked on their heels at this hour. Earlier this evening, the nearby Central Miami High School went up in flames after multiple bombs exploded, nearly leveling the entire building…”
Robin took notice and sat up in her chair slowly. Her heart sank and she felt herself unable to move. She could only watch helplessly. “My God…”
“…Officials are telling us that there were less than a hundred people inside, students in night classes, and that no survivors have been found. With no warning and the building in this condition, they would be surprised if anyone made it out alive. Beyond that, needless to say, students won’t be in class tomorrow morning. We’re still getting more information and we’ll bring it to you as we get it. Ana, back to you.”
Robin forced herself to put on a coat. As warm as Miami usually was, the winter time kept it especially cool. She made it out the door and to her car. She drove the high school as quickly as she could. She could not fathom Tina being dead. Robin took her in mere months ago but felt like Tina was her own daughter.
It was Tina’s first night of classes. Robin had pushed her into it so she would eventually be able to get a decent job — maybe even go to college first if she got good grades. Tina resisted at first only because of the extra effort, but ultimately knew it was the right thing to do.
Robin got to the school. Firefighters were still trying to put out the fire that consumed the remains of the school building. Police lights flashed from every direction like strobe lights, practically blinding the old woman.
Robin stumbled out of her car and toward the crowds of officials. It was very noisy and there were people from the nearby neighborhoods all around. She saw the news crew and the man she recognized from TV.
She was caught off guard when she heard a firefighter shouting from the wreckage. She could not make out what he was shouting. But he kept repeating it.
“Some fire!” she thought. No.
“Sure rider!” No.
She followed the voice.
“Survivor!” he shouted. “We found a survivor!”
Robin was filled with hope. She ran toward the firefighter as he lifted Tina out of the rubble.
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