Excerpt



It seemed like an eternity until Larry returned. He was shaking as he said, I think we need to notify security. I overheard three men planning a terrorist attack in Alaska to take place in just a few months. I think the men were the same ones, who sat in the back. I was hiding in the bathroom, so I dont think they knew anyone was around.

Suddenly Sally and Larry felt their seats jerking twirling and twisting. It was as if they were in an earthquake. The other passengers were shouting and holding on to each other and their chairs in panic. Larry got up holding on to the seat wobbling back and forth, as he went to the front of the train car to see what was happening. He came back ashen-faced from fright. He could barely talk as he said to everyone, We have disconnected from the other train and are going backwards. He was trembling as he sat down. The two held each other tightly as the other passengers were screaming and holding on to their partners and seats. There was tumult everywhere.

What do we do now? Please God help us! How could this happen? Sally said, frightened. As she looked up, she could see two masked men come toward them with guns. They were asking the passengers for their money and valuables. As they came closer, Sally let out a scream and fell back in her seat.

Oh, they are just pretending like they do in the movies. Larry said, not truly convinced. Youre not getting any of our money, he said as bravely as he could. Just then one of the men came up to him, and with his gun, knocked him on the back of his head. As Larry fell back, Sally saw red. Angrily, she lashed out at the men and grabbed at his mask, pulling it away from his face. She gasped as she realized that he was the unshaven man who got on the train in Truckee. What have you done? This isnt a prank you mean business! She yelled.

Shut up lady! the man said in a gruff voice, as he whacked her on the head. She fell back against the seat. The men grabbed all that Sally and Larry had on them and jumped out the door just as the train derailed and they went hurtling down the mountainside.

Sally felt like she was falling into a deep, dark and cold hole. Her life flashed before her. Suddenly she could see all the things she had done wrong and also all the things she should have done and didnt. Lord, please help us get out of this hole. Forgive me of all my sins. I will try harder to do what you want me to do. Sally was pleading with God. All of a sudden Sally saw a streak of light. The train car was upside down. As she looked around the stench of dying bodies was everywhere. Some sprawled, some minced between the seats, equipment and the crunched car.

Sally reached over to try to feel for Larry. She could see him lying face down in the rubble. Their seats were smashed in the back of the wrecked car where most of the other passengers were lying so still. Sally thought, I should get over to them to see if there are any alive. As she lifted her head to where Larry was lying she felt liquid flowing. She knew it was blood. She feared the worst.

Suddenly she froze, and laid back paralyzed hardly breathing, as she heard the cold hard voices of the masked men coming into the wrecked car, Check if any are alive, we dont want any to get away before the bomb goes off and we get out of here.

We have to meet the rest to plan our strategy for the Alaska action. The second man said with an ugly laugh.

As Sally lay face-down, frozen to the floor she continued to pray, Lord, please dont let them know we are still alive and please dont let Larry or myself groan or moan until they leave, please.

As the two men stepped over them, a moan was heard. One of the terrorists pulled out his gun and, bang, the moan was silenced.

The blast of the gun jarred Sally. That was too near! The odor of gunpowder lingered in Sallys nostrils almost forcing her to sneeze. She knew this would be fatal for her. She was afraid the moan was her husbands last sound as she continued to pray, Please dont let them kill any more people.

The mens voices trailed as they continued on through the rest of the wreck. We dont have any witnesses here. Theyre all dead. Grab the loot and set the bomb to go off in 30 minutes that will give us time to get out of here. As they rushed out Sally heard a helicopter roar faintly in the distance.

Waiting until they were gone, she reached over to feel Larrys hand. She was thankful as she felt a tiny squeeze back. He is alive! Thank you, Lord for protecting us. She prayed.

Sally wrestled to get closer to Larry, as blood gushed from the back of her head. After wrapping her shirt over the spot, she turned Larry over with effort.

She could not feel or see him breathe, anymore. Frightened she felt for his pulse. It had left him.

Oh no, God, help me. She said as she gave him two breaths and with strength she could have not done on her own, she pumped his chest. One and two and three and four and breathe, as she had learned to do. She kept this up and suddenly she could feel a pulse again and could hear a slight moan from Larry as she passed out over him.