Inspiration for this story comes from what happened to me 7 years ago.

I'm not trying to make anybody here feel sorry for me, but this is just a tribute to who I lost that day.

My cousin Drew worked in the WTC. He was there on 9/11/01, and I was in the third grade at the time.

When the towers collapsed (I was at school and watching it on the news), I remember thinking, "Oh. My. God. Drew's not going to come to Christmas this year. Because he's DEAD. HE'S DEAD."

When I got out of school, my parents told me that he'd left us a message:

"Hey, umm, Aunt and Uncle, I'm in the World Trade Center right now...Umm...a plane just went and fucking crashed into my building. I'm...I'm not sure what the hell I'm supposed to do. It...it's really hot in here, I can't fucking breathe, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. Umm...well, I just want you guys to know, I love you, I love you hell of a lot. And Amanda, hey, you hang in there, okay? You be a good girl and you don't let cousin Drew down. You be strong, yeah? I love you all."

So, yeah. That's my inspiration for this oneshot. You got sad stories? Write a story. It helps you get the sadness out.