LISTENING TO THE ECHOES.

It was already getting late, and I was getting exhausted of these women gist as they ate and left me behind, it was a usual thing for me while I just chat on my phone or listen to music. I was just planning how my day would be the next day as a teacher. Argh? Why again? I just hope the kids would be nice to me for the mean time, or else I could be tough on them. We were at the balcony receiving the fresh breeze outside when suddenly, one of our neighbors rang across us panicking. I was curious to know what was wrong with him. He was a student and works at the grocery shop which I stopped by at earlier, although I didn't get to meet him. I came closer to hear what he was saying.

"Ryan what's wrong?" Jessica asked. She always likes playing the detective part, and she had once shared her experience that she was offered a job as one, but rather followed true love. I wondered how true that was because, she was opposite that profession. I stared at mirabelle who adjusted her wig like a judge ready to pass judgement as quick as possible, and I was the plaintiff waiting to hear the accused. He tried to catch his breath, and I gave him a glass of water to ease the tension before speaking. He hasted for a little while and stared at us three before speaking.

"Delis grocery just collapse!" He wailed and Jessica held his hand to have a seat. It was like I wasn't there any longer. I could only hear echos and nothing else. Was that real or a joke? My legs seemed stuck, but I pulled them gradually, my hands were shaking, and I came closer to him.

"What did you say?" I murmured aloud, and he repeated it with a tensed voice. He got lucky because it was his day off. I quickly ran towards my room and wore a jacket to go and view the scene for myself, Jessica and Mirabelle came along, and we rode in Jessica's car there. It was a large grocery job and firefighters had appeared in the scene including rescue guards. I watched the crowd that had gathered outside waiting to reunite with their families who were a victim of the collapse. We weren't allowed to get into the building as fire raged in fury. I closed my eyes and could hear people screaming for helping inside. What was wrong with me? I felt there were survivors inside being trapped that haven't being detected yet. I needed to alert these men, but they wouldn't listen to me and I tried to figure out a way to get inside. Jessica held my hand.

"Don't try teaching them their duties, they know what they are doing" she said, pulling me backward away from these guys. I mused and flipped her hand off mind rudely. Does she think I like what I was doing? I didn't seem myself, which amused me.

"Girl don't be harsh, you can't go in there" Mirabelle explained, but I didn't heed to what they say. All I knew was that there was a way out, and these people trapped were hoping for a savior. I mean, if I could help, why not try? The scream for help was becoming louder in my head and in a hurry, I pressed through the crowd, jumped over the tape and dashed into a small opening of the building. I was swift to get because even the firefighters didn't notice when I got in, or probably it would be that they couldn't stop me from going in. I coughed vigorously due to the smoke and dust from the crumbles that fell, I was scared and same time eager to save a life. I closed my eyes and suddenly fell down, which made me weak. The screams were still loud, and it felt I was closer to them. Luckily for me, in my state of nervousness, a young boy ran towards my direction with some people behind him. He tapped me on the shoulder to follow him. It seemed he was now the hero here, but I realized he was going the wrong way. I tried to stand up with a grunt, and an elderly woman pulled me up with a guarantee that we all will be rescued. I wondered how. When the rescue guards were busy saving who they saw outside the building.

"We're going the wrong way" I muttered to the boy at the front. Everyone turned their gaze at me.

"Follow me" I whispered and ran towards the direction I came in. I was surprised how everyone followed suit instead of arguing if I knew the way. We got to the place, which was a small hole that was about to be closed because the building was still shaking. I managed to get everyone out except this young boy who was still behind because he was helping people get out, I couldn't just leave him behind. Since when have I start caring? Wasn't I the mean miss, as Jessica had termed me. Besides, I felt I wasn't controlling myself. Hurriedly, I ran towards him, dragged him and tried to push him outside, in the process, I became trapped inside, but I was glad he got out. I coughed heavily and held my chest while in silent tears. Was I going to die here, I looked up and screamed. The building was finally crumbling on me, I knew I wouldn't make it so why try saving myself now and fell to my knees and finally saw myself on the ground with dim eyes and pains around my body.

"Hello!!!" I could hear echos again.

"Can you hear me?" It furthered with a sound so loud, and I closed my eyes, screaming. Now footsteps were approaching at me, in a little while, I couldn't recall what happened anymore. Maybe I'm dead.