
     ,,n9e
  ,ryan ,left ,al"o
  ,r`yan ,daley awoke e>ly t fate;l morn+4 ,he _h a fad+ recollec;n ( noise 9 ! mi4le (! ni<t4 ,x _h n be5 5 6wake hm fully1 b he rememb}$ ?9k+ 8 dad _h -e home4 ,b !n he rememb}$ t 8 dad 0 n expect$ until morn+4 ,8 "m 0 6pick up 8 dad af ,ryan h1d$ t{>d ! ,/eeles' 6walk 6s*ool ) ,raymie4
  ,ryan didn't he> 8 "m & assum$ he _h ris5 2f h}4 ,he took 8 %{} & dress$1 !n f9i%$ 8 home"w 2f h1d+ d{n 6br1kfa/4 ,surely %e wd 2 up 0n{4
  ,b %e wasn't "!4 ,a note await$ ,ryan4 ,x r1d3 8,h"oy1 pl1se /ay "h until ,i call y4 ,i'm go+ 6try 6get 6,o',h>e4 ,i'm n sure ,i'll get "? 2c ( "ey?+ t's be5 happ5+1 s pl1se don't worry4 ,& if ! /uff on televi.n bo!rs y1 j turn x (f4 ,dad & ,i'll 2 home z soon z ,i c f9d hm4 ,i cdn't get an answ} at ! ,/eeles1 s don't g "! un.s y talk 6,mrs4 ,/eele or ,raymie f/4 ,& don't walk 6s*ool al"o4 ,"! may n ev5 2 s*ool td4 ,!y %d say on ! news4 ,i'll call y "s"t ? morn+4 ,don't g any": until y he> f me1 pl1se4 ,love1 ,mom40
  ,ryan _h no idea :at %e 0 talk+ ab1 b t didn't keep hm f worry+4
  ,he got hmf "s c}1l & turn$ on ! ll ,,tv 8 mom kept on ! kit*5 c.t}4 ,n"o (! /,ns wd -e in1 s he turn$ x (f4 ,:5 he f9i%$ eat+1 he decid$ he wd call ,raymie4 ,! ph"os w}5't "w+1 b he notic$ ! message li<t bl9k+ on ! answ}+ ma*9e4 ,he press$ ! button4 ,8 "m _h call$ at f|r-?irty 9 ! morn+4 ,s1 t 0 :at he _h he>d4 ,%e _h left 9 ! mi4le (! ni<t4 ,& ? call came l;g af %e _h writt5 ! note & left4 8,ryan10 8 "m's record$ voice sd1 8,i'm /uck 9 "s unbelieva# tra6ic "h1 & ,i don't "k if ,i c get 6,o',h>e or back home4 ,i'll j keep try+4 ,:5 y get ? message1 call me on my c> ph"o4 ,y "k ! numb}4 ,i c't get "? 6,o',h>e 0ph"o ei1 &! f/ "t ,i tri$ 6call y all ! circuits 7 busy4 ,s if x doesn't "w1 keep try+4 ,& rememb}1 don't worry4 ,i'll f9d ,dad & we'll get home z soon z we c4   ,x
  ,8 "m _h s.d$ worri$ h}f4 ,h{ cd he n worry8 ,ryan / cdn't br+ 9 any ,,tv /,ns1 s he turn$ on ! radio & hook$ up 8 video games4 ,he 0 imm}s$ 9 8 favorite game :5 he r1liz$ :at 0 happ5+4 ,x 0 l a sc>y sci;e-fic;n movie1 ! k9d he _h n be5 all{$ 6wat* until he turn$ twelve & : / sc>$ hm if he 0 h"o/ ) hmf4
  ,"s?+ _h happ5$4 ,millions ( p all ov} ! _w _h 4appe>$ at ! same "t4 ,!y left "ey?+ 2h b fle% & b"o4 ,driv}.s c>s1 trucks1 & buses _h cra%$1 %ips ran agr.d1 planes cra%$4 ,:}"e "s"o 0 9 *>ge ( "s?+ important & !y 4appe>$1 "s?+ t}ri# w5t wr;g4
  ,ryan yank$ 8 video game 3troll} | (! ,,tv & 2gan se>*+ = any gd *annel4 ,f9,y e *annel 0 su45ly cry/al cle>1 &! newsm5 ev5 talk$ ab t4 ,!y sd t s}vice provid}s f9d+ t p{}1 wat}1 & -munic,ns 7 "s"ts gd1 "s"ts bad4 8,if y m/ make a ph"o call1 2 sure x's an em}g5cy & get (f qkly 6keep l9es op5 z m* z possi#40
  ,n{ ,ryan 0 sc>$4 ,:at if 8 dad _h be5 on a plane ": ! pilot 4appe>$8 ,? _h happ5$ j 2f elev51 :5 he _h f/ he>d ! sir5s6 ,! news reports told ( fires "?|t ! suburbs &! c;y ( ,*icago4 ,9 fact1 "! 7 fires all ov} ! _w ": p _h put "s?+ on ! /ove1 !n 4appe>$ & n"e came back 6turn x (f4 ,ryan imag9$ 8 "m try+ 6drive "? impossibly block$ nei<borhoods4 ,he saw a helicopt} view (! expressways1 : 7 l huge p>k+ lots4 ,! only luck "s p _h 0 :5 !y 7 a# 6get (f ! hi<ways & try ! side /reets4
  ,ryan knew 8 "m _h expect$ 6be home 0n{ & n l1ve hm "! al"o 6see ?4 ,he 0 fasc9at$ 0 ! reports f >.d ! _w1 & he sat wideey$1 8 m|? hang+ op51 z video %ots %{$ p 4appe>+ & _! clo!s float+ 6! gr.d4
  ,a tape broadca/ f ,hawaii %{$ a bir?"d "py ": ! bir?"d girl1 h} two bro!rs1 & h} p>5ts vani%$ z a nei<bor videotap$ h} bl{+ | h} c&les4 ,%e l1n$ close 6! cake & took a br1?1 !n %e 4appe>$1 & h} "py hat fell 96! c&les & erupt$ 96flames4 ,! woman do+ ! videotap+ saw only ! flames & qkly d|s$ ! fire1 !n r1liz$ t %e & ano!r c|ple 7 ! only p / "!4 ,ryan he>d h} gasp+ & try+ 6talk z %e tap$ ! sc5es ( ll piles ( clo!s all >.d ! room4
  ,:5 ! /,n replay$ ! tape 9 sl{ mo;n1 ,ryan saw :at ! video cam}a woman _h n se54 ,j 2f ! ll girl's hat fell 96! c&les1 ! girl _h 4appe>$1 & h} dress dropp$ | (! picture4
  ,a video f a helicopt} on ! ,we/ ,coa/ %{$ cops pull+ ov} a motori/4 ,z "o patrolman approa*$ ! driv}'s side &! o!r back$ hm up at ! "r re> (! c>1 ! driv} & "o ( 8 two pass5g}s 4appe>$1 & s did ! backup cop6 ,! patrolman assum$ ! driv} & "o ( 8 pass5g}s _h duck$ d{n 9 ! s1t1 s he pull$ 8 w1pon & w>n$ 8 "pn}1 :o 0 no l;g} "!4 ,! cop put bo? h&s on 8 revolv} & skipp$ 6! back (! c> 6*eck on 8 backup & 4cov}$ 8 cap1 %irt1 badge1 tr|s}s1 belt1 gun1 cu6s1 ammuni;n1 & %oes "r ": he _h be5 /&+4 ,! patrolman panick$1 scr1m+ at ! o3upants (! c> 6-e | ) _! h&s up :ile he scamp}$ 2h 8 {n patrol c> = cov}4
  ,z he cr|*$ "!1 "o woman 9 ! backs1t (! c> came | 9 hy/}ics1 scr1m+ t ! driv} &! o!r pass5g} _h 4appe>$4 ,! cop made h} lie face d{n on ! pave;t1 & he cu6$ h} 2f se>*+ ! c>4 ,he pull$ empty clo!s f ! s1ts1 !n rel1s$ h} f ! cu6s & -=t$ h} z !y tri$ 6make s5se ( x4
  ,0! "t ! cam}aman 9 ! *opp} r1liz$ :at _h happ5$1 s"eal a3id5ts _h o3urr$ on ! same /ret* ( hi<way4 ,he pull$ back & pann$ wide 6see tractor-trail} trucks hung up on gu>d rails1 c>s hav+ plung$ d{n rav9es1 & ev5 ! clo!s (a util;y "w} hang+ f a la4} t l$ 6! top (a li<t pole4
  ,ryan1 wi%$ 8 "m 0 home1 b he didn't ?9k he cd sp1k ev5 if "s"o 0 "! 6li/54 ,? cdn't 2 r1l6 ,he *ang$ *annels & f.d ! same ?+ on e "o4 ,p 7 urg$ 6/ay 9 _! homes z l;g z !y 7 safe1 & 6/ay tun$ = m 9=m,n4 ,ryan tri$ ,raymie's ph"o ag & r1*$ only ! answ}+ ma*9e4 ,he did n l1ve a message4 ,lat}1 if he d>$1 he wd walk d{n 6! ,/eele home & see :at 0 go+ on4 ,he wond}$ if any"o he knew _h 4appe>$4
  ,ryan tri$ 8 "m's c> ph"o4 ,x rang & rang1 b no "o answ}$4 ,he didn't get t usual record+ ab ! cell ph"o cu/om} hav+ driv5 |tside ! s}vice >ea or alr 2+ on ! ph"o1 s he knew he 0 gett+ "?4 ,x wasn't l 8 "m 6l1ve ! ph"o 9 ! c> if %e wasn't "!1 & %e alw left x on :5 %e _h x ) h}4 ,ryan cdn't figure x |1 & n{ he 0 re,y worri$4
  ,he f.d a /,n t li/$ all ! cra%es ( planes t _h be5 due 96,o',h>e t morn+4 ,8 "f _h be5 -+ 9 f ,asia1 : 0 all he knew4 ,"o (! cra%$ planes 0 -+ f "!1 b ,ryan didn't "k ! "t or ! numb} or ev5 ! airl9e4 ,he j hop$ ag/ hope 8 "f _h n be5 on t plane4
  ,news helicopt}s %{$ sc5es f abv ,o',h>e ": big jets 7 p>k$ up & d{n ! runways4 ,p walk$ f ! planes z f> z two miles 6! t}m9al1 & once "!1 x 0 ne>ly impossi# = !m 6get | (! airport4 ,tra6ic gridlock$ ! road t l$ 96& | (! airport4 ,ryan wat*$ z ?|s&s ( /r&$ pass5g}s walk$ "? ! zigza7$ c>s & d{n ! ov}passes & exits until !y f.d taxis & lim|s9es t wd c>ry !m t{>d _! homes1 if !y cd make x "? ! tangl$ mess4
  ,"s": | "! ,ryan's "m 0 ei try+ 6get 6,o',h>e 6le>n "s news ab h} husb&'s fli<t1 or %e _h alr pick$ hm up & 0 try+ 6make h} way home4 ,f :at ,ryan cd see on ! news1 he didn't expect h} =a l;g "t4 ,he dial$ & redial$ h} cell ph"o numb}1 b %e n"e answ}$4 ,he hop$ ) all 8 mi<t x 0 j "p (! -munic,ns br1kd{n caus$ 0 s _m p 4appe>+4
  ,ryan grew panicky1 una# 6r1* any"o 0ph"o & n hav+ any idea :e!r 8 p>5ts 7 safe4 ,he hat$ 6?9k 8 "m mi<t try 6call hm :ile he 0 g"o1 b he _h 6get | ( "!4 ,he _h 6get 6,raymie's h|se & see :at 0 go+ on4
  ,ryan tri$ 8 "m ag1 !n ,raymie's l9e4 ,/ j ! ma*9e4 ,he hung up & ran f ! h|se1 d{n ! block1 & 6! $ge ( ,raymie's prop}ty4 ,p 7 |tside _! homes1 talk+ ) nei<bors4 ,_m 7 cry+4 ,!y wat*$ z he approa*$ ! front por* (! ,/eele home4 ,he didn't want 6appe> 6be up 6any?+1 s he j sat on ! front /ep z if wait+ = 8 fr1 until p seem$ 6=get ab hm4
  ,ryan 0 go+ 6r+ ! bell :5 he r1liz$ ! drapes 7 op51 ! door 0 unlock$1 & x /ood op5 ab an 9*4 ,"! 0 no c> 9 ! driveway1 b "s"o m/ h be5 home4 ,he slipp$ 9side 6! bitt} smell ( burnt c(fee4 ,he tipto$ 96! kit*5 & saw ! c(feepot 9 ! s9k1 / hot4
  ,ryan knew "s"o 0 home1 b :o8 ,he op5$ ! door t l$ 6! g>age4 ,only ,mr4 ,/eele's ,,bmw 0 miss+4 ,mrs4 ,/eele's c> 0 "!1 & s 0 ! "o ,raymie's si/} drove :5 %e 0 home4 ,raymie's f|r-:eel} 0 "!1 ( c|rse1 & 8 sn{mobile & 8 bike4 ,s :o 0 "h & :o wasn't8 ,he *eck$ ! hall closet ": ,raymie's "f's tr5* coat1 fli<t bag1 & cap 7 /or$4 ,capta9 ,/eele 0 suppos$ 6h be5 on "s l;g trip 6,5gl& or "s":4
  ,ryan tipto$ up/airs 6! b$rooms1 pa/ a bun* ( family photos on ! walls4
  ,raymie's door 0 %ut4 ,ryan knock$ li<tly4 ,no answ}4 ,he pu%$ ! door op54 ,raymie's ni<tclo!s 7 9 a n1t pile on ! b$1 & ,ryan look$ 5vi|sly at ! picture on ! b$side ta# ( ,mr4 ,/eele 9 uni=m ne> 8 plane4
  ,z ,ryan left ,raymie's room1 he held 8 br1?4 ,he he>d "s?+ -+ f ! ma/} b$room suite4 ,:at 0 x8 ,"s"o 0 home6
  ,f ! hall1 ,ryan cd see all ! way 96! suite4 ,"!1 ly+ face d{n on ! b$1 8 uni=m 9 a pile on ! floor 2s hm1 0 ,raymie's dad4 ,he appe>$ 6be sleep+1 except t 8 %|ld}s h1v$ z if he 7 cry+4 ,ryan didn't d>e 4turb hm4 ,he slipp$ back d{n ! hall1 d{n ! /airs1 & h1d$ = home4
  ,ryan _h a s9k+ feel+ z he 5t}$ 8 quiet h|se4 ,he turn$ on ! ,,tv & saw li/s ( p :o _h be5 on bo>d ! fli<ts t cra%$ on _! way 6,o',h>e4 8,we rep1t10 ! ann|nc} sd1 8x has n"e be5 |r policy 6rel1se "ns ( miss+ or presum$-d1d pass5g}s 2f next ( k9 c 2 notifi$4 ,h{"e1 ) s* massive trag$ies &! impossibil;y ( local law 5=ce;t ag5cies 2+ a# 6keep up )! grisly busi;s ( 9=m+ families1 we h be5 ask$ 6make ~! "ns public z ta/e;lly z possi#4 ,rememb}1 if "s"o y "k appe>s on ~! li/s1 x m1ns only t !y held res}v,ns on ~! fli<ts & t _! ":abs >e curr5tly un"kn40
  ,ryan cov}$ 8 eyes & peek$ "? 8 f+}s z ! "ns sl{ly scroll$ by4 ,he recogniz$ "o z ! "f (a fr ( his4 ,ano!r "o or two look$ famili>1 & all he cd d 0 wond} h{ _m1 frs _h lo/ family memb}s4 ,!n he saw 8 dad's "n1 & he bur/ 96te>s4
  ,he turn$ (f ! ,,tv & %ook 8 h1d4 ,x cdn't be4 ,he tri$ 6make hmf 2lieve t 8 dad _h "sh{ surviv$ & wd 2 call+ hm4 ,b t wasn't go+ 6happ51 & he knew x4 ,x wd 2 j he & 8 mom n{4 ,did %e "k @ alr8 ,"! 0 no message li<t bl9k+ on ! answ}+ ma*9e4 ,maybe %e want$ 6tell hm 9 p}son4 ,maybe %e didn't ev5 "k yet6
  ,he dial$ h} cell ph"o = :at seem$ ! hundr$? "t4 ,x rang & rang1 & f9,y "s"o answ}$4 ,x 0 a gruff male voice4 8,hello6 ,:o's ?80
  8,? is ,ryan ,daley1 & ,i ?"| ,i 0 dial+ my "m's cell ph"o40
  8,uh1 y >e1 son1 if yr "m's full "n is1 ah1 ,m>jorie ,l|ise ,daley40
  8,": >e y80
  8,:o is ?80
  8,i'm sorry1 son4 ,? is ,s}g1nt ,flanigan1 ,des ,pla9es police40
  8,:at happ5$8 ,is my mom all "r80
  8,i'm afraid %e's n1 ,ryan4 ,"! 0 a gas-ma9 l1k we didn't "k ab1 & x blew :ile s"eal c>s 7 9 an 9t}sec;n "h4 ,yr "m's be5 tak5 6,lu!ran ,g5}al 9 ,p>k ,ridge4 ,y "k ": t is80
  8,no1 sir40
  8,well1 x's--jes' a m9ute1 son'''',y1h1 ,,ok'''',li/51 ,ryan1 y h frs or relatives "! t c look af y =a :ile80
  ,ryan want$ 6blurt t he _h j se5 8 dad's "n on a li/ ( air cra% victims1 b he didn't4 8,:y80
  8,son1 ,i hate l "ey?+ 6tell y ? ov} ! ph"o1 b yr "m didn't make x4 ,! c.ty morgues >e full1 s "o is 2+ set up at ,ma9e ,ea/ ,hi< ,s*ool 9 ,p>k ,ridge1 n f> f ! hospital4 ,y'll want 6get "s"o 6get y ov} "h 9 a "d or two = id5tific,n1 b don't try 6-e "r away40
  ,ryan cdn't sp1k4 ,s}g1nt ,flanigan apologiz$ ag4 8,i'm sorry1 son4 ,y're sure y've got "s"o "! 6take c>e ( y80
  ,b ,ryan hung up4 ,0 x possi# t ! p :o _h 2liev$ 9 ,jesus _h be5 tak5 6h1v51 j l ,raymie _h tri$ 6tell hm8 ,he & 8 p>5ts & ,capta9 ,/eele _h be5 left 2h1 b n{ bo? 8 p>5ts 7 d1d4 ,:at 0 he go+ 6d8
  ,ryan _h no idea1 b he 0 go+ 6try "o ?+4 ,raymie's *ur* 0 less ?an a mile away4 ,ryan wasn't 9 a hurry4 ,he j want$ 6walk & ?9k & cry4 ,if any"o 0 left at t *ur*1 ,ryan mi<t 2 a# 6f9d "s help4
