Disastrous September – A Novel on 9/11 Terrorist Attacks Part-17

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Front Cover Disastrous September

In memory of the 2981 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, among them three Albanians

[Disastrous September, by the Albanian-American author, Skifter Këlliçi, takes place on two different days: May 10 and September 11, 2001. The novel tells the story of a well-known CNN reporter named Steve Ferguson, engaged to Jacqueline Cramer, a flight attendant based at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, the novel explores the lives of four Albanians. Besim Istrefi, Rrok Camaj, and Marko Muzaka worked as window washers in the Twin Towers. Sokol Kama, a journalist and writer, works in security at Logan International Airport. On September 11, 2001 just a few days before Steve and Jacqueline’s wedding, two planes, bound for Los Angeles, depart from Boston. Terrorists hijack them and crash them into the Twin Towers in New York. The author, who worked at Logan International Airport during the attacks, offers a gripping account of the tragedy and shows how it could have been avoided.]

By SKIFTER KELLICI

[Translated from the Albanian by Carrie Hooper]

Abdul sighed. He looked at the passengers in front of him, and they stared back at him and the other terrorists. Although they were scared, their eyes shone with the hope everything would soon return to normal. Abdul came to himself when Greta attempted to break free.

“A demon has possessed you,” said Satem. “Muhammad was right to doubt you. You are going to die, and on Judgment Day, I will make sure you end up in hell.”

Marvan contacted Muhammad.

“Brother Muhammad,” he exclaimed, “we took control of the other plane and are flying right behind you toward the Twin Towers, where Jaser is waiting for us!”

Marvan was proud to be part of the Al Qaeda soldiers who had promised to destroy the West in general and America in particular.

2011summer_9-11-looking-back-looking-ahead_1920x1080“The time has come for us to go to heaven, to enter the world of immortality,” he thought. “We deserve it. We gave our word to bin Laden, Allah’s messenger, came to America, and learned how to fly. We will inflict wounds which will never heal. Yes, Professor Perkins, at the University of Hamburg, you taught us about the world’s fascination with American architecture, characterized by tall buildings with many floors. You even showed us the amazing design of the Twin Towers and introduced me to the blond architect, whom I wished would have fallen in love with me so I could have made her life miserable. You were passionate about your subject and said Americans designed the best buildings. But, kind sir, you forgot about ancient Arab architecture with its beautiful Mosques. Do you think one day Europe and the rest of the world will dominate us just as part of Europe once made up part of the Arabian Caliphate of Baghdad? Just you wait, the Twin Towers are about to become the largest graveyard known to man.”

The plane was not flying into any of the airports in New York, but perhaps it would land in Philadelphia. However, it soon became clear it was charging toward the buildings in downtown Manhattan. At 8:45 AM, Jacqueline said, “We are flying into one of the Twin Towers.”

The plane flew below the clouds, and the passengers had a breathtaking view of New York City. They could see the Statue of Liberty as well as the gigantic Twin Towers.

An inner voice said to Abdul, “I feel bad for you! You and your Muslim friends are not going to heaven.” At the same time, Abdul could hear bin Laden cursing him and putting spells on him: “Your wife and your son are going to hell, you hear me! The three of you are going to hell! You have betrayed our beautiful religion. You still have time to repay me and our brothers by killing every person on this plane.”

Read: TO SISTER LIRIDONA! – A Poem from Albania

While Abdul was processing these words, the other voice said, “You and your friends are going to die, and there’s no coming back. You are about to leave this world without saying good-bye to your wife and son, who is eager to meet you.”

Prompted by the voices in his head, Abdul pushed Greta away, ran into the cabin, and stabbed Muhammad twice in the throat.  While he screamed in agony, Abdul shouted at the passengers they weren’t flying back to Boston, but straight into the Twin Towers. They were going to die.

911OneDayInAmerica_Archival_01Muhammad realized Abdul had broken his promise to Allah and had therefore become an enemy. He wanted to take control of the plane, land it safely, and turn himself in to the authorities, for which he would serve the minimum sentence. Though blood gushed from his throat, Muhammad refused to relinquish the controls. He charged full speed ahead toward the first tower while Marvan headed for the second. Satem struck the back of Abdul’s head multiple times with the bottle until he collapsed and lay motionless on the floor. George, Amanda, and other passengers rushed to his side, but it was too late.  Incredulous, Jacqueline joined other passengers who were hitting and kicking the terrorists. Amid the commotion, she called Steve and told him the plane was not headed back to Boston. “God be with us,” she said.

The plane flew below the clouds, and the passengers had a breathtaking view of New York City. They could see the Statue of Liberty as well as the gigantic Twin Towers.

At that moment, Steve knew his life had changed forever. He had lost part of his soul. As he looked out the window, he could see a barely discernible, but fast approaching object on the horizon. A few seconds later, an airplane whizzed by. Jacqueline had been right. The plane was not flying into any of the airports in New York, but perhaps it would land in Philadelphia. However, it soon became clear it was charging toward the buildings in downtown Manhattan. At 8:45 AM, Jacqueline said, “We are flying into one of the Twin Towers.”

“Where are you?” Steve asked. “Jacqueline?”

He would never hear her voice again. (Continues)

Click here for Part-1Part-2Part-3Part-4Part-5Part-6Part-7Part-8Part-9Part-10Part-11Part-12Part-13Part-14Part-15, Part-16

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About the Author

Skifter Kellici -Albanian-American writerSkifter Këllici was born in Tirana, Albania and received a diploma in history and literature from the University of Tirana. He worked as a journalist, scholar, and sportscaster on radio and television. He is the author of several novels and nonfiction books, including the children’s books, “Memories of the Old Neighborhood” and “In the Footsteps” as well as the historical novels, “Assassination in Paris”, “The Murderer with the White Hands”, and “September Disaster.” He wrote the screenplay for “In the Footsteps” which won a special prize at the International Children’s Film Festival in Giffoni, Italy in 1979. He has lived in Boston, Massachusetts since 1999.

About the Translator

Carrie Hooper was born and raised in Elmira, New York. She has been blind since birth. She received a B.A. in vocal performance from Mansfield University, Mansfield, Pennsylvania.  She went on to receive an M.A. in German and an M.A. in vocal performance from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  After completing her studies, she spent a year at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden as a Fulbright scholar. Carrie currently lives in Elmira, New York. She taught German, Italian, and Romanian at Elmira College.  She has a passion for foreign languages and in addition to the languages mentioned above, she is also proficient in Swedish, Spanish, and Albanian.  Music also plays an important role in Carrie’s life.  She teaches voice and piano lessons, gives vocal concerts, plays the piano and organ at a church, and sings in a community chorus. Carrie not only loves music and languages, but also enjoys poetry.  She has published three books: “Piktura në fjalë” (“Word Paintings”), a bilingual collection of poetry (Albanian-English), “My Life in My Words”, and “Away from Home.”  She has also translated texts from Albanian and Romanian to English.

[The book ‘Disastrous September is being reproduced in episodes with the consent of the author]

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