Disastrous September – A Novel on 9/11 Terrorist Attacks Part-18

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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]

PART III: September 11, 2001 8:45 AM

As Besim finished cleaning the windows in Tower One, The fog lifted, revealing New York’s breathtaking view. Some tourists took pictures of the city; others photographed Besim working. As he gradually ascended to the 107th floor, where he would cover for Marko during his break, he noticed a plane flying lower than usual. He thought it might be on maneuvers or part of a show, or maybe the pilot was drunk. When he saw it was a large passenger jet, he knew something was amiss. Marko, too, aware something was wrong, waved and shouted at the pilot to alert him he was going in the wrong direction. But in vain. Seconds later, the plane hit the upper part of the building. The entire structure shook, and when Besim pressed the button to continue his ascent, he discovered the electricity had gone out, leaving him hanging outside the building. Marko gripped the rails, and as soon as the building had stopped shaking, he ran toward the elevators to help his friend. When he and the other tourists saw they weren’t working, they shouted, “Take the stairs! Take the stairs!” At that moment, the alarm sounded.

Seconds later, the plane hit the upper part of the building. The entire structure shook, and when Besim pressed the button to continue his ascent, he discovered the electricity had gone out, leaving him hanging outside the building

People said:

“Oh, my God, is it an earthquake?”

“No, I think a plane hit the building.”

“A plane? What was the pilot thinking?”

“God only knows.”

“Stop talking. We’ve got to save ourselves.”

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Photo courtesy: BBC

Overcome by thick, black smoke, people choked and coughed as they rushed down the stairs. On the 80th floor, Marko turned left. Many workers were amazed he wasn’t running down the stairs. He went in an office and saw Besim, attempting to escape from an escalator. Marko tried to break the window with a chair while Besim tried to break it with a cleaning mop. After Besim hit it a few times, the stick broke because the windows were thick. After Marko hit the window several times, it cracked, then shattered.

“Hand me the stick!” he shouted to Besim, who realized his friend was risking his life to save him.

Marko grabbed the stick with his right hand, and with his left hand, he tried to pull Besim into the office. After a few minutes, he managed to get him inside, but then, Besim cried out in pain.

“What’s the matter?” asked Marko.

“My leg,” said Besim. “I think I broke it.”

“Here, let me help you,” said Marko. “I got you.”

He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Besim put an arm around Marko’s shoulder and struggled down the stairs as people ran past. He was in so much pain he could not even touch the floor with his wounded foot let alone walk.

“Come on, guys!” people shouted. “You’re taking up too much room on the stairs!”

They pushed Marko and Besim out of their way.

“Hold on to me, Besim,” said Marko.

“It’s no use. I can’t! Just leave me and save yourself.”

“Never. I won’t leave you, my friend!”

“Why you weren’t in the other building like you usually are this time of day?” asked Besim with sadness.

Another plane had just hit the second tower, which immediately caught fire.

“Well, it is what it is,” said Marko. “Let’s get out of here as quickly as we can.”

As they continued down the stairs, they looked out the window. Another plane had just hit the second tower, which immediately caught fire. The building shook again, and Besim squeezed Marko.

“I guess it wasn’t the pilot’s fault the plane hit the towers,” said Marko.

“I guess not,” said Besim. “This attack appears to have been planned.”

“But who on earth would have done such a thing? Al Qaeda?”

“It has to be. I can’t think of anyone else capable of this kind of attack.”

Smoke-flames-twin-towers-attacks-World-Trade-September-11-2001
Photo courtesy: Britannica

More and more people, panicking and trying to save their lives, came down the stairs. As they ran, they pushed Besim and Marko. Marko eventually lost his balance. He and Besim fell and hit the metal grill. Besim hit his head hard, and his face was soon covered with blood. He bit his lip to suppress a scream. Marko jumped to his feet and tried to grab Besim, but Besim smiled and said, “It’s too late. If you want to save yourself, leave me and run as fast as you can. That way, you’ll still have a chance to avoid the flames that must be spreading on the lower floors.”

“No!” cried Marko, as tears rolled down his cheeks.”

“Marko, do you remember how it took me over three hours to get down from this building in 1993? I had no one to lean on like I do today. But this time is different. I am weak, so go on, save yourself.”

Besim’s words sounded like an order. Marko cried as Besim grabbed his arm and bid him farewell. He embraced his friend and turned around, but Besim shouted, “Go, Marko, just go!”

Read: Impact of 9/11 on American Muslims

In the midst of the chaos, Besim took out his cell phone.

Marta was getting ready for work when the phone rang. She answered it and was surprised to hear Besim’s voice. He didn’t normally call that time of day.

“Marta, are you alone? Is Trim with you?”

“He’s in his room. Why?”

“I need you to be strong. The Twin Towers were attacked, and Al Qaeda is likely responsible.”

Marta almost cried.

“I just told you to be strong, didn’t I?”

She bit her lip.

“Now listen carefully.”

Besim told her what happened. Marta bit her lip after every heart-breaking word and tried her best not to scream or cry.

“I won’t say anything to Trim yet,” she said.

Suddenly, she felt two small hands grab her from behind.

“Mommy, I just saw on the news the Twin Towers are on fire,” said Trim.  “Are you talking to Dad?”

The towers are on fire and will collapse any time. Only the people on the lower floors have a chance.

Marta searched for the right words to say to her son. All at once, Trim grabbed the phone out of her hand and started talking to his father.

“Dad, you named me Trim, which means brave. I am and always will be as brave as my name. Are you in the Twin Towers?”

“Yes, Son. I am in Tower One,” said Besim, caught off guard.

“We’re coming to save you,” said Trim.

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AP Photo

“It’s no use, Son. The towers are on fire and will collapse any time. Only the people on the lower floors have a chance. I just hope Uncle Rrok will escape. You must be strong like your mother.”

Trim could no longer hold back the tears.

“Come on, Trim!  You just promised me you’d be strong.”

Trim instinctively grabbed his mother’s hand. He wanted to go to the Twin Towers as quickly as possible to save his father. He hoped for a miracle. He felt like he was in a dream.

“All right, Dad,” he said, wiping his tears with his hand. “I’ll try.”

Although he was young, he was mature enough to understand the situation.

“Listen carefully,” Besim continued. “In a few days, you and your mother are going back to Kosovo, to my hometown of Prizren.  Kosovo will be independent soon.”

“Yes, Kosovo will be independent, maybe sooner than we think.”

“It’s incredibly beautiful.  There are majestic mountains like Bjeshket e Nemura with Gjeravica the highest peak; the green fields of Fushe Kosove; crystal clear rivers like the Drin, the longest in the region; the lovely lakes in the Sharr Mountains.”

“Yes, Dad.” Trim could barely speak. “You told me about these places many times, and I promise I will visit them and Gruda, where Mom was born. Dad, can you hear me? Dad?”

No answer. Marta grabbed the phone.

“Besim, Besim!” she cried, but heard only loud noises and screams. (Continues)

Click here for Part-1Part-2Part-3Part-4Part-5Part-6Part-7Part-8Part-9Part-10Part-11Part-12Part-13Part-14Part-15Part-16, Part-17

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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]

Read: MEDITATION FOR TIME…

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