3

I ran with my sister crying in my arms away from the blaze. Everything around me is tunneled. In combat tunnel vision is something you didn't want but it was something happening to me. We were downtown and everyone was running. Then that feeling of the air thickened again, I stopped and change direction and heard another explosion. I held on tighter to my sister and ran the streets I grew up in and found a way out of the French quarter. I was bumped into all sides and only held tighter to my sister. I'll be damned if I lose her. I didn't look back for the chance to see more fire and possibly limps on the ground and people bleeding out.

I thought after leaving the battlefield I wouldn't see this again. I wouldn't hear IEDs going off, bullets flying from one side, hearing people scream. Smelling burnt flesh water my eyes but I refused to let it show. I did 15 months of this in a forging country and yet when I'm home its completely different. Holding onto my sister and not knowing if our parents are behind us gives it a different feeling. The feelings of thick air around me never faded, it only grew, and it consume me. Fear overrule my training and drove me to run faster and faster.

Avery held tighter around my neck and yell when any loud nose went off. I shook with anger and fear as this was happening in our home. My body was moving on its own and all I could think about was keeping Avery safe. I continue to run even after the loud cracking sounds were over until there weren't any more bodies in crowded streets to hold me back from running my full gait. Even out of breath I push myself past my limits for the sake of my sister. My lungs burning from the wet Louisiana air I finally stop to gather my thoughts and look at my surrounding area. Looking around I saw the billboards for Dillard University. "How long was a running for?' I asked myself, still holding on tightly to my little sister. From the distance I can still hear yelling and see the bright fire behind us, hearing the sirens in the fade background of the beat of my heart.

"Avery call out parents," I told her and started walking in the direction of our neighborhood. My heart was still pounding but I refuse to stop until we were miles away the French quarter area and hope our parents were okay. Walking with my sister in my arms ready to take off running if I have to, I listen to all the sounds around us. My mind went into overdrive and my body acted as if I was back in the dessert waiting, waiting for it to happen. Listening I wait for the sounds that will make me run for cover with my sister. But nothing came, it was the sounds of the city on fire not gunfire. With each scream and siren that the draft from the French quarter I hold onto my sister. With each red and blue light that lights up the area I duck for cover and us my body to shield her.

"Mom, hello, yes I'm with Maria we are staff we are near Dillard University… yeah… I'll tell her… ok mom". "I heard Avery talking to our mother. "Sis they are still in the quarter in a building people are fighting and someone bit dad" she tells me. I look at her in disbelief. "Damn it they need to leave that area, it's a hot zone now for people to go crazy and do dumb shit'" damnit I can't go back from them if I have Avery and I know they would want me to protect her first. I look Avery in the eyes, "you know they would want you safe no matter what right?" I ask her. She looks at me knowing what I was asking and shook her head. I felt her wrap her arms around me tighter and we continue walking home.

We walked along Gentilly Blvd until we got to Press Drive. We were almost home just two more miles, and I can figure out a plan to help get my parents out of the quarter and keep Avery safe. The area was quiet and somewhat calming, however, that didn't mean I was going to relax once we got home. Anything can go wrong, or the situation can get worst. Once I saw the church on the distance, I knew we were almost home and then I can get my head together to help save our parents. A few minutes later I walk up to our house and open the door. I finally release Avery and told her to pack a "Go Bag" like I showed her before I left the dessert 15 months ago. She rushes off and I went in search of a radio and my father gun safe. My father only had a six round revolver but that was better than nothing.

Suddenly my cellphone rings, it scares me slight, but I pick up. "Hello baby girl", I heard and before I response I hear my father voice continue, "don't come looking for us, the police got the area surround and the fire started to spread we almost made it out but we are okay take care of your sister everything is going to be-"the line got cut. "Hello!?" I said but nothing. I look out the window and hear something that push me back into my hot and sand cover uniform.

It was another explosion and I felt myself tense ready to run and to run to who other needed my help. I saw Conner on the floor by my feet and felt the heat of the fire blowing over my body as I put pressure on his chest and tell him that he's going to be alright. Then I turn to my right, and I saw my sister looking at me while the gun I held in my hands shook slightly, then I remember where I was and how I wasn't in uniform anymore. I closed my eyes and breath in and out to regain control over myself. "Hey kid I got a call from dad he said don't go looking for them that they will be safe and make it home," I told her and hostler the gun. She look at me again and said "ok" and we went upstairs to think about what the hell was going in our city.