Nayeli stood in line at the post office, rocking back and forth in place. It was a good thing she wasn’t in a hurry. It was a long line, filled with people trying to get errands done over the lunch hour.

Another post office employee came up to the counter. Instead of waving the next person up in line, he cleared his throat and spoke loudly. “We have a suspicious package on the premises. The bomb squad is on their way. Please evacuate the building.”

Before he was finished speaking, people had turned and were heading quickly toward the exit. Nayeli stepped back against the wall, letting people pass. She glanced toward the backroom. Maybe there was some way she could help.

The employee who had made the announcement saw her. “Miss, we need you to leave…” An explosive noise of concrete and steel slammed through the building. Nayeli was thrown back.

It was eerily quiet other than the loud ringing in her ears. Nayeli blinked her eyes open. Dust permeated the air. She tried to move. Something pinned her to the floor. She heard someone groaning nearby.

Nayeli scanned the concrete and steel around her. There! She could see him through a small gap. What she could see of him was covered in blood. “Hey!” He didn’t respond. She needed to get to him. She squeezed her eyes shut. There wasn’t much time.

Sign up to receive a monthly email here.