The Explosion

December 6, 1917

They ran as fast as they could to the school. They burst inside and found Larry peacefully mopping the floor. They ran up to him and yelled "Larry, some boats in the harbor were about to crash and they honked 3 times. What's going on?"

"3 boat horns means they're going to cra-."

BOOM!!

Windows shattered. They heard people screaming as the ground shook. It launched them across the room! Henry woke up to his dad screaming "Henry wake up!" He looked around and saw his mom and his uncle standing right next to his dad. "Dad, what happened?"

"We don't know but the best thing to do is go see what happened."

"Ok."

They exited the school and saw damaged buildings and people in a fuss. "What! What happened to my city?" exclaimed Larry.

 Then suddenly Larry started running towards the waterfront and the Petersons followed. "Larry, where are you going?"

"To see if my house is ok!" he said in a panic. A few minutes later they saw a family crying. The family stopped them and said "There's nothing left beyond this point." They were obviously very sad. Larry fell to his knees and started crying. Bill knelt down to help him. Then Larry said, "Why must this happen to me?" 

Someone in an army uniform came and said we need to evacuate in case there is another explosion. "What's going on?" Larry asked in confusion.

"I know just as much as you do."

"Ok."

They started walking and then Larry asked where they were going? "We are going to Point Pleasant Park."

"Ok." They walked for a little bit longer and then they saw another family standing and crying. The military man ran to see what was the matter. "Are you ok?" said the officer. "No, our house is gone," they said with a sad voice. "Are you missing anyone?"

"Yes, my 8 month old daughter. I don't know where she is." The officer knew he had to do something about this problem and said, "Ok, but I need to bring you and the rest of your family to safety."

"No! Not without my daughter!"

"Ok ma'am how about this, I'll bring you and your family back and then I'll look for your daughter. Is that ok?"

"Yes."

"Um I'm sorry for asking but did you see two boats collide?" Larry asked.

"Yes, two boats collided."

"Bill, those must have been the two boats that you saw."

"Ya, must have been." 

They kept on walking until they reached Point Pleasant Park. The officer told them to sit on the ground and wait for help. The Petersons were scared. They didn't know what to do. Around 4 hours later an older lady offered rooms in their house. 

The family walked up to the Petersons and said "Do you guys want to live with us for a little bit?"