The Harbor Sinking

I awoke suddenly to somebody shaking me and the sound of someone calling my name like a siren. Startled, I thrashed in the sheets of my makeshift cot. Being an American Navy soldier, I was used to the old rickety “bed” and calm sway of the boat; but because it was early in my career, and I was only a cadet, waking up to alarming noises and motions still shocked me. 

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” I gasped as the strange person stopped shaking me. When my eyes adjusted, I found Jacob Harrison, a fellow cadet, staring back at me with wide eyed fear and concern.

“Look I know you just got off night shift and all, but somethings wrong Sean Clay.” He rushed to get the words out, “I overheard the Captain talking to a few privates about ten minutes ago, saying something about unregistered aircraft nearby. He thinks it's just the US planes, but what if, because of the war, somebodys attacking.” I rolled my eyes and groaned. He was always paranoid that something was going to happen. Harrison was always worried he was under attack.

“Look Harrison, it’s only,” I checked my watch, “7:55 in the morning. I’m asleep. Go bother somebody else with your worrying, please. And how many times have i asked you to stop calling me by both of my names. Anyways, trust me, nothing is going to happen to-'' I was cut off abruptly by a loud series of crashes and far away explosion, “Pearl Harbor?” I bolted upright just as the alarms started sounding. The room flashed red and Harrison and I looked at each other in deadly terror. My adrenaline and fear took over my heavy exhaustion. We knew immediately what was happening, and what to do. Harrison and I sprinted to the deck.

As soon as we got there, we were handed rifles and a Lieutenant was shouting orders. My head was fuzzy because of the steadily rising panic. I couldn't think straight through the fear that we were really under attack. America is neutral territory. We aren't part of the war. I thought. Why would another country involve us. 

“Clay! Get to your station. C’mon we gotta go man.” Harrison was howling through the chaos, pulling me alongside him. I seemed to come out of my trance at the sound of his voice. We had been friends long before we were placed in the same cadet patrol. We have known each other since middle school; when we befriended each other because the others bullied us. “C’mon Sean.” he muttered as we rounded a corner and joined others of our rank. 

Us and the others got into a defensive position; ready to take down any threat at a moments notice. I could tell everyone was as nervous and trembling as I was. As ships near us were burning, we tried to compose ourselves and focus on the task at hand. Why are they attacking American ships? Who is attacking American ships. We sat there for about an hour, waiting for something to happen, restlessly. I knew I would definitely regret it, but I turned to look at the already on fire ships. They were almost completely defenseless. Pearl Harbor was almost completely defenseless. I was growing irritated with the lack of information we were given. 

“Clay turn around. What are you looking at?” he turned and noticed what I was staring at. “Is that the Arizona? It's sinking. Isn't Adam on that ship? What if he's hurt? Sean?” he whispered faster than the speed of light. He was always panicking about his brother's safety. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I didn't have the heart to tell him what we both already knew. Just as I looked at him, what felt like an earthquake knocked me off my feet. 

The explosion was so loud it left my ears ringing. I lifted my hands to my ears and closed my eyes as tight as possible. Something warm and wet dripped onto my hand. I must've hit my head when I fell. I moved my hands along my head, gingerly, to locate the wound. When I found it I winced. It was about two inches long and gushing blood.

I had a pounding headache and my vision was blurry. I opened my eyes and saw nothing but smoke. I need to get off this boat. Now. I thought as I  remembered what was happening. Wheres Harrison. And Adam. I tried to stand up quickly and fell over again. I was extremely dizzy and my ears were still ringing. I crawled to a wall and used it to help me stand.  I need to find them. With one hand on the wall, and one on the cut on my head, I slowly made my way from the chaos. Torn between helping my friends, helping my country, and saving myself, I decided to go to the side railing of the boat to calm myself. What I saw was defistating. So many people were in the water dying, or dead. 

There he was adam. He had full gear and armor on; he was struggling to swim. Without a second thought, I flung myself over the railing and into the water. Adam saw me and began frantically waving me down. I begam swimming as fast as I could, but the dizzy, heavy feeling of the gash in my head was slowing me down. My vision was getting even fuzzier at the edges and I stopped hearing. I don't care, save him. My conscience screamed at me. You have to. I knew I couldn't but i had to try.I began to give up, letting the once calm sway of the ocean push me towards him. 

Suddenly, a massive wave pushed me sideways and under. I couldnt breath; I knew I would drown at this point. I struggled to breath and push to the surface. My limbs felt heavy and my lungs burned from lack of oxygen. My eyes stung from the salt water. Still I tried. Harrison always told me I would die a hero, fighting until the end.