Screaming at the Water

*based on the March 11,2011 Japan Tsunami & Earthquake.

As Yoko and I walked back home from school, we heard the audible sound of the tsunami alert. People along the streets came out from their houses--with babies and children in tow--and started to run to the nearest evacuation area. Yoko and I joined the crowd and held hands to facilitate finding each other in the moving bodies of people.

I heard a sound. A rush of water not so far away. The group began to panic. There was a cry from an old lady behind me. Wailing from a baby. The adults' voice trembling as they told their children to hush. And as the panic surged, the crowd scattered in different places leaving us in the path of the preceding flood of water--with no evidence of decelerating. Time was crucial.

I ran to the nearest tree, Yoko behind me, and quickly began to climb.

" Wait for me!" Yoko shrieked as she struggled getting her legs on the branches.

The tsunami was nearing us, fearing for my best friend's life, I extended my arm and shouted,"Grab on!"

And just as her hand touched my palm, just as her fingers gripped my wrist, a great colour of azure slammed against Yoko out of the tree like a bowling pin.

I screamed Yoko's name, searching the deluge of water and copious amounts of debris for any sign of her.I screamed till I felt a pang in my throat. I screamed till I didn't even know what I was screaming for; was I screaming for Yoko to emerge from the waters? Or was I screaming at the water, demanding why it had to wash my best friend away?