Pompeii : The Last Day
It was like any other day, average. But I never thought it would be my last day. I woke to the singing of birds and fresh grapes by my bedside that David had already picked. Since William had gone over seas David and Carlos had helped me more than ever. I had a delightful breakfast with the sun on my face and Carlos fanning me so my make up would not run. I didn't have many plans for the day so I thought I would make an appearance at the small market on the east side of the city. I had been told by Maria earlier on in the week that a jewellery stall had been opened and that I must go see the pure gold bangles. They were so beautiful that I couldn't help myself, I brought three. William will not be happy with the amount of money I spent on them but I'm sure he will understand how lonely I have been without him. The sun was nearly in the middle of the sky when I left the market to go home to have lunch. David had arranged some figs and bread for my lunch. I was feeling hot and bothered so I sat inside and let Carlos and David have a break. I was half way through my lunch when I heard gasps from David and Carlos on the balcony. They called my name quickly and I rushed out to see the most amazing thing my eyes have seen. Mount Vesuvius had smoke shooting out the top. It was so clear to see because my balcony looks straight across the small stretch of water to Mount Vesuvius. The smoke was thick and fast. It was getting higher and higher and then it started to drop down, it was surrounding Vesuvius and coming closer to Pompeii. My eyes were so set on the action I didn't see David and Carlos rush around the house for my sake. I was frozen; I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Carlos came to me, and told me we must leave instantly. It was then that I realised the smoke was heading for us, and such a large, thick amount would affect us. Everything happened so quickly from then on, I noticed David holding my most precious belongings, my money, my jewellery and my letter from my mother. Carlos, with more urgency in his voice told me we must leave. He grabbed my wrist and we ran. When we left the house small rocks began to fall from the sky, not rain, but rocks. I had never experienced something like this. The rocks got heavier and the faster I was pulled along. I saw people hurt on the sides of the streets, people screaming and children crying. I felt for them, I really did, but we had to keep going. After running for quite some time I realised where we were going. My father had built a small boat that was given to William and I as a wedding present. We had left it hidden down by the shore which was exactly where we were heading. The rocks continued and started to hurt a lot more, I looked down at the ground only for a short time to see how big the rocks were getting when I stumbled and fell. Carlos stopped and picked me up into his arms in one movement. He was cradling me like baby and running along the shore to my father's creation. When we reached the boat Carlos put me down, helped David untie the rope and put the boat into the water. Carlos came back and scooped me up in his arms again and put us both into the boat. I sat in the middle of my two loyal servants while they used all their strength to push the oars over the rough waves. As we got out further I could see the people of Pompeii, screaming and crying out to us. I have never felt so guilty. Those people didn't have a chance, the smoke was coming, rocks falling and here I was with a chance to live. Some people jumped into the water and tried to swim after us, but Carlos and David showed no signs of stopping for them. The smoke was strong and it stung my eyes, I put my head down not only to protect myself but to cry. The tears flowed from the pain and guilt I was feeling. What sort of person am I to ignore those suffering people? Am I even human from doing so? I only put my head up when Carlos picked me up out of the boat. After rowing so far over such rough seas he still had the strength to pick me up and run. I owe him so much. David still had my treasures and was running a little ahead of us. All of a sudden the air got hot, the smoke thick and the hope in our hearts faded. I told Carlos to stop, he put me down and I looked back at the city I once lived in, it was gone. Black was all we could see. David came over to us and we all stared at the place we used to love. The smoke was beginning to surround us and we lost all faith, we gave up then and there. I grabbed onto the bravest people I had ever met and held onto them. I told them I loved them and that I was not only grateful for the sacrifices they had just made for me but for everything they have ever done, for their courage. My throat was sore and the smoke entered into my body. My knees gave way and I fell to the ground, Carlos and David tried to hold me up but it only brought the three of us down. My eyes could no longer see, and my throat could bare not another word, I drew a deep, painful breath as my last.
By Tayla Christie
