<11:56 PM>

I've never prayed before today.

I was early as I walked down Broadway on my way to my 9:30 class. When I first saw the cloud of smoke billowing out of an unknown building, a passerby echoed my sentiments:

"That's a big ass cloud of smoke."

Still unaware of the source of the fire, I continued on my way. Only then was I made aware of what was going on.

"A plane crashed into the World Trade Center."
"Oh shit..."
"You can see the crater in the side of the building..."

One of the most disturbing things I've ever seen was a building ripped apart, blazing with fire. I saw the crater in the side of the building. I was standing on the corner of Mercer St. and 3rd St., one amongst the crowd of more than 50.

I continued on to class: Database Management Systems. I wasn't aware that both towers were hit, I didn't know it was terrorism. Databases seemed important. Fifteen minutes into class, someone ran into the room.

"The tower just collapsed and the Pentagon was just attacked."

Simultaneously everyone jumped out of our seats and ran. Most seemed to not know where they were running to, but databases didn't seem quite as important anymore.

I knew exactly where I was running. Jenny was the only thing on my mind. She lives just a few blocks from ground zero, and did not plan to leave for class until after 10AM. I hurriedly pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, but it was useless. I ran outside only to hear the horrible cries of a thousand mourners.

Parents: Long Island. Brother: Uptown. Oh my God...Jenny. Where is Jenny? Is Jenny oK? raced through my mind. My thoughts were nightmares.

A phone, a phone, my kingdom for a phone. All I wanted to do was find out if she was safe. Payphones had lines that wrapped around corners. Most cellular networks were out of commision. I fell to my knees.

I ran into one of the dorms to check out the latest news. Nothing but smoke, dust, and horror. But at last, I found a glimmer of hope. A sign was posted saying residents of downtown dorms were being evacuated into Coles, the NYU sports complex.

My foot was already bleeding from my uncomfortable shoes, but I ran as fast as I could. As I raced to the gym, I prayed. I've never prayed before today.

The gym was filled with people waiting for their friends and others watching the horrific chain of events unfold on the television. The downtown refugees had not arrived yet, so I sat in painful silence.

When the news announced the collapsing of the second tower, the entire room ran out into the street to watch as a landmark fell to its grave. I could not believe what I was seeing. The skyline will never be the same.

The TV at Coles eventually losts its reception, so I scurried around the campus looking for Jenny. People were grieving in the streets. I wanted to comfort the people who burst into tears after hearing from others about the fate of their loved ones. I wanted to be comforted.

My feet hurt too much to move anymore. I hurried back home to get my rollerblades so that I could more effectively transport myself around the campus. The walk home was awful. Ten blocks of fear.

I saw Nick as I walked up to the door of my building. He told me the news I needed to hear.

"Jenny's safe upstairs."

I ran up to my room as fast as I could. When I burst through the door, Brian was there, pointing me to my room. I walked in and saw her there - scared and waiting for me. My fears had calmed, but the day was far from over.

AOL was the only form of contact I had with the outside world. I was bombared by my loving friends, all concerned for my safety. Thank you Sean and Gerry for contacting my family when my I could not reach them. Thank you Harish and Chris and Tom and Laura and Poonam and Jessica and Dana and Derek and Alice and Hiranya and Sue and Ranjani and Dave and all of the rest of you who cared so much. Thank you all.

Never will I forget the sites of the "second Pearl Harbor." Today was the scariest day of my life. The city that never sleeps finally went to bed.