I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

Barry awakes to the sound of Cruz barking frantically. The house seems to be rocking and swaying, and Barry runs to join Cruz at the edge of the house that has been torn away, revealing a large helicopter flying low overhead. Barry waves, calling out to the helicopter, and for a moment, he thinks that the helicopter will rescue them. The helicopter hovers for a few moments before beginning to fly away, leaving Barry and Cruz stranded. Barry fights back tears but stops when the force of the helicopter’s wings pushes Cruz into the water.

Barry looks over the edge of the house, searching for Cruz in the water, until he sees him tangled up in a pile of tree branches and wooden planks. Barry debates whether he should jump into the water, knowing that sharp objects are floating in it, but he decides to ease himself into the water to save Cruz. Barry makes his way to Cruz, holding onto a floating board, and pulls Cruz free, assuring him that they are okay even though Barry knows they are in imminent danger. Chemicals in the water begin to burn Barry’s skin, and he knows that they cannot make it back into the house.