It was night, yet the city was brightly illuminated. Not of lights but of fire. Asad looked all around him. Flames had engulfed the homes lining the street as far as he could see. He came to his own, the roof had collapsed as well as the walls and a pillar of white smoke was rising into the atmosphere. Asad knew no one had survived. He fell to his knees and pounded the ground with clenched fists. He wondered, why? Why did this happen? How can complete strangers, people I don't even know, hate us so much?

Now was his time. It was time to avenge the deaths of his mother, brothers, sisters, and countless countrymen who died that night. His target was in sight. He would be the first on this day to sacrifice himself for the cause. Vengeance is sweet. He closed his eyes and let centrifugal force take over as the plane crashed.

Ben had been watching in terror at the events on the news. Horrified he watched hoping for some sign that his brother and father were still alive. Then, the tower collapsed. Ben watched as story after story crumbled to the ground. He knew they were dead. He placed his head in his hands and wept. He wondered, why? Why did this happen? How could people I've never met hate us so much?

It was his time now. Ben took a look at his photo of himself with brother and father. Remembered all the good times they had. Then he remembered that day and his nerves turned to steel. He strapped on his oxygen mask and began the descent.

Khalil was on his way home when he heard a noise. He turned his head to see four giant planes flying overhead. They headed directly towards his home. While they flew over he could see tiny black dots falling from the planes, and then, explosions. The entire village lighted up. Khalil ran to his home. It was completely decimated. He stumbled backward. When he sat up, all he could see was flames, smoke, and the same four planes rising higher into the air. All he could think was, why?