Monday had to be one of the worst days of my life. I live in Boston and attend the Marathon every year to support the runners. This year was special to me as my friend was to run in the race. My friend had called me at 2:20 telling me he just passed mile marker 19 and would call again when he was a mile out.

I knew it would still take him a bit of time to get there so I hung out and chatted with my friend who had joined me near the finish line. This also happened to be her first year there and it was a mile stone for her as she is shy to the point of getting anxiety attacks in large crowds of unknown people.

I was literally 60 ft from the first explosion when it went off behind me. What they describe on the news as a bang like a cannon doesn't compare to what it actually sounded like. My ears are still ringing. Luckily i was not injured nor was my friend however she started to freak out due to the mass chaos that ensued. I was still in a state of shock. Then the second blast went off 80ft from me and i knew i needed to get my friend and myself out of there. I took her hand and we ran all the way to my former college Wentworth Institute of Technology which was at least 1/2 a mile to a mile away from the site. On the way i called my friend, quickly explained what had happened, and told him to meet me there as its chaos at the finish line. My friend proceeded to inform me that he was instead going to run and get blood from the local hospitals so as to help the injured that were already being evacuated. That touched me deeply and i wished him luck as i needed to keep my friend safe.

This incident rocked me to the core and after getting over the shock of what happened i felt contempt to the one who did this, sadness for the victims, and pride at all the first responders including my friend who went above and beyond to help all those he could.

All i am left with now is regret that i could not help the first responders attend to the victims in their time of need. It also pains me to say this as it is selfish but i am glad that both my friend and i are alive.

My thoughts go out to everyone else that was dragged into this tragedy and hope that they recover fully.

Allison Jolley