LONDON — When I saw the images of train stations I learned to love throughout my childhood growing up in London totally devastated, I felt truly sick and terrified.
To see them destroyed made me feel scared as well as angry — angry that these terrorists can steal away the safety of my country and could have potentially taken my life.
I have been extremely disturbed to think that it could have so easily been me on one of those trains, or someone in my family.
I was working when I heard of the bombings, and quickly cycled home to watch the news, with a wrenching feeling in my stomach.
When I turned on the TV, tears entered my eyes as I realized just how severe the attacks were.
The image of the obliterated bus stunned me.
It was one of the regular double-decker buses that I use in London . Seeing one torn apart, I suddenly felt engulfed with insecurity.
I know the Underground in London well and associate the stations with my first memories as a child.
Being on one of the underground trains is something I am so used to that I would never question it, except from now on it will never feel as safe.
The underground trains are so busy — and always so packed — that it makes my heart ache to think of the lives shattered when the bombs went off.
July 7 was a day of true sorrow for all British citizens.
I feel sympathy for those affected in my country, but triumphant that as a nation we will not bow down to these terrorists.
Hayley Slade is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
