Pulled me up. I gasped for air and looked around. I was in a palm tree with a Thai man. I could see people in 25 the distance running in panic. On the morning of 26th December, the sun was shining and a warm breeze was blowing on Ko Phi Phi Don Island in Thailand. It was a welcome change 5 from the wet, rainy weather in London. After breakfast, we went to the beach. My parents decided to sunbathe and I ran straight into the crystal clear water. Nothing could prepare me for what 10 was about to happen next. Suddenly, I heard a loud roar. The water under my feet disappeared. I heard people screaming and pointing at the sea. "What's going on?" I was 15 wondering as I turned to see a massive wave coming towards me. "Mark, run!" I heard my mum shout before the huge wave swallowed me. I was under the water. I was trying to breathe and 20 reach the surface but the force of the water just pushed me down. Then, out of nowhere a hand grabbed me and I felt like crying, but I was too shocked to even do that. The only thing I could do was to sit and watch, unable to move. The hours passed slowly, 30 Suddenly, the Thai man started shouting and pointing to a helicopter. The pilot saw us and came to rescue us. Half an hour later, we were safe in the hills. There were a lot of people 35 there. I was feeling lonely and lost when I heard my mum's voice say "Mark, you're safe." I don't remember feeling more relieved in my life than at that moment. Two days later we left the island. We felt lucky to be alive, but we were sorry for the locals that lost their homes. It 4