The city of Boston was devastated on Patriots' Day when people often take off work to watch the race with family and friends. Now, their sense of security has been shattered.
At the scene, chaos. Two miles away at the National Geographic Learning Center, panic.
"Everyone was freaking out, work was at a halt, trying to reach everyone we know," said former Bakersfield resident Karen Sikola. "Most people have the day off so all our family and friends are down at the race. I was really worried about a friend because I knew her friend was running the race and she planned to run the last two miles with her for support. I couldn't get a hold of her for a long time, but I finally did and found out she crossed ten minutes before, but she was shaken. There's ambulances everywhere. Everyone's trying to figure out how to get home."
Sikola, a 2002 East Bakersfield High graduate, moved to Boston three years ago.
"Marathon Monday is a holiday in Boston. Most people get it off. It is a treasured event, so this is just tragic," said Sikola.
In fact, Sikola used to work in Copley Square where the bombs went off Monday afternoon. She now works far enough away that she didn't hear or see the explosions but, even at a distance, she said she was scared to leave the safety of her building.
"I am terrified to go outside, just watching trying to figure out how to get home. Most of the trains are down. I am just kind of waiting it out because I feel safer at work right now."
"To see pictures with fire and smoke and people running and crying, it's so upsetting. You don't realize how much you love your new home and the life you built here until you see it threatened like this. I love Boston, I love the city. I am grateful to call it home and I know we will bounce back from this," said Sikola.
At the scene, chaos. Two miles away at the National Geographic Learning Center, panic.
"Everyone was freaking out, work was at a halt, trying to reach everyone we know," said former Bakersfield resident Karen Sikola. "Most people have the day off so all our family and friends are down at the race. I was really worried about a friend because I knew her friend was running the race and she planned to run the last two miles with her for support. I couldn't get a hold of her for a long time, but I finally did and found out she crossed ten minutes before, but she was shaken. There's ambulances everywhere. Everyone's trying to figure out how to get home."
Sikola, a 2002 East Bakersfield High graduate, moved to Boston three years ago.
"Marathon Monday is a holiday in Boston. Most people get it off. It is a treasured event, so this is just tragic," said Sikola.
In fact, Sikola used to work in Copley Square where the bombs went off Monday afternoon. She now works far enough away that she didn't hear or see the explosions but, even at a distance, she said she was scared to leave the safety of her building.
"I am terrified to go outside, just watching trying to figure out how to get home. Most of the trains are down. I am just kind of waiting it out because I feel safer at work right now."
"To see pictures with fire and smoke and people running and crying, it's so upsetting. You don't realize how much you love your new home and the life you built here until you see it threatened like this. I love Boston, I love the city. I am grateful to call it home and I know we will bounce back from this," said Sikola.