When the car came to a complete stop, the metal around me was twisted and groaned as if ready to collapse further. My body rested on what was the interior roof of the car. My limbs were spread out at odd angles, appearing broken. I was bleeding from the particles of glass that were embedded in my skin. Feeling as if I couldn’t breathe, I took forceful breaths, using my accessory muscles to get air into my lungs.
Suddenly, the headlights from an approaching car lit up the wreckage around me.
Gasping for air, I closed my eyes and prayed that the driver would see my car, which had rested in the tree line, by the side of the road.
When the light didn’t fade, I knew that the car had been spotted. Hearing a car door slam shut, the distinct sound of heavy boots walking on the pavement filled the air around me.
I couldn’t move my head, but I was able to shift my eyes towards the rear window. I could see the outline of a man. Although his headlights were blinding, I watched as he walked at an unhurried pace towards my car.
“Help me,” I called weakly, loud enough only for my ears to hear.
Hearing the sole of his boots crunching on the glass which littered the road, I watched him. Breathing heavily, I focused on his boots which came to a stop outside the blown out passenger window.
With my breathing labored, my throat became increasingly dry, and I coughed involuntarily, tasting blood in my mouth. Panic swept through me as breathing became harder and my vision became blurred.
Wake up, I beckoned myself inwardly.
My heart pounded in my chest, causing a drumming sound to invade my ears.
Wake up!
Gasping for breath, I felt like I was drowning. Unable to force even the tiniest amount of air into my lungs, my chest was burning. “Help,” I gagged, trying to reach out for the boots, but I couldn’t will my limbs to move.
At that moment, I realized he had no intention of saving me. He wanted to watch me die.
Wake up, Miranda!
Unable to control my body, it convulsed, being starved of oxygen. My eyes rolled back, and I lost consciousness.