Forgetting the Apocalypse

1. Rude Awakening

Pain.

That's my first memory.

Pain, the intense burning and paralyzing sensation that came with it. I struggled to open my eyes only to have them widened immediately when I tried to move. Inhaling or exhaling the smallest breath caused more pain. It takes only a few blinks for my vision to clear and take a look at myself to see where it hurts or even where I am. From what I can tell I'm in a car, and it looks like it's been flipped over. I tried moving again however, not only am I physically unable to move much but I'm riddled with discomfort.

My head which I think has a bump on the side, my left side which has a piece of glass embedded in it, how the hell is that not the first thing I noticed? Or my leg which is pinned by one of the seats. I take another look around to see if I can spot anyone to help me. No one is out there.

That's not possible. How can I not see anyone? Do I call out? I don't hear anything either. I stay silent for a few moments debating whether or not I should try calling or shouting to see if I can get anyone's attention. Then it hits me.

God what is that smell?! It's awful! It's almost like something is rotten. Of course, this only adds to my panic.

Oh fuck it! What's the worst that can happen? "Help! Please!" Nothing but silence.

I try again. "Please help me! I can't move! Anybody!?"

What the hell? Can nobody hear me or is there really nobody out there? That's impossible! When there's a car accident, isn't the thing to do is call an ambulance or the police or something? I still can't see or hear anybody outside? Shit! I try to remember if my bag is nearby, maybe I can reach it and use my phone to call for help.

Wait...

I don't remember what my bag looks like. The more I continued to think about it, I don't remember if I had a bag to begin with. My fear skyrockets because now that my mind is racing looking for answers, I find that I don't have any. I can't remember anything before the last five minutes! Shit this can't be happening. This isn't real! I should at least remember my own freaking name. Right?

"No, no, no, no!" I start to immediately panic more. "My name is... It's... Fuck, my name is..." This really can't be happening!! I need to get out of here. In my hysteria I start sobbing and hyperventilating. How the heck am I supposed to get out of here if I have no idea what's going on? I can't breathe!

No, I have to calm down first. I just need to breathe slowly and stay calm. Stop crying. "Stop freaking crying right now." I gritted out. When I get to the hospital, the doctors will see me and help me. Taking one last look around just to make sure I still don't see anyone.

"Okay, um... woman, you got this! You clearly survived this crash, so this should be no problem. First things first, get the glass out of your side." I need to do that right? I could hurt myself more if I leave it and try to move. Should be simple enough.

I take three deep breaths and pull it out quickly without overthinking it. I have nothing to bite down on so rather than risk biting my own tongue off, I just let out my scream. Quickly I press my hand down on the wound. Though by some miracle, it doesn't bleed as much as I thought it would. In fact, upon closer inspection, some of my blood around the wound appears to be really dry.

Shit how long have I been in here?

Well now that that's over, it's time to free my leg. Looking up I reach over to grab the door handle and use it to pull myself out.

It takes me about five tries and a few grunts and screams before my leg finally slips free. Taking a few breaths before I start moving again, I get a better look out one of the windows. With enough strength I can muster I turn myself over and carefully crawl around the broken glass even though I can feel some of the pieces digging into my skin. When I get out of the car through one of the busted windows that has all it's glass missing.