Crash and Burn

Chance’s POV

            “Duuuude this song is awesome!” a very drunk Noah states from the driver’s seat. How he managed to get into the driver’s seat was beside me, probably because I was also hammered drunk as well. The term ‘designated driver’ had somehow escaped our plans that night, only because we hadn’t planned on being so drunk or drinking at all. In all honesty most of the night had escaped my mind already the only memories I could recall are being thrown out and Tyler’s girlfriends annoying friends. I reach over to turn up the radio on the tank. We called Noah’s big Hummer the tank because it’s pretty much indestructible. He could smash it into a brick wall and come out without a scratch; the brick wall on the other hand would have some major repairs to be done.

            “TURN IT DOWN!” Tyler shouts over the music. I cup my hand over my ear and turn back to face Tyler who was looking ill in the backseat.

            “WHAT WAS THAT? TURN IT UP?” I asked Tyler’s face contorting in disapproval.

            “CRANK IT UP BRO!” Noah hollers laughing hysterically as he turns onto an unfamiliar road. All along us are trees, the road being just big enough to fit the tank. With every pot hole we hit we bounced higher and higher.

            “NOAH SLOW DOWN!” Tyler once again demands from the back seat.

            “WHAT WAS THAT? YOU WANT ME TO DRIVE FASTER?” Noah asks while stomping on the gas.

            “YEA MAN!” I holler and reach over to start flicking the headlights Noah laughing hysterically looking back at poor Tyler. That’s what he gets for leaving us with Tiffany’s annoying friends. I glance up at the road and see a car speeding towards us; I grab the wheel instinctively and try to swerve. “HIT THE BRAKE!”

            Without any hesitation Noah stomps on the brake but it’s far too late, the tank has smashed into the poor car whiplashing it around. I wince as it crashes into a tree and the windows break in. I grip the Jesus handle on the tank and breathe out slowly.

            “Shit, shit, shit!” Noah curses suddenly sobering up a bit and turning the tank off. I spot a thick flume of smoke emitting from the totaled car. Whoever was in there needs to get out, now. Without a second thought I lurch the door open and race over to the mess. Through the smoke I can make out a figure struggling, the smoke is doubling as the fire reaches new places to burn on the car. I make it to the driver’s side door and try to open it. When that fails I reach inside and scoop out the driver as if they weighed nothing. I half drag half carry the wounded driver away from the wreck and notice Noah and Tyler have made their way out of the tank.

            I look down at the person I’m now supporting and notice them for the first time. Long blond locks are covering her surely bruised and cut face, her pale skin looks paler by the minute as we stand there. Somewhere in the back of my mind I know someone should call for help but I can’t manage to say it as the car is slowly eaten by the flames.

            “SAMMY!” the girl now screams scaring me so bad I jump and almost lose my grip on her. “Sammy’s still in there.”

            My heart is thudding, had I not seen the other passenger through all the smoke? Noah steps toward the car but Tyler pulls him back as a loud crack echoes around the night air and the car burst one last final time into flames, the entire cab of the car being swallowed in the orange haze. The heat is so intense I back up still dragging the girl with me afraid to let go as she goes limp in my arms.

            “Tyler call for help,” Noah orders, he rushes to my side to inspect the girl. I suppose it’s lucky his mother is a doctor, he must have some sort of instinct in him, he’ll know what to do right? I look up at Tyler who seems to be frozen.