Race for the Throne | Formula One

33. Waiting Game

Time seemed to move in slow motion as I waited for the ambulance which had to pass through the paddock to leave the circuit. They were going to pick me up on the way out. Carlos stood with his arm wrapped around my waist, supporting me, while Isa clung to my hand. I remember convincing Carlos not to leave the race, I told him he had to finish it for Charles. I remember telling Isa to stay back with Carlos. But it was like someone else was using my voice to talk.

Fred had gotten me to calm down by telling me that I was going to the hospital with him and that being calm was the only way I could help Charles right now. But after the adrenaline and chaos of watching the crash, I felt completely numb now. Like I was watching everything as a third party observer.

The sirens grew louder as the ambulance parked in front of us. Carlos helped me inside as they opened the door and then we were off. A whimper escaped my mouth as I saw Charles laying on the gurney. Max was sitting on the bench against the wall of the ambulance. I sat down next to him and he held me close to his side.

"Thank you." Was all I could manage to say to him.

He nodded, I think he knew all the things I couldn't say then.

Charles was unconscious the whole drive which scared me. Once at the hospital, they rushed Charles out of the ambulance and inside. I couldn't keep up so I clung to Max until they took him away as well to check him after the accident. I stumbled down the hall with no idea where to go until I was able to stop a passing nurse and she pointed me in the right direction. I finally entered a waiting room and the nurse at the desk told me I was in the right place. I asked her if she could tell Max where I was for if he was able to come find me later. She promised she would inform him.

I pulled my phone out and saw texts and calls from both my family and his. I quickly clicked Pascale, Charles' mother, number.

"Dear God, is he ok?" She was frantic on the other end usf the line, picking up at the first ring.

"He-he was unconscious but they said he was stable so I think that's a good sign. We just got to the hospital and they haven't given me any updates yet." I fought the panic rising in my chest.

Fred's words reminding me to be calm played on repeat in my head.

"Are Arthur and Lorenzo with you?" I asked.

"Lorenzo is here, Arthur was at his and Charles' apartment."

"Can I talk to Lorenzo?"

The oldest Leclerc brother took the phone from his mother. "I'm here Kat."

"Keep your mother away from the television, they'll just keep reshowing the accident. Get Arthur there as quickly as you can, I'll let you all know as soon as I find anything out."

"I will. Thank you for being there." Lorenzo ended the call.

I quickly called my parents to let them know what was going on.

After getting off the phone with them, I dropped into one of the hard backed chairs, head in my hands. That's where Max found me. He sat next to me and rested his elbows on his knees.

"What did they say about you?" I asked him, shifting so I could look at him.

"Some minor burns and just sore for a few days." He raised his hand a little so I could see a bandage wrapped around it. "Charles?"

I shook my head. "No update yet, they haven't told me anything."

Max hung his head. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault."

I put my hand on his arm. "It's not your fault, you both raced hard and it happened. I don't blame you for it."

Max smiled faintly at me. A doctor walking in interrupted us. We both jumped to our feet as he approached us.