seeing through a stangers eyes - Patrick Hockstetter

Chapter 1 - Where there is death there is rebirth

"Yeah I know right, like why the fuck are boys always so unobservant." Ashley groaned with a bratty attitude as she walked along the side walk with her friend Bella by her side. The two girls were currently gossiping about Derry High's latest proclaimed douche bags. "And what about Noah huh? I'm tellin' you Ashy, you should dump his ass, he obviously doesn't give a shit about you." Bella stated as they turned down a street the lamposts illuminating the dark depths of the street. 

Now your probably thinking why the hell are they walking around town at night time. 

Well, let's see, it's like in horror movies, the dumb college kids decide to walk out of the house even though they know there is obviously someone outside. This was almost like that except, well, there is no madman or scary figure trying to chase and kill them. No, instead tonight would mark the night of a terrible accident and almost a tragedy. Or perhaps it might've just been a gift from the heavens...or hell.

"Yeah, probably will, he's been getting on my nerves lately, I mean would it kill him to take me out on a date just every once in a while." Ashley said as she spun around turning her back to the road, as she began to walk backwards as she spoke to her friend.

"That's my girl, Oh my gosh my Ashy's growing up." She said with fake despair and Ashley laughed. "God I can't wait for this semester to be over" Ashley said changing the subject after a second. "Yeah me too, the assignments are just kicking my ass at the moment." Bella stated as the two girls had bright smiles on their faces as they walked. Then silence broke out between them before Ashley's smile disappeared. "Hey, uh Bella I um just wanted to say that your a really good friend. Any guy would be a fool to let you go." Ashley said as she kept walking backwards completely unaware that she was nearing the side of the road.  

"Yeah, you are too Ashley" Bella said as they walked towards a curb completely unaware of the car that was speeding down the road at all. "Well on the agenda tonight, let's see, romantic movies, popcorn and let's not forget all the freakin candy in the world" Ashley said listing out what they were planning to do when they got to Ashley's house. But little did they know this night would take a drastic turn for the worst. "Oh yeah! now that's what I'm talkin' about" Bella said excitedly as they sped up there pace a little. "Come on, ya gotta keep up ya slow poke" Ashley said as she sped up whilst still walking backwards.

As Ashley nears the curb Bella suddenly picks up on the roaring sound of an engine and looks down the road to see a speeding car heading their way. "Wait! Ashley! Stop!" Bella yelled out but Ashley instead just dismissed it and smiled. "nuh uh, I am not falling for that. I'm going to get there first." Ashley teased as she kept going. "No! Stop!!! Ashley look out!" Bella screamed but it was too late. Ashley slipped and fell backwards onto the road just as the car get to the curb. 

Then everything seems to happen in a slow motion. 

Bella screams loudly in horror as she watched the car hit Ashley and send her friend flying further down the road. The driver in the car of course, screeched to a halt upon seeing Ashley but it was too late. The car had hit her and the damage was now done. And there Ashley's body lay, a few ways down the road, bloodied and quite possibly...broken. 

"ASHLEY!" Bella screamed as tears ran down her face whilst she sprinted towards her friend who lay on her side in the middle of the road, bleeding profusely from a large head wound. The driver of the car came rushing out of their car and towards the two girls. 

Bella dropped to her knees as she pulled Ashley into her arms. "No, No, No Ashley No! Wake up! Please wake up!" Bella whimpered as she held her friend in her arms. Once it came to bella that Ashley wasn't waking up she began to panic. "Help! Somebody help please! Help!" Bella screamed at the top of her lungs urgently as blood continued to gush from Ashley's head.

"Oh my god, hold on I'll radio for help!" The driver spoke as he sprinted back to his car. "No, no, no please god, please don't let her die please." Bella begged as she looked down at her friend sobbing. "Your gonna be ok Ashley! hang in there" Bella said as the sound of distant sirens suddenly took away the tragic silence of a tragic accident, one that would change Ashley's entire life forever. 

But as Bella sat there, cradling Ashley in her arms, up in the night sky above them was a shooting star. 

Now of course a shooting star can mean many things like finding new love or hope or great fortune. But also a shooting star is a sign of a new beginning, a sign of a new life being created. Some might call it a miracle, others might call it a message from satan himself but for Ashley Sullivan, this might just be a gift from the gods above.