Nights like this || Hector Fort

Chapter 13

When in Abu Dhabi

Amira would be lying if she said that December 8th, 2024 wasn't one of worst days -if not the worst- of her life. She hated it. She would never be able to attend a race the same again.

Alex had crashed and spun off track into the barrier on lap 34 of the race ultimately landing him in the hospital. He was unconscious for hours and Amira was inconsolable. She was crying one second, void of emotion the next. No one knew what to do. 

Lily thankfully was at the race otherwise things would be much worse. Amira was still 17, her birthday not being for 3 more months. Also thankfully, the Albon siblings father had made an appearance at the last race of the season. Their mother, did not give enough of a damn to show up immediately, claiming she would show up if Alex wasn't awake in 2 days. 

Amira didn't even speak. She didn't look at her phone, she didn't answer a single text from anyone. Not even her boyfriend who had heard about the crash mid training session. Eventually after no response, he had resorted to texting Charles who explained what had happened and that Amira was incredibly disoriented. 

The girl gave minimalized responses, responding to the things regarding her brother but aside from that she would stare at the wall. Hectors first reaction was to book the next flight to Abu Dhabi so here he was, standing in the lobby of the hospital Alex was in. 

Hector nearly ran to the room, entering quietly as to not disturb anything. Amira was still sat on a recliner next to her brothers bed, she hadn't left. She only glanced up for a second when she realized someone had come in. 

It was Hector and seeing him brought her the slightest bit of comfort. She still didn't speak. Neither did Hector. It was only them, Amira's dad and Lily had both returned to the hotel to go freshen up. Amira refused to leave. 

"Hi pretty," Hector said softly, approaching the girl and pulling her into his chest. "Hi," Amira whispered and a faint sigh of relief could be heard. 

"he's sleeping, he woke up but he's supposed to be resting. Lily and dad went to the hotel, I couldn't bring myself to leave. It was so scary Hector. I heard him crash over the radio, and then he wouldn't respond." this was the first time Amira had spoken in nearly two days. 

Hector shifted the two so Amira was sitting across his legs, her back against the arm rest and her head on his shoulder. Hector didn't say a word, Amira needed to talk, he would let her. 

"You know, I always asked myself what would I do in this exact situation. If he crashed and didn't wake up, or he crashed and was unresponsive what would I do. I never knew what I'd do. I didn't know if I would cry, or scream or go silent." Amira spoke, she laughed bitterly. "I've done a bit of everything. He's awake, supposed to make a full recovery but I'm still so terrified. This sport has taken enough from the world." Amira's voice cracked at the end. 

Hector frowned, he didn't know what to say. "I'm not gonna say I know how you feel, because I don't but I will say that I'm here Amira. I'm here to help you and be there for you and I'll be there to help you get through it all mi amor." He could feel Amira nod against his shoulder. 

"You know, on another note, my dad's here. He came for the last race, we were all supposed to go on vacation and then me and Alex were gonna go home to London for Christmas." Amira told the boy and she felt him tense under her. "What? Nervous to meet my dad?"