I had some help

Fifty-nine

In October 2021, Michael set off on tour, the open road stretching ahead of him like a promise. The hum of the bus engine was steady beneath him, each mile pulling him farther from the familiar and deeper into the thrill of the unknown. Nashville was just a few days away, where Alex would join him, as she always did, bringing her calm presence and a sense of home. They'd continue the tour together, moving from city to city in a rhythm they both knew so well.

Back home, Morgan had taken a break from the grueling touring life, trying to rediscover the peace that had eluded him for months. His usual laid-back demeanor was tested after Indigo suffered a vicious bite from Katie's dog. The bite had left a jagged scar across Indigo's face, and the sight of it stirred something protective-and furious-inside Morgan. He demanded Katie get rid of the dog, insisting he'd take care of Indigo himself until something was done. The tension in the air between them was thick, the kind that lingered even in moments of silence.

Out on the road, the tour continued as usual. One night, after a long, electrifying show, the band climbed back onto the tour bus, their bodies exhausted but spirits high. Michael and Tanner stayed up, chatting quietly in the front lounge while Alex and Noah had already turned in for the night, sound asleep in their bunks. The bus rumbled along the highway, the hum of the tires blending with the stillness of the night.

Michael leaned back in his seat, half-listening to Tanner recount the highlights of the show. The night should have felt normal, but there was something in the air-an unsettling tension that gnawed at the edges of Michael's mind. Fatigue from the road was normal, but this felt different, like a shadow looming over the night.

Then, without warning, the crash came.

It was nearing 2:30 AM. One moment, the bus cruised smoothly down the freeway, and the next, it lurched violently to the side. Michael barely had time to grab the armrest before the bus swerved hard, throwing everything into chaos. The screech of tires cut through the night, followed by the gut-wrenching sound of twisting metal and the world spinning violently around them.

The bus flipped, crashing through trees and debris as it careened down an embankment. Michael was flung forward, slamming into the side of the lounge as the bus crumpled. The impact seemed to stretch for an eternity, metal tearing and the bus tumbling until, with a final jarring lurch, everything stopped.

The wreck was devastating. The front of the bus was crushed against a tree, the doors crumpled inward, sealing them inside a cage of twisted metal. The windows were cracked, jagged shards of glass jutting dangerously from the frames. The bus had become a prison, and no one could get out-or in.

Adrenaline surged through Alex, overriding the pain that screamed from every part of her body. Her head pounded from the impact, warm blood trickling down the side of her face and into her eyes. Her right arm throbbed with every movement, but none of it mattered. She couldn't stop. She had to find the others.

With fierce determination, Alex pushed open the door to her bunk area, the metal groaning in protest. She spotted Noah, slumped and bloodied but conscious, clutching his side. "Noah!" She cried, rushing to his side.

"I'm okay." He managed, though his voice was strained. "Just... hurting."

"Stay still. Help is coming." She urged, her hands trembling as she checked him over. She could feel the urgency rising within her; they needed to find Michael and Tanner.

"Alex, we have to get out of here!" Noah insisted, panic rising in his voice.

"I can't leave you." She said, pushing through the fear. "I need to find Michael and Tanner first."

With a quick nod of determination, she turned and headed toward the front of the bus. The twisted wreckage loomed ahead, debris blocking her path. She stepped carefully over shattered glass and crumpled metal, every movement sending sharp jolts of pain through her body.