Constant

Chapter 16

I hit the windshield with a deafening crack. I flew off the car, onto the road, hitting my head on the pavement. One would think it all turned black here—but it didn't.

My arm was bent at an awkward angle behind me, and everything was sideways. The icy cold ground chilled one side of my face. I took a few shuddering breaths. I couldn't feel anything except the cold and my thundering heart in my ears. It was as if the rest of my body had detached. Or at least the sense of feeling.

"Maya!" Douglas was by my side in an instant, and I saw the passenger door open, a quick figure climbing out.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." The words were muffled, as if I was surrounded by water. The figure crouched next to me, and I recognized her face immediately. Joyce.

"Don't touch her," Douglas snapped. "Maya, do you hear me? Maya?"

I groaned but said nothing.

"It's Maya!" Joyce screamed over her shoulder, before turning her attention back to me. "Look both ways before you cross the road, you freak." But there was no malice in her voice, just soft panic.

"I... help me," I croaked.

"No, we're gonna leave you here," she snarked, "of course we're helping you. Ben! Call 911!"

"Ben?" I echoed.

"Yeah, he drove," Joyce said, and again called over her shoulder, "Ben! Get to it!"

"I'm already on the phone," Douglas said, bringing my attention back to him. "Imbeciles," he added under his breath. He stood up and walked away as he spoke to the emergency people, while Joyce remained next to me.

"Are you with me?" Joyce asked. "You have to stay with me." Her words blurred into nothing, and I had to blink to keep my eyes focused. She snapped her fingers at me. My body wanted nothing more than to fall asleep, but I knew that falling asleep was a recipe for disaster. When hurt - always stay awake. One of those rules you saw on TV all the time. Maybe it was just fiction? What harm could it do if I fell asleep? Just for a moment or two...

"They're on their way," Douglas said, walking back over to us.

"They're coming, Maya, you hear? They're on their way. Stay with me, okay?" Joyce said, her hand stroking my face. I could feel the pressure, but not her touch. What a strange concept.

"Help me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I wanted to get away from Douglas. I didn't want him near me. But I couldn't get away. My fingers tingled. My body ached all over.

"The ambulance is on its way. Don't worry, they'll help you," she said.

"The... Light," I said, feeling confused.

"The light? No, no, get the hell away from the light!" she shouted suddenly. "Damn it, Ben! She's seeing the light. I think she's dying!"

Am I dying? I didn't feel like I was dying. And that wasn't the light I was talking about. But for whatever reason, that seemed to get Ben out of his reverie, and he came stumbling toward us. It looked odd, because from my point of view he was running on a wall.

"The Light," I said again, trying to make my voice louder and clearer. I needed them to understand. I needed them to get me away from Douglas, but his name was too difficult to pronounce in my current shape.

"Get the hell away from the light," Ben snapped. If I had the energy, I would have rolled my eyes. They didn't understand anything. They weren't listening to me!

"Not... dying," I mumbled. "Just... tired." I closed my eyes.

"Is she hurt?" Ben asked.

"What do you think? You hit her with your damn car. Of course she's hurt," Douglas snapped. "Where did you get your license? From a cereal box?"