In Search of Tomorrow ✓

Twenty-Six

The first thing I noticed when I regained consciousness was how beautiful shattered glass could be. When I cracked open my eyes, my head was throbbing, but all I could see was the broken windshield, still reflecting the moonlight, spattered with red.

Then I noticed the lights flashing all around me. When I looked out the misshapen window I saw that there were police cars, ambulances, and even a fire truck at the scene. A sharp pain shot towards my head and I thought I'd pass out again, but I managed to maintain my presence of mind.

I wasn't sure how much I could move, so I just swiveled my head to the driver's side to look for Cameron. He was nowhere in sight, but his side of the car didn't look incredibly ruined.

Someone tried to wrench open my car door, but it was practically demolished. I looked up to see a state trooper finally pry open the door and poke his flashlight in the car.

"Are you all right, miss?" he asked, angling his flashlight into the backseat. I twisted around to see into the back and saw that I could do so easily, with no pain.

"I'm fine," I said. "But my sisters—and my boyfriend. Are they okay?"

The trooper flicked off his flashlight, suddenly looking urgent. "Ma'am, I need you to get out of the car if you're able," he said. "Are you in pain?"

"My head just hurts a little bit; I'm really fine..."

He grabbed my wrist gently and pulled me out onto the soggy grass; rainwater splashed up onto my legs. "Your boyfriend is standing over by my car; can you please go over to him? We need to take care of your sisters..."

Even as he spoke, he was gesturing wildly for the team of medics to head over to the car.

My heart was now pounding to match my head, but I obeyed the trooper and went over to Cameron. He didn't look at all injured except for a bandage on his forehead that the on-site medics seemed to have wrapped up hastily. I wondered if that explained the blood on the windshield.

"Evelyn!" he exclaimed, hurrying over to me and wrapping me in a tentative hug. "Are you feeling okay? Are you hurt?"

I felt myself swaying on the spot, and I had to grab onto his arm to right myself. "I'm fine," I lied, shutting my eyes. "Maddie and Clare. Are they okay?"

When I glanced at him, I saw he was frowning, and my heart froze in my chest.

"Cameron," I repeated, my voice urgent. "Where are my sisters?"

He gripped my hand so tightly I probably lost all the blood in it, but I welcomed the pain. "I don't think they're doing well at all," he said. "The medics are with them now."

Afraid of what I would see, I turned back to Cameron's convertible. It was completely wrecked. The car that had hit us, a mini SUV, didn't look as destroyed but was still in bad shape. A man in handcuffs was standing near it with a police officer, gesticulating wildly.

The convertible was smashed in from the back, and the damage on the right side of the car seemed most severe. Several pieces of the car lay on the road, and glass from the windshield was sparkling in the moonlight. Medics and police officers were swarming around the vehicle, yelling urgently.

"Maddie and Clare," I said hoarsely, starting towards the car.

Cameron grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, restraining me. "You can't go over there," he said. "Wait just a little while. They're going to be okay."