After World Chronicles: Angel Awakens

Angel: Crash

CRASH:

(ANGEL)

I am tightly jammed in place, unable to move. Trapped and gasping for breath. The metal of the van is wrapped around me, pressing me into the seat at an oddly contorted angle. My neck is twisted with my face pressed against the window, its glass shattered like a web, blood smeared into the network of cracks. I can see nothing beyond it. Something thick and wet is dripping from my hairline down into my eyes, blurring my vision. My hands and arms must be pinned because I can't seem to move them to wipe the wetness away. Dazedly I attempt to blink and squint my vision into clearness, but everything is a red haze. I become aware of a sharp pain that feels like something is stabbing at my thigh, and I can feel a thick, burning wetness spreading over my lap. My brain buzzes with distortion as I try to force myself to stay conscious.

Where is my mother? I wonder. What happened? my thoughts continue to wander. Where am I? I realize the buzzing filling my head is not my brain but my ears. The noise is so loud it drowns out everything else, even my thoughts. I try to call out to my mother, but have no idea how loud my voice is because it sounds muffled, like I am speaking under water. A sharp throbbing pain in my ribs matches the one in my leg. Suddenly I am unable to catch my breath. I close my eyes to concentrate on filtering shallow breaths in and out of my lungs hoping the dizziness subsides.

I am wedged in so securely I am unable to move my head to look for my mother. I can't hear or see her and wonder if she is in the same predicament as me. For a timeless moment all I hear over the noise in my ears is the groan of metal as it slides against some rough surface, and the revolutions of a tire as it continues to spin uselessly. Around the blurry haze of red everything is dim. Pain continues to throb through me with each staggered beat of my heart. Each breath is a struggle as I try forcing oxygen into lungs that scream there is no space to take it.

Suddenly I hear a thump and the twisted hulk that was left of our vehicle sways dangerously. My eyes open once more to peer vaguely at the sounds coming from outside. The vehicle continues to move jerkily. Near me I hear a scraping noises, then a soft groan as the vehicle shudders. I blink dully as the metal begins to warp away from me. The battered door of the truck screeches in protest before crumpling away. A lean, muscled arm covered in a black leather bracer flings the piece away, tossing it like an errant Frisbee. The crushed metal door goes sailing into a patch of earth, digging up a small pile of dirt over its edge as it comes to an unceremonious bouncing halt some impossible distance away.

Even in my altered state I blink in awe at the power it takes to peel the door from its tightly wrapped position around me. Two molten golden eyes fringed with impossibly long and thick black lashes assess me from under a heavily scowling brow. Tan arms, lean and muscular reach in to work me free from my prison. I am wedged tightly between seat and dashboard with not even space for a finger in between. The scowl on the dark face deepens as I gasp in a strained breath. There is no lack of determination as my rescuer braces one shoulder beside me, then pushes against the shattered dash with steady hands. After a painful wrench of movement I suddenly have room to inhale a deep breath. Sharp pain fills my lungs and I choke as the oxygen expands my rib cage. Tears of pain spring to my eyes and drip onto my cheeks, mixing with the blood. As the tears leak out from my eyes they help to clear the haze of my vision, but only enough to fade red to pink.

The little bit of space is not enough for release. The van still holds me fast in it's iron grip. Though I am barely conscious I am aware of my rescuer forcing shattered pieces of the van apart with what can only be preternatural strength. Time is suspended as he works diligently to create enough space to free me. In my daze I wonder idly if an enhanced soldier has captured me after all, but I am in no condition to care. I think I am dying.

Finally there is enough room for him to reach me but the next obstacle presents itself. The strap of the seat belt is jammed in its catch. I watch full lips growling curses while his powerful hands yank at the belt without success. With a quick economy of movement and a flash of light on silver, in the blink of an eye he draws a sharp dagger which he uses to slice through the belt in several places. Finally he pulls me free and carries me a short distance away from the wreck.

I am placed gently on the ground not far from where the mangled door landed. My rescuer bends to assess my injuries as I struggle to breath. I note absently that the pain is fading, being replaced by a bone deep icy numbness.

"Lexi," I force out in a hoarse gasp, the effort causing me to cough roughly.

"Shh," he frowns as sure hands explore the extent of my injuries. Burning pain suddenly spikes and I struggle weakly to look for the source. I gasp to see a veritable hole in my inner thigh, blood pumping out freely in time to my staggered heartbeats.

Everything takes on the veneer of a dream as I watch my life's blood flows freely away from me. I realize I am dying. In this dreamlike state I imagine my rescuer urging me to drink. A deep voice begs me to stay awake, to stay with him. Somehow I am cradled in his arms, golden eyes burning into mine with a command I must obey. There is sensation of something warm and wet against my lips and my tongue darts out to lick away thick saltiness. I dream my lips are moving over skin as I swallow fire that consumes me until I am nothing but a pile of ash blowing away in an icy wind. For an eternity there is nothing.

Dreams start to flicker in and out with my sluggish heartbeat. Thump, strong arms wrapped around me. Thump, cradling me. Thump, carrying me. Thump, a masculine scent surrounds me, filling me with an odd sense of comfort. Thump, thump, a deep and musical voice speaking softly to me. Thump, gentle fingers push hair from my face. Thump, thump, something moist and warm is pressed against my lips. I drink until cold fire sweeps through my body. It leaves me weak and defenseless, but takes away the pain.