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Chapter 38: Fade to Black (Pt.1)

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?

Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

WITH ONE LAST turn the car sharply bounced on the pavement, the movement stopped and I was thankful that at least we weren't upside down. 

I heard Jill groaning in pain beside me and  I realized I was still screaming at the top of my lungs. Making the conscious decision to gain composure and take control of the situation,  I looked towards the driver's seat where I found Jill gasping for air, her eyes squeezed in pain.

"Are you okay, Jill?" I said panting, my throat ached.

"I think I broke a bone," she panted.

"Don't move until paramedics arrive, okay? I'll call 911..." I watched her nodding softly, her face transfixed in soreness.

I looked around the car to find a terrifying scene. The airbags fabric hanging from the windows and dashboard, glasses shattered and all of our belongings spread everywhere. 

I saw blood dripping from my right hand onto the floor and I held it tight to my chest in an attempt to hold it still. Its mere movement causing me to whimper loudly in pain. I felt dizzy and thought I would pass out when, out of nowhere, a young man visibly affected by the situation approached the car and informed us he had just called 911. 

"Have you seen the black SUV that hit us?" I called.

"I did, but it left, we tried to stop it, my friend and I," he recounted as his eyes traveled down to Jill who quietly sobbed in pain, "do you need anything?" He asked looking back at me.

I softly traced my left hand over Jill's head to comfort her, and discovered a million minuscule glass pieces within her hair, "Do you want some water, Jill?" I whispered and all she could do was nod her head.

"It hurts Liv," her voice was almost inaudible.

"Where?" I asked ducking my head to get a better glimpse of her face; tears were falling from the tip of her nose.

"Stomach," she cried as her eyes met mine for the first time.

"You'll be alright, honey, the ambulance is coming," it was ridiculous to think that I was attempting to calm anyone given the state of agitation I was in, but in that context, I was somehow the stronger one.

Someone tried to open the driver's door without much luck and walked around the car towards my side. The door beside me opened and a middle-aged policeman squatted on the street beside me kindly smiling.

"Good morning ma'am," he said nodding once and I returned the gesture in response holding the tears as I continued to caress Jill's head. I could barely feel the cuts the splinters were leaving on my hands. 

"What's your name?" He asked, eyes studying the scene.

I looked at him again and his smile turned into a grin, "Olivia," I whispered, my mouth felt sandy.

"Nice to meet you, Olivia, I'm Walter, do you or friend need anything?"

"An ambulance," I begged.

"The ambulance is on its way, try to move as little as possible, they'll be here in a heartbeat," he assured.

"Thanks," and as I was about to ask him for some water, I saw people approaching the car. I was shocked and immediately enraged to discover they were paparazzi.

"Walter? They can't be here," I said trying to be calm as he raised his head looking at them and sharply nodded before standing up.

"You have to go right now!" He yelled to the paps who tried to discuss it weakly until he threatened them with jail making everyone disappear not before snapping a few shots. Walter was the first guardian angel of that day.The ambulance arrived minutes later and the paramedics were quickly applying neck braces to both of us, a sling on my arm and placing Jill on a stretcher after making sure I could walk. I insisted on being in the same vehicle as her, and they reluctantly let me get away with it.