Falling

Chapter One

My blood pumped warm in my veins and I let out a hiccup, making Matt laugh beside me. We were giddy with excitement and the alcohol running through our bodies. Rain pattered against the top of Matt's truck, but we didn't care, because we were safe and warm inside.

"Mom and Dad would kill us if they saw us," Matt grinned. The truck lurched, but I paid no attention to it. Matt was a brilliant driver.

"Only you," I laughed. "You're a 'bad influence'." I tried to make air quotes with my fingers but my vision blurred and I ended up waving my hands in the air, sending Matt into another fit of laughter.

"Stop it Amelia," Matt chuckled, and the truck lurched again.

I shrugged my shoulders, tipping slightly in my seat.

"Good thing you're buckled up," Matt teased me, and I shoved his shoulder softly.

I could feel the slight turn of the truck as we hurtled down a long, steep hill, the headlights illuminating the wet road before us.

"You know, I was thinking that-" Matt began, but he couldn't finish because something flashed across the road in front of us and Matt jerked the wheel.

The truck spun and I screamed, my cries echoing Matt's. We hurtled towards nowhere until the truck hit something and rolled. Fast food wrappers, coins, and other garbage flew up and down, hitting me in the face. We smashed into a tree and the airbags exploded in my face. I could feel glass slicing into my skin as I vomited, not caring if I puked on myself. Matt whimpered once beside me then it was silent except for the hiss of the engine and the tires spinning.

Everything was blurry and I could feel the rain seeping into my clothes. I fought for consciousness, but a warm liquid ran down the side of my face and my head screamed in pain. I tried to say Matt's name, but I couldn't form the word. I couldn't move anything, not even my lips. My eyes were squeezed shut and when I tried to open them it felt as if someone was stepping on my head. I groaned in pain and swore I could hear sirens in the distance before I blacked out.

I awoke to the sound of a steady rhythm of beeping. I could hear someone sniffling near me but couldn't get up the strength to open my eyes and see where I was or who was sniffling.

An intense pain washed across my whole body and I winced, groaning in agony.

"Amelia?" My mom's shrill voice made me jump and I groaned again, still not opening my eyes. Usually the sound of her voice was soothing, but now it was like an alarm that only caused me more pain. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

"Oh baby! Please wake up! Are you awake?"

The pain intensified and I could hear the beeping pick up pace. Footsteps joined the chorus of noises and I wished I could press my hands over my ears, but I couldn't move a muscle in my body.

"Get back. Get back!" A new voice sounded and I wanted to scream.

"Oh God please. What's happening?"

Hands touched me and even the slighted brush of fingertips against my skin sent me into a fit of agony.

"Increasing her pain medication," A female's voice said and I wanted to kiss her.

It was clear to me now that I was in the hospital, but for what I did not know.

I heard more footsteps, but this time going away from me.

"We increased her pain medication," the woman said softly. "Hopefully she'll open her eyes soon."

"Thank you," my mother whimpered. The commotion in the room grew quieter and I could feel my heart begin to slow to a normal pace. Fingers grabbed my hand and I was surprised that I recognized them to be my mother's.