Echoes

Chapter 2

When I collided with the car, I felt the right side of my hair ripped out as I flew through the air, entangled in the bumper. I heard my ribs snap like dry twigs when I slammed into the cobblestone street. The car screeched to a halt and I whacked my head off the ground, twisting it backwards. My vision went dark. My left arm was bent up at a ninety degree angle. Josh screamed my name and knelt next to me, trying to figure out what to do. I closed my eyes, the world around me black and quiet.

Truth be told, I wasn't prepared to die. I mean, are any of us? I thought I had my whole life ahead, but here I was, twisted and bleeding out in the middle of the street. I could feel the sense of dread wash over me as I realized in my last moments all I hadn't done. I didn't know what career I wanted, where I wanted to see myself years down the road, the few relationships I kept in this world. I was a life wasted. I thought about Josh and Ravi, the few friends I had a school. And I thought about my parents. At least I'd get to see them soon.

I took a deep breath. Wait a second.... I caught myself, remembering my ribs. I took another breath. Still no pain. I fumbled to touch my chest and felt nothing, no sign of any breakage. I realized it was my left hand I was using, the previously twisted left hand. I turned my head and looked down. Everything looked normal.

"Nisa, holy shit," Josh said.

I turned my body to face him better, his face full of fear, relief, and confusion.

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm fine." I stared at my hands, watching the scraping fade. I looked up at Josh and saw the driver running over.

"Oh my- I'm so- I can't believe- are you O-," He sobbed, but stopped when he saw me. It took me only a few seconds to realize this man was going to have questions I couldn't answer, questions that I didn't want answered.

"Josh," I said quietly "I need to get home. Now."

He nodded, but looked petrified. I wrapped my arm around his neck and he pulled me up. I stood without any pain or stumbling. The driver turned white as a sheet.

"Can you run? Or at least walk?" Josh whispered.

I took a step forward with no hesitation. I turned and nodded.

"I'm fine, don't worry, I won't press charges," I said to the driver.

He tried to speak but nothing came out. I took another step and smiled. Before a single question could be asked, Josh and I took off down the street.

We kept going, and didn't stop until we were in our brownstone and upstairs in my room. I collapsed on the bed. Josh did the same thing on my chair, shaking his head. I stared at the ceiling breathing deeply. Early morning sunlight streamed in through the transparent curtains, washing the room in a pale yellow. I closed my eyes. Please, please, just let this all be a bad dream.

"Nisa," he said.

I covered my face with my hands. "If you want me to explain, I got nothing."

"Nisa," he said again. I peeked through my fingers. He looked terrified.

"Josh, I'm fine. No need to freak out," I reassured him, reaching for his arm.

He drew back. "That's not what's scaring me."

I bit my lip, racking my brain for an answer, but had none. I stared at him.

"I saw you hit the ground. I heard your bones break!" he said "Your head was backwards."

I didn't answer. I stared at the floor.

"What happened?" He asked.

"I told you, I don't kn-"