What Hides Within

Accident

Eric had hopped home for a quick shower and now rushed back to the hospital, barely feeling the warm sunshine on his face.

He couldn't wait to be next to Carrie.

He rushed to her bedside and stopped short.

There was a man standing there, staring intently at Carrie's motionless face.

He looked nerdy. Rimless spectacles, conservative shirt.

Eric felt a rush of annoyance.

"Excuse me," he said, sharply. "Do I know you?"

The man jumped slightly and looked up at Eric. "Hi. I'm Sean."

Eric gave him a stiff handshake.

"You know Carrie?" he asked coldly.

"I was the one who got her to the hospital. I left when I saw you arrive. I... I... had to be somewhere else." Sean fumbled and looked away.

Eric relaxed. He hated it when guys hit on Carrie. Or got friendly with her.

"Did they find the guy yet?" Sean asked.

Eric sighed. "No. But thanks for calling an ambulance right away and getting her to the hospital."

Sean opened his mouth to say something but then hesitated and shut it.

He shuffled his feet awkwardly.

"How did it happen?" Eric asked blandly.

"The crossing was just after a flyover. She was a few feet away from me. Cars were zipping past."

Sean turned his gaze away again.

"I'm not sure what happened. I was looking in the opposite direction. I suddenly heard a loud thump and brakes squealing."

"The guy drove away so fast I couldn't catch his license plates."

"Your wife..." Sean's voice cracked. "...she was flung. She hit the side of a tree."

"I rushed to her immediately and called the ambulance. But there was no blood. Considering how bad the accident was... there was no blood."

Eric looked at his wife. She didn't look like she was even in an accident, apart from minor scrapes and bruises.

"There's internal bleeding." he told Sean. "We don't know when will she wake up. Or if she ever will."

Sean shuffled awkwardly. "I got to go... but... take care."

Eric nodded stiffly.

Sean walked a few feet away, then abruptly turned back.

"You know what..." he whispered.

Eric turned in surprise.

"...I didn't see how it happened, but that car couldn't have hit her."

"What?" Eric looked at him confused.

"That car passed by me a nanosecond earlier. She was standing barely few feet away from me. It couldn't have hit her."

Eric felt his head spin. "What are you trying to say?" he demanded.

Sean looked at him intently.

"I think she stepped in front of it."