The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Two

I woke up in the hospital with a broken arm and cuts and bruises to my head, arms and legs. If this was the worst that happened to me, AND I was on the side of the truck, Ryan, Summer and David must be okay too.

Where is everyone? As I finished that thought, a nurse walks in. It's Ellen. My sister has worked with her since starting her nursing job here six years ago.

"Your up. How are you feeling?" She asked me.

"My head hurts. My body hurts."

"You were in a really bad accident Casey. Do you remember anything?"

"Umm, we were driving. David was taking me and Ryan out to practice. I remember a truck coming at us. Next thing I knew, I was here. Where's everyone at?"

"David is being taken care of right now."

"And Ryan and Summer?", I ask.

Ellen hesitated to say anything.

"Are they okay?"

"Your sister will be here soon.", she said dodging the question.

"Please just tell me. Please."

"I'll be right back with your medication dear. Just relax."

With tears filling my eyes, she exits my hospital room. I just need to know that they're alright. I'm not a religious person but right now I can only pray to whoever's up there. A half an hour goes by and Ellen never comes back. I look up and Sarah is standing at the door of my room looking like she's been crying for days. She's still in her scrubs.

"Hi.", I softly say as tears begin streaming down my face.

"How are you?", I knew when she asked, it was more of a protocol for her to be the adult and not a question she really wanted to hear the answer to. 

"Fine."

Sarah walks up to my bed and calmly asks me, " What happened?"

I can feel her anger emanating off of her as if it was wind from a fan.

Crying, I try my best to answer. "I was driving and- I don't know. We were all fine."

"Fine?" Sarah replied as more tears welled up a her eyes. She began to walk away.

"Summer and Ryan. They're okay, right?... Sarah?"

With her back facing me, she quickly turns around and comes towards me, grabbing the upper part of my arms. I grimmaced in pain.

"They're dead, Casey!!! My sister and daughter are gone and my husband might be next. What did you do?!"

Sobbing, all I can muster out is, "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean for anything to happen."

Without warning, I felt her hand go across my face. She had never hit me before. Or anyone.

"Sorry won't bring them back. My baby is gone."

"Sarah-", I tried to say but she put her hand up to silence me as she walked back to the door. Without looking, she had one more knife to throw at me.

 "I have nothing left.", she said before walking out.

I was shattered... Maybe if I didn't drive. Maybe if Ryan drove first. Maybe if I waited for a day Sarah was off. Maybe none of this would have happened.

For the next three days, I was on suicide watch. They feared I might take my life. I told them I wouldn't do it but I wasn't really so sure myself and apparently they weren't either. Sarah came and sat with me once in those three days. She sat in a chair in the corner, never speaking more than a sentence or two. So during my time, I got used to waiting in silence. 

I get out of here soon. But what am I going back to? I lost my twin sister, my niece, Daniel is in a coma and Sarah hates me, which she should. I'm guilty. My name is Casey Carpenter and I killed the only people who loved me. I have many regrets in life but the biggest? That I didn't die in that wreck instead of them.