The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Four

Its been three hours since I got home and Sarah still isn't here. Usually at this time we're eating dinner and not because Sarah cooked it. David was the chef of the family and I, the baker. By baker I mean that I was great at making prepackaged cookie dough, cakes, and brownies. The only thing from scratch I can manage is my mom's banana bread recipe. 

Have you ever cried so much that you feel like you've run out of tears? I should probably shower and change but I lack the energy for it and the strength to enter my room. Or anyone's room. I don't want to watch TV or talk to anyone. I just want to wither away.

(Text message from Keegan) "Hey just wanted to see how you were doing. Sam and Leah wanted to see you."

(Text message from Keegan) "Should I come by with them tomorrow after school?"

I wasn't going to reply but I don't want anyone here.

(Casey's text message to Keegan) "No."

(Text message from Keegan) "Okay. I'm here though."

Another three hours pass and the sun, like my family, has vanished. One big difference though - only one thing will be returning at dusk.

I'm sleeping on the couch tonight in the family room. As I struggle to keep my eyes closed and my mind from running, I hear the front door open so I pretend to be asleep. Sarah walks in and I soon feel her standing over me for a moment until she eventually disappeared somewhere upstairs.

As every moment passes throughout the night, and I hear each tick of the grandfather clock nearby, sleep eludes me. What doesn't escape me is the dark irony of knowing that Ryan and Summer will be sleeping forever.

The doctor prescribed me pain meds for the accident. Taking an extra one shouldn't hurt. I just need to do it this once, I thought to convince myself that its all going to be okay. As I open the bottle and pour one into my hand, I accidentally pour two. Two is fine. People take ten of these at a time and survive.

Walking into the kitchen for water, I hear a noise upstairs. I go to check it out after taking my medicine, and find Sarah sitting at the edge of her bed, crying softly. I want to be there for her but... She doesn't want it. She doesn't want me.

Feeling loopy an hour after taking the pills, I FINALLY knock out but on the couch. Rather outside of Sarah's room on the floor.

*Crash!!*

I'm suddenly jolted awake around nine in the morning.

"Fuck!", Sarah loudly says from the kitchen.

I run downstairs to see what happened. Sarah broke a dish while putting them away. She's already picking up the pieces by the time I get there.

"Let me help."

"I got it.", she said without even looking in me. I decide to help anyway.

"Stop! Just go. I said I got it.", Sarah said frustratingly.

Without saying anything, I obeyed and left, more broken than the day before.