The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Eight

**FLASHBACK/DREAM**

"Ready!", Summer said as we were camping by the lake and playing hide and seek with Charlie, our German Shepherd. She giggled and is ALWAYS the first to be found.

"Where are they Charlie? Find them.", Sarah said to Charlie while hunting for everyone.

"Found you!", Sarah smiled and said.

"Why do I always choose to hide with this kid. He must be smelling the Cheeto residue on her hands every single time.", Ryan said after being found with Summer.

"We have to find dad and Casey now, Sum", Sarah said while still holding the leash to Charlie.

"Daddy! Where are you?!", Summer yelled out.

I was hiding next to David because this doofus couldn't find a spot.

"If we're found David, I'm blaming you.", but really, I would.

I've always been the best at this game. Ryan probably would be better if she cared enough to win like I do. While I may be a Gemini, I have the competitiveness of an Aries. Sarah is very much the same in that aspect. She's a Leo though.

"Shhh!", I tell David after he sneezed.

"Bless you would have sufficed.", he said jokingly.

"Bless you.", I whispered.

We heard them get closer as we waited in a tree. Yup, I said tree. You have to go to great lengths to not be found.

They walked underneath us as we held our legs up and we were doing great. They began to walk past us but SOMEBODY had to sneeze again. I dropped my head into my arm.

"Found them!", Ryan said looking up at us with Charlie, Sarah, and Summer.

As we got down from the tree, a branch cut my hand.

"Ow!", it hurt.

We went back to our tents and while Ryan helped David cook dinner over the campfire, Sarah tended to my cut.

"It's going to sting a bit.", she said to me before pouring rubbing alcohol on it. She was right because it did. But she blew on it and it took some of the pain away rather quickly. After all, she is a nurse.

As she was wrapping it, she said, " How's that? Does it hurt?"

Her smile made anyone feel as if they mattered more than anyone. Regardless of being her family or a just a stranger.

"It's good.", I said.

"Good. Now, no more tree climbing.", she said knowing that that probably isn't going to happen. ESPECIALLY if I'm trying to win at something.

"And don't get it wet tonight. No night swimming.", she added.

**FLASHBACK ENDS/DREAM**

I jolt up from the guest bed. The time on the clock says 3:53 AM. Just when you think sleep is an escape, you realize it's just another way for your brain to mess with you... and I'm officially out of pills.