Caleb

Chapter Two - During The Accidnet

CALEB'S POV

        It’s like everything happened in slow motion. She thought it was safe, but at the moment she went to turn, the car sped around the corner. I yelled at her and tried to push through to get to her, but I wasn’t fast enough. The car and bike collided, sending her flying and rolling away.

“CIERA!” My voice strained, but it was too late. I watched helplessly as her body hit the ground and slid, leaving trails of maroon on the road. The car careened off, barely missing her the second time. As she rolled, her white tee became soaked in blood. I dropped the bike and jolted through others just as they began to realize what had happened.

“CIERA!” I yelled again, to no avail. I knew she was unconscious. But I wouldn’t accept that she was d- No. I can’t even think about it now, let alone then. At this point I could barely hear the screams and the bikes clattering. I had to get to her. She needed my help. I kneeled at her head, picking it up and setting it in my lap. Her many freckles were scarce to be counted through the blood and cuts that lined her cheeks. Her blue eyes stared blankly, trying to flutter open. They closed, and she could no longer see through her lids. Her hair was matted down with blood and rubble from the street.

“Somebody call an ambulance!!” I heard somebody yell.

“Nobody has their phone!” Another voice rang.

“Everybody calm down!” I heard our teacher yell.

“Calm?” I shouted at him. “She’s going to die if we don’t do something.” I stated between gritted teeth. Everyone was then quiet. Marcy—I think that’s her name; she doesn’t talk to me much—ran to a bush and puked. I picked Ciera up and cradled her in my arms, not caring about her blood soaking my shirt.

“I need to get her back to the school, so I can drive her to the hospital. Somebody, please, help me keep her on my bike.”

            Within seconds I was on my bike, holding Ciera against myself in front of me as two of our classmates wrapped the ropes that had been around their shoulders to keep the tire pumps with them around us. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just wanted to help. I barely even knew Ciera. When they were done, I pedaled a little bit to make sure the ropes would hold. They did.

“I’m going to ride ahead of the group. I have my keys. I’ll see you if you come to the hospital.” I stated, monotone. I got sullen and worried nods from some of the guys and whimpers and moans from some of the girls in reply, and took off. I pedaled as fast as I possibly could, hoping I wouldn’t be too late to save her. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to say something, but once again her head dropped back. When I got to the school, I dropped my bike at the bike rack. Looking back now, I realize it could have been easily stolen, but I hadn’t cared. I worked quickly to get the ropes off of us and picked her up gently. I jogged as fast as I could to my car, opening the passenger’s side door and setting her in. I buckled her in and sprinted around the car to the driver’s seat. Buckling myself in, I started the car and weaved out of the parking lot. When on the road, I was going about 76 mph before I got pulled over.

            I hit the steering wheel angrily then rolled down the window. The officer that sauntered over had a certain confidence in his stride.

“Officer we really don’t have time for thi-” He cut me off with a wave of his hand.

“Do you know why I pulled you over, son?” I got agitated. “Because I’m trying to save my friend?” At this point, he looked into the car. His brown eyes widened as he realized Ciera desperately needed help.

“I’ll escort you. Stay behind me.” He said, running to his patrol car and turned on his sirens. I rolled the up the window and glanced at her. If she hadn’t been encrusted with blood, she almost would have looked peaceful. The officer sped down the road and I followed closely. We got to the hospital and he tried to take her in.

“No. I’ve got this. I’m staying with her to make sure she gets cared for,” I demanded, slamming my car door shut and jolting to the other side, lifting her. I sprinted in through the hospital’s front doors.

“Somebody… Help me!” My voice cracked. Several heads swiveled toward me and twice as many eyes widened in shock. A woman said some sort of code over the intercom and nurses rushed toward me with a gurney.

“What happened to her?” One of them asked me in a calm manner.

“We were biking for gym class and she got hit by a car. I didn’t see the driver or the license plate.” A man took her from my arms. I almost hadn’t let him, but I knew she needed to be taken at this point. I jogged along with the nurses as they charged down the hallway. One of them stopped, and turned toward me.

“Kid, I know you want to stay with her but we’re going to have to do emergency operations and you can’t be in the operating room.” She said. I felt all of the blood rush out of my face.

“Please…” I asked, trying to get around her. She held me in place by my shoulders.

“She’s in good hands.” With that, she took off down the hall after the others.

“Ciera…” I whispered.