Page 22

The brakes screech as the car hurtles toward me, and I brace for the impact, knowing it’s going to hit me. I can hear the frantic screaming as the car smashes into me, and I land on the bonnet before it comes to a stop as the car locks up, flinging me off the bonnet and onto the ground. My hands bite into the road, and my skin tears off as I skid across it, the wind being knocked from my lungs at the impact.

“God, that fucking hurt,” I wheeze out to myself.

Bella screams as she rushes over to me as I crawl on my hands and knees. Thank god this is a shared zone, and the speed limit is only 40kms/hour. The driver frantically races over to me, hysterically crying, all shaken up. I feel hands wrap around my waist, helping me stand, my knees and hands torn to shreds. Besides, I am going to have a wicked bruise on my hip.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry. I didn’t see him. He came out of nowhere,” the blonde woman frantically cries, worried.

I wave her off; I was a little bruised but okay. I realize the person who’s picked me off the ground is Eli as he holds me steady. I look at the little boy, his mother frantically checking him, but he looks fine besides being a little startled.

“I’m fine, sorry to startle you,” I tell the woman, and she seems shaken, her face streaked with tears.

“I’m fine, really,” I tell her as she looks between me and her car.

The boy’s mother rushes over, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing me, sobbing her eyes out.

“I am sorry. I only let his hand go for a second… Thank you, thank you,” she gushes as she sobs.

“It’s fine. I saw him standing next to you. It is not your fault,” I tell her, and she rushes back to her son, next to whom Cyrus is standing, an indecipherable look on his face. Eli holds my elbow, walking me to the side of the road, and the traffic starts moving again. Bella is holding my bag that she has retrieved off the road.

“You should go to the hospital,” she says as she kneels beside me. I sit on the garden bed.

“I’m fine. Mom will take care of me when I get home,” I tell her, and she nods, knowing my mother is a registered nurse.

“Why would you do that?” Cyrus asks, coming over, his tone angry.

“What do you mean? He nearly got hit by a car?” I ask, confused by his words.

“Yes, but you did, and now you’re hurt,” he says, and I can’t understand his anger.

Bella looks at him, appalled by his words.

“He is just a kid,” she says, defending me, and he glares at her.

“Exactly, you could have died. That was the stupidest thing I have seen someone do. Put themselves willingly in danger for someone else,” he snaps at me. Eli grabs his arm.

“It was an accident, Cyrus. I am fine. Besides, he is just a kid. His life is more important,” I tell him, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of this argument. What was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch him die? A car going at that speed could kill him. Me? Not so much. Besides making me feel like I have just been skinned because of this blessed skirt I chose to wear today.

“More important? How can you say that? You don’t even know him.”

“I can say that because he is a child. A child’s life is always more important than that of an adult’s, Cyrus. Seriously, you’re making out I did something wrong?”

“Why is his life more important?” he demands.

“Cyrus, settle down,” Eli warns him.

“Because I have had a life. His life is just starting out. Just leave if you’re going to be a jerk about it,” I tell him, hopping up. My legs are burning from the gravel rash.

“I really don’t understand these people… this… Argh!” He storms off toward the office again, making me and Bella look at each other.

What is his problem?

Eli still has a hold of my elbow, and I shake him off. “I am fine. I am just going to go home.”

“I will drive you,” he says, taking my bag from Bella and grabbing my keys.

Bella looks around nervously.

“I’m fine, Bella, really. Go get your lunch,” I tell her, nudging her. She reluctantly leaves me, and I make my way back to the office after removing my now-broken heels.