A red car.
His heart slammed violently against his ribs as recognition hit.
“Mia…” His voice broke.
He floored the accelerator.
The engine growled as his car surged forward. The distance between them shrank rapidly, his pulse thundering in his ears. Wind rushed past as he rolled down his window, leaning halfway out.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he shouted, his voice slicing through the night. “Slow down! You’re going to get yourself killed!”
Mia kept her eyes fixed on the road, but she turned her head just enough for him to see her face through the window—pale, stricken, terror etched into every line.
“Mr. Graves,” she called back, her voice trembling. “The brakes—they aren’t working. I tried so many times, but the speed keeps increasing. What should I do?”
Her hands were locked around the steering wheel, fingers rigid, as if letting go would send her spiraling out of control.
Alexander’s chest seized with panic.
“Don’t panic,” he shouted, though his own heart felt like it was tearing itself apart. He fumbled for his phone, nearly dropping it as he called her again.
This time, she picked up.
“Put it on speaker,” he ordered, his voice tight but steady.
She did.
“Listen to me,” he said sharply, forcing his voice to stay steady even as his chest heaved. One hand gripped the steering wheel, the other clenched around his phone. “I’m going to drive ahead. There’s a turn up the road. I’ll be there.”
Through the speaker, she could hear his uneven breathing, each inhale too fast, too tight.
“I need you to drive your car against the side of mine, okay?” he continued, eyes locked on the road as he accelerated. “It’ll damage your car. Mine will hit the wall. But you’ll be safe. The car will stop.”
“No!” Mia cried, her head shaking violently. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the road ahead. “Mr. Graves, I’m not going to crash into you!”
“You have to listen to me right now,” Alexander snapped, knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip. “There’s nothing else we can do. Emergency services won’t reach us in time—this is a highway. This is our only chance.”
She shook her head harder, sobs breaking out of her. Her hands trembled as she fought to keep the wheel straight.
“Please—don’t do this—”
“Mia.” His voice broke, just for a heartbeat. “I need you to trust me.” He swallowed hard. “Do exactly what I tell you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Ahead, the split in the road came into view.
Alexander surged forward, the engine roaring as he positioned his car precisely where it needed to be, aligning himself with her lane. His pulse thundered in his ears.
Her speed kept climbing.
“I can’t stop!” she screamed, her foot slamming uselessly against the brake.
“I know,” he said, voice tight but unwavering. “That’s why you’re going to hit me.”
Mia’s car lurched wildly. No matter how many times she pumped the brakes, the speed refused to drop. The road rushed toward her in a blur of lights and shadows.
“I don’t want to hurt you!” she cried, sobbing openly now. “Please don’t get in my way!”
“Do it!” Alexander shouted. “Don’t argue with me right now—we don’t have time!”
