Crunching metal deafens me as my body aches each time my side hits the ground.Finally, we come to a stop after what feels like minutes of rolling.The car wobbles on its roof as burnt rubber fills my nostrils, making my eyes water.
Oh God, I inwardly groan.
Blood rushes to my head as a throbbing in my skull kicks up.It’s worse than I ever thought it possibly could be after this morning.
When I hit the brakes, I didn’t expect this.I didn’t expect to go tumbling off the road.
“Paisley,” I hear roared when everything becomes clear.Dust, dirt and smoke fill the car as I try to find where the sound is coming from.
“Summer,” Reid screams.“Talk to us.”
I feel like my head is conjuring up his voice, knowing I need him right now.
Something compressing on my chest makes every breath painful when I try to unclip the belt.Paisley.I have to get to Paisley.She dangles in much the same position as me, except her hands are pressed against the roof as she tries to hold herself up.“Paisley,” I choke out, feeling lightheaded.“Are you okay?Paisley?”
Tears sting my eyes because I shouldn’t have stopped like that.I should have let the police do their job.
“I’m okay,” she assures me, her voice shaky.
“I’m sorry.I’m so sorry.I didn’t know,” I choke out, trying to reach for her.
“I’m...I’m okay.But you’re bleeding,” she warns me, and I feel her hand reach up to touch my head.
I glance her way to see her move her hand, which comes away covered in blood.Our hair brushes along the roof of the car when I move to get a better look outside.The window screen is covered in what has to be weeds.I try the belt again, needing to get it unclipped so we can get out.
“How far did we roll?”I question.
“It was five times,” Paisley replies, reaching for her own seat belt.“I think we are near the tiny stream.I can hear water.It’s probably why we rolled the way we did.”
“I’m sorry.I braked,” I rasp, not blaming her if she never forgives me.“It was so stupid.”
“Don’t be.He was going to hit us anyway,” she points out softly.“I think it probably helped that you braked otherwise we might have been thrown further.We had to stop him so the police could get him.”
Sirens and voices fill the air.“Summer?”Reid roars.“Summer?Paisley?”
“Are you hurt?”Landon barks.“Goddammit, Paisley, answer me.”
“Stop yelling,” she whimpers.“My head hurts.”
“Let us fucking through,” Reid barks.“That’s my girlfriend and sister down there.”
“You’re really here?”I ask, feeling so much relief, tears slip down my cheeks.“Reid, you need to help Paisley.”Smoke seemed thicker her side.
I flinch when something hits the car, making a loud sound.I hear footsteps in the grass next, but I still scream when a hand reaches for me through the window.
“Hey, Sunshine, it’s me.It’s just me,” Reid assures me.“I’m going to get you out.”
I stare into his eyes, seeing how freaked out he is.“I’m okay.I’m really okay, but I can’t get the belt off.”
“Normally we wouldn’t risk moving you, but the engine is smoking,” he warns me.
We?
I turn back to check on Paisley and see Landon lying on his stomach, sticking his head through the broken window.“I got you, baby.I got you,” Landon soothes Paisley.
I glance back at Reid, grabbing his wrist when he goes to touch me.Black dots fill my vision.“I need you not to freak out,” I whisper, so I don’t freak Paisley out more than she already is.
His eyes soften as he scans my face.“Too late, Sunshine.I’m already freaked out.”
