Smoke continues to swell out of the crushed engine, and I turn my neck to check if Carter poses any danger, but he’s knocked out. The rise and fall of his chest let me know he’s still alive, despite the blood seeping down his temple.
I close my eyes, willing the pain to ease slightly
A thudding noise clouds my thoughts, and soon all I can hear is a constant thumping as wind gusts in from the field. I’m almost glad for it because it drowns out the sound of the sirens.
Running footsteps make their way to me, and I open my eyes, and there he is. The pain doesn't feel nearly as bad as it did ten seconds ago. Because he’s hurt. His eyes are filled with pain and remorse, and I just want to reach him. I want him to hold me. But he’s scanning my body, reaching an arm through the window to caress my cheek. With his touch, I can finally breathe. He found me. I knew he would.
“Alfie…” I whimper.
“I’m here, love, I’m here. I’m going to get you out, okay? Does anything hurt?”
“My leg.”
He shifts so he can look into the footwell. I follow his line of vision and see my left leg protruding at a funny angle. The leggings have ripped, and I can see the purple bruising of the exposed skin already.
“I don’t think I’m going to fulfill that dream of being a figure skater.” I huff out a chuckle, feeling the blood drain from my face. I’m going to be sick soon. Alfie squeezes my hand, but his face is pinched, no doubt worried he’s in the firing range for some projectile vomiting.
“Love, you look like you’ve gone a round with Tonya Harding. No skating for you today. But I promise, as soon as you’re better, I’m gonna take you out on the ice myself, okay?”
I twist away from him quickly as a hot, sour wave hurls up my throat, the lumpy, acidic liquid spraying over Carter’s legs.
“You’re okay,” I hear Alfie’s soft whispers. He’s holding my hair awkwardly through the window.
Voices descend, and he turns to the paramedics, who are rushing toward him. “Please help her.”
“Sir, I need you to let go of her hand.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper.
He shakes his head, gripping me tighter.
“Sir,” the EMT barks, and he finally lets go, stepping just enough out of the way that they can get to me but close enough that the EMT rolls his eyes.
“Can you tell me your name?”
“Mia.”
“Hi Mia, I’m Rob and this is Hannah. We’re your friendly neighborhood EMTs today.”
“Hi,” I say weakly.
“Tell me what you’re feeling right now.”
“My leg—I think it’s broken.”
He moves to the same position Alfie had a few minutes ago. “Well, we’ll be getting that checked out, but I’d hazard a guess that you’re correct on that count. Are you having any back or neck pain?”
I shake my head.
“Try not to move for me, Mia.”
“Sorry, no pain. I just threw up, and it didn’t hurt.”
“Lucky you. But not lucky for that guy.”
“He deserved it,” Alfie mutters.
Carter stirs beside me, groaning into consciousness as his hand grapples for my thigh.
