The dirt was now a mix of puddles and slick mud as rain was gushing from the sky.
Lightning cracked again, and the horse threw himself up. Marty lost his footing, and like it was all happening in slow motion, the horse went over backward. He collapsed on top of Colton.
The screen went to a blur of mud and rain.
The announcer was yelling something I couldn’t understand.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.
My legs gave out, and I felt my body hit the floor with athud.
~~~
“Allegra! Can you hear me?”
“Should I call an ambulance?”
“Let’s get her some water!”
I was on the cold floor. My vision was hazy, sounds muffled, and my head was killing me. “Did he get up?” I mumbled.
Oh gosh. Tell me he got up.
“Sweetie, can you hear me?” Martha asked again.
I squeezed my eyes together tightly and took some deep breaths. I had to force my senses to work again, for my body to comply with my brain.
Finally, the bar came back into focus, and I could make out the face hovering over me.
Martha was an inch above me, her gray curls tickling my nose. “Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?”
I forced myself to sit up. I needed to see the screen. I had to see Colton.
The whole bar was silent, all eyes on me and my drama.
The bartender was kneeling beside me, holding a glass of water.
I looked up at the T.V.s
The screen was black.
“I need my phone,” I commanded Martha, my voice so shaky I could barely get the words out.
“Allegra-”
“I need my phone!” I wailed.
She reached ontothe countertop and handed me my phone.
I had to wipe my sweaty hands on my dress twice until I could finally use my phone properly. My trembling fingers clicked on Jo’s contact, and I held the phone up to my ear.
It rang and rang and rang. Every noise felt like a hammer beating against my skull.
Martha was sitting on the floor by me now, her long nails running up and down my back.
“Pick up,” I muttered, my voice cracking. “Jo, please pick up.”
The line clicked, but I wasn’t greeted with a “hello.” There was only the sound of screaming wind, a distant siren, and Jo’s ragged, hysterical breathing.
