Page 16 of Speed

The drivers went by for one more pace lap and you could both see and feel their impatience. It mirrored mine. I was eager for Axel to win, and eager to celebrate with him after.

Then I saw the green flag waving, and the cars came flying by. Axel pulled out ahead of the pack and I jumped up and cheered.

It was an exciting race right from the start. There were several big moves by other drivers, but Axel managed to maintain his lead until his first pit stop. I couldn't see the pits from my seat, and I got nervous when the cars came around and Axel wasn't with them, even though I knew it was about time for him to make a stop for refueling and tire changes. A man behind me was live streaming race coverage on his phone, and I leaned back to overhear confirmation; Axel was refueling. As the commentator speculated about when other lead drivers would make their stops, I saw green #27 fly by me, and I released the breath I'd been holding in.

Axel regained his lead when other drivers made their stops, but somehow Velasquez had made big gains, and soon he was right on Axel's tail as the two cars flew by me. They were neck and neck for two more laps, and then, when I was expecting them again, they didn't come around. I squinted down the track, trying to catch sight of them, but saw nothing. Soon after, I saw a yellow flag waving. Sometimes the yellow caution flag can mean there is debris on the track, and the drivers need to go slow until it's cleared, but with Axel's absence, and the fact that he shouldn't be in need of another pit stop yet, I immediately assumed the worst: an accident.

I didn't bother eavesdropping this time; I turned fully around and tugged on the knee of the man watching the broadcast. "What's happened to Beckers?"

The man glanced at me, then back at his phone. Only seconds passed, but it felt like hours, as I stared desperately at him, watching his face for an indication of what had happened. The crowd had gotten loud and I couldn't hear the commentator on the broadcast. Finally he answered, "Accident," and turned his phone's screen toward me. I went completely cold, my heart dropping into my stomach, when I saw a replay of spinning orange and sliding green.

I was up before I saw any more. I hastily excused myself as I bumped past others in my row and raced down toward the tunnel that would take me to the infield. I flashed my press pass, so grateful that I'd planned ahead to get it, even though this was not how or why I'd envisioned myself using it.

There were people everywhere. When I realized I had no idea where to go, I found a security guard and asked him where I could find the medical center. Then I weaved in and out of the crowd and moved quickly in the direction he'd indicated. I wasn't sure if Axel would still be onsite or if he'd have been taken to a hospital. I'd seen a few terrible accidents while watching races, and I'd heard about many others, even fatal ones. I knew the cars were equipped with safety features, but at two hundred miles per hour… anything could happen.

There were more guards at the medical center, and a buzz of activity. It looked like something important was happening inside; crowds were thick where they were permitted. I pushed my way through toward the building's entrance. I knew my press pass wouldn't work here, and was glad I had another card to play.

I yelled out to the guard by the door, "Is Axel Beckers inside? I need to see him. I'm his sister. Stepsister," I amended.

The guard stepped closer and I repeated my request. He asked for my name and then communicated with someone through a two-way radio. I had no idea if this was going to work, and along with my silent prayers that Axel was okay, I added a request that I be allowed in to see him.

After several long minutes, the guard received notice, waved me toward him, and opened the door for me. "End of the hall. Make a right," he said, before he stepped back out.

There was also a buzz of activity inside the medical center, though it was much quieter and calmer. I hurried down the hall, afraid of what I'd be seeing, but reassured by the fact that I'd been let in, and that Axel was here and not already in an ambulance being taken away.

There were a few people clustered at the end of the hall, and they moved aside as I approached. I looked to the right and saw Axel on an exam table. Two medics were attending to him, but after a quick glance, he appeared to be okay. He was conscious, sitting upright, and the parts of his body I could see appeared unharmed. And he was staring right at me in disbelief.

I wanted to run to him and embrace him, but there was a woman crouched in front of him examining his legs and a man next to him listening to his heart.

"Axel, are you okay?" I was breathless.

"Kayla? What are you doing here?"

I just shook my head. I had to fight back tears that came with the rush of relief at seeing him alive and seemingly well. I looked down at the medic checking his legs. She was pressing at spots on his feet and gently rotating his ankle. His calves were bare where his uniform had been cut away. Nothing looked broken or bleeding but she was doing a thorough check.

"What happened?" I asked.

Axel started to speak but the doctor at his side interrupted him. "We should be done checking you out in a few minutes. Everything's looking good so far."

"I'm fine," Axel said, his tone quick with impatience.

The doctor turned to me. "If you could wait in the hall, we'll finish up with him and then you can talk."

As I turned, Axel called my name. "Kayla, don't leave."

I smiled at him and shook my head. "I won't. I promise."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. Axel and I were never alone, so we didn't talk about us, though his eyes were full of questions every time he looked at me. I found out what had happened on the track—Velasquez had tried to pass Axel but cut him off and ended up in a spin. Axel swerved to avoid hitting him, lost control and veered off into the infield. Luckily neither of them were hurt badly, and both had walked away from the accident.

Axel was pissed, and I sensed that he'd have been much angrier if he wasn't distracted by my presence. I did my best to fade into the background though, as he attended team meetings, interviews, and other debriefings. He checked in with me when he could, and asked me if I would have dinner with him when it was all over. We made plans for him to drive me back to my hotel first so that I could shower and change.

When he was finally free to go, Axel and I walked to his car. Instead of making any move to get it, he stopped by the passenger door and turned to face me.

"Why did you come, Kayla?"

"I got your letter."

"Oh, yeah?" His tone became cool. "And I got your package."