1 The Fall
80s blues played from the car stereo as Liam drove and nodded his head. It was an exciting day for him. The music was a reminder that he needed to stay positive, to look ahead with expectation. When he looked at the rear view mirror, he wasn't shocked to see how beautiful he was as a man. He had taken extra time in washing his hair with the expensive shampoo he'd gotten last week at the mall. His beards were neatly shaved, his shirt perfectly cleaned and his fluxed teeth were magical. He had to grin at his image.
Liam had always had that dashing impression about himself and enjoyed the satisfaction of being looked at as an icon by the women he came across and the men who thought he his extra good looking nature was a threat to their wives or girlfriends. He chuckled at the thought of it again.
He hadn't driven too far from his mansion when he felt a sudden tear or burst of his tire.
"Oh s**t!" he complained. The car wasn't stopping either even though he tried to control the cars motion. A sudden rush of regret, pain and fear engulfed him; he's been speeding.
Survivor instincts kicked in. He maintained his focus on the road ahead while also looking backwards just to be sure no vehicle was coming. His mind was churning on overdrive, counting the right time to kick the door open and jump out of it when suddenly, his engine started flaming. Fear gripped him like the sting of a bee. If he jumped down now the was no way he's going to survive this slippery slope of doom.
Liam shot his eyes wide open, lips parted, perhaps in silent prayer, but the car didn't stop.
Next was an ear-deafening explosion and a major blackout.
News flew like fire in the city: Multi-millionaire Liam Michealson Attempts Suicide.
Others read: The End of An Era: Millionaire Heir Dies in a Crash.
Car Crash Incident As Multi-millionaire Dies.
***
Liam could sense the presence of someone in the room when he shifted awake. He noticed there was darkness all around him: not a single glimpse of light. He wanted to panic but a warm hand touched him, admonishing him to be calm. In this silence, he could feel the biting pain crawl all over his body, and every shift of his limbs, even a deeper breath, seemed to hurt.
"Where am I?" He asked eventually, voice as still as he could manage.
"A hospital far from the city" the voice said. It was a lady's.
"And who the f**k are you?" He sounded rather harsh.
"Someone who saved your ass when you crashed with no hope of surviving" she reiterated, not at all offended.
He was quiet for a moment then said, "why is everywhere dark?"
"Oh, the accident affected your eyes badly. The doctors said you'll have to take time to recover first."
Liam was quiet for a while again. He wanted to say more, questions running in his mind, yet at the same time, he preferred this evening silence for an extended moment.
"You'll be fine," she tried to assure him.
"How do you know that?"
"Cause I feel so and I am sure."
"This is f****d up."
"Yes that's how life is, Liam."
Shocked, he furrowed his brows, "how do you know my name?"