Entangled In Storm

Chapter 3: The Crash

When we arrived at the carnival, the place was packed with lots of people and their kids. We knew because it was our birthday, we would get to do anything that we wanted and we intended to fully utilise that opportunity.

“What do you think we should do first, Haze?” Hannah asked me.

“I have no idea. There are so many options!” I squealed.

“How about we try the rollercoaster first and then the pendulum ride next?”

“That sounds awesome!”

We turned to our parents and asked them if we could. They agreed and we all went there together.

We got on the rollercoaster and Hannah held my hand all through because she knew I was scared. She was always braver than me. Sort of like my braver half.

When we were through with all the rides, we started to try out different snacks. We got the cotton candy first, then we tried the strawberry slushies, then ice cream, and milkshakes. We were determined to stuff ourselves with as much as possible because we knew the next opportunity we’d have would probably be a long time coming.

“Now, kids don’t overdo it. Remember, we still have a picnic after this.”

When evening came, our parents told us it was time to go. We weren’t disappointed because we had done everything we wanted to do.

We got to the park when it was almost getting dark. We also did this every year, we got there when it was dark so we could chase the fireflies. My mom always made our favourite meal of Macaroni and cheese with fried chicken.

My mom spread the blanket on the floor and we sat down to eat as my father recounted the story of the day we were born, just like he did every year.

“I was at work when I got the call from the hospital that your mother was in labour. I dropped everything I was doing, got in the car and rushed to the hospital. I still don’t know how I got there safely, because, with the speed at which I was driving, I could have died. Your mom was already fully dilated by the time I arrived and she was ready to give birth. I stood by her side even though she threw a lot of insults at me due to her pain. ‘This is your fault, you i***t. You did this to me!’” We laughed as he imitated my mother and she rolled her eyes in response. “I was not offended because I knew it was the pain that was talking. I held her hand while she pushed and pushed. Hannah came out and she was the most precious thing ever. Her beautiful green eyes stared at me and she started to cry. A loud wail. While the nurses took care of her, I stayed by your mother’s side while she prepared to bring Hazel into the world. Thirty minutes later, Hazel arrived. Both of you were so beautiful and so identical. That day, I felt like I had won the lottery as I watched your mother hold the two of you. I knew at that moment that I was the luckiest man in the world. A gorgeous wife and two beautiful daughters that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

We had heard the story countless times, but we were still moved to tears. That was because of the look in my Dad’s eyes when he told it. He had so much love for us and we never doubted it.

The night had come to an end and it was time for us to leave. I was exhausted but it had been the best day of my life. I knew before we would fall asleep that night, my sister and I would talk about everything that happened that day.

Only, we never made it home that night.

***

The truck came out of nowhere before we could see it, my Dad had lost control of the steering wheel. He tried to step on the breaks but it was too late. Hannah was asleep beside me. She was always a heavy sleeper. Regardless of the havoc, she never stirred. I thought about waking her up but I decided that I should probably let her sleep.

But when my mom screamed, she opened her eyes immediately and that was when the crash happened. The last thing I heard before everything went dark was my mom screaming. The last thing I saw wasmy sister’s green eyes filled with fear staring at me.

Everything remained dark for several days. I thought I had died, but on a special day seven days later, I opened my eyes. The room I was in was very bright and I struggled to see as my eyes were adjusting to the light. I turned my stiff neck to the side.

“Thank God, you’re awake. Welcome back.” She said with a smile on her face.

“What happened? Where am I? Where’s my mom, my dad, my sister?” All the questions rushed out of me before I could stop them.

The nurse's smile turned sad. “Try to get some rest, honey. A doctor will be in to check in on you.” I didn’t miss the fact that she didn’t answer any of my questions.

I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong and my family members were probably getting their treatment in their rooms. I remembered the accident, I just didn’t remember how I got to the hospital.

Five minutes later, the doctor walked in to check on me. “How are you feeling?” He asked.

“I am okay. I just have a headache.”

“That’s not unusual. You have been in a coma for 7 days, I will get the nurse to give you medication for that and you will be okay.”

“Uhm… thanks. What about my family?” I asked.

Just then a middle-aged woman whom I had never seen before in my life walked in. She looked like a school teacher in her suit and her red hair tied in a tight bun. We wore square-ish glasses that made her look too serious, although she wore a small smile on her face.