Page 5 of Pretty Thing

I shake my head despite the uncontrollable shivers racking my body.

“My parents,” I choke. “Please. My parents—help them.”

I lock eyes with him, and his jaw tightens.

“Help is coming, I promise. I can’t help them by myself, but we’re not leaving. We’re safe now, and the worst is already over.”

Sirens have replaced the sound of crunching metal. Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances screech to a stop nearby. The lights never stop flashing. The noises are too loud, and the lights are too bright. It hurts my head. I close my eyes and bury my face into the side of his neck. He smells far too good for the situation, but it’s comforting, like dark spice and rich caramel. The smoke in the air makes me think of camping trips and sitting around the fire.

“Where’s your car?”

“Over toward the other side of the bridge,” he says, not offering any more, and I don’t ask.

“They’re dead…aren’t they? My parents,” I croak.

Felix doesn’t answer, which is enough. I close my eyes as a wave of nausea and dizziness hits.

“The firefighters are heading this way. What’s your name?”

“Eden. Eden Hale,” I whisper.

“Love the name. Try and stay awake,” Felix says and starts to walk.

I don’t want to leave my parents, but I can’t seem to keep my eyes open long enough to protest.

Suddenly, a woman I don’t know is talking, taking my vitals, and shining a light in my eyes. Something around my neck prevents me from turning away.

Felix is standing beside me, his hand gripping mine.

“You’re doing great. Just keep breathing,” the woman says and then looks at Felix. “Are you related?”

“No, she’s…” He pauses. “My girlfriend,” he says, and my eyebrows raise.

I am? I’m lifted, and pain screams through my body as I’m moved off the ground. It seems to be coming from everywhere. My ribs, back, ankle, arm, and head. Everything fades to black as I pass out again.

Snowflakes land on my cheeks. I’m cold and damp when I jerk awake. I’m on a stretcher. Felix is beside me.

We pass by a group of firefighters spraying water on flames. Everything moves so quickly that I can only catch glimpses out of the corner of my eyes.

“Parents,” I say, my eyes locked on Felix’s face. “My parents?”

“The firefighters are at your car now,” he says, and I relax a little. Even if they are already dead, I can’t just leave them here alone.

Felix follows beside me until a paramedic stops him.

“She needs space, and you need to get checked out,” she says.

His hand slips from mine, and panic surges so powerfully that I try to sit up as I yell.

“No.”

Felix stops and looks at me.

“No,” I sob. “Please—don’t let him leave. No…please,” I cry again, and the paramedic looks between us.

“Fine, you can ride with us. But I’m checking you out first.”

“Okay,” Felix says.