Bill of Human Wrongs

The rain was relentless, making the visibility dangerous. Rachel’s thoughts went back to the strange conversation she’d had with Claire. And Eve. She remembered how she’d reacted to that story, but was coming around. It wasn’t possible, and yet Claire hadn’t told her how excited her friend, Tony had been until tonight.

She saw the stop light turn red ahead, and put her foot on the brakes.

No response.

She began pumping as fear flashed through her. “God, no!” She heard the devastating sound of the car slamming into something before hitting her head on the steering wheel. The emergency bag burst open to protect her, but she was already unconscious. The car she rammed into was void of passengers, just a car sitting on the side of the road, a car that was now totaled, the metal crumpled the way a can of beer implodes when crushing it for its next life of recycling.

Some time later, Rachel regained consciousness. She saw the puffy bag that hung loosely around her body, its gassy insides having escaped after doing its job to protect her. She knew her phone was on the passenger seat. She moved her arm ever so slowly, reaching to grasp it. She could hear the rain thrashing on the windows. Finally, she had it in her possession and hit the emergency key that dialed 911.

“I’ve been in an accident, send an ambulance.” Her voice sounded weak, talking through her pain.

“Yes, Madam. I have your coordinates, there will be help in a few minutes. Can you stay on the phone with me?”

“Yes.” She couldn’t move.

Soon she heard sirens, and sat motionless, waiting.

The medics were efficient in getting her out of the car, and into the ambulance. The police were on the scene.

“Lady, you got a purse in there?”

Rachel couldn’t move, they’d restrained her head with a neck brace. But she could think. “Please, my phone and a pink gift bag. I need those things.”