Accidentally His

The city streets were slick with rain, and the glow of streetlights reflected off puddles like fractured glass. She had just finished her late night shift at the café, exhausted and worried about her father. His surgery had been delayed for months, two years actually, because they could not afford it and, right now, hospital bills are piling up faster than she could pay. Her father was the only parent she had since she lost her mother to breast cancer when he was younger. He singlehandedly took care of her and has been there for her all her life. Every day she felt the weight of it pressing down on her chest, and tonight she just wanted to get home and breathe. But fate had other plans. The sound of screeching tires shattered the quiet night. She turned around to see a car skidding uncontrollably before slamming into a streetlight. Without thinking twice, she ran towards it, with her heart pounding and adrenaline making her legs move faster than her fear. Inside, a man slumped over the wheel, blood streaking his forehead. “Sir! Sir, Stay with me!” she shouted, shaking his shoulder gently. His eyes fluttered open just long enough to meet hers. For a moment, she saw the sharpness of his face, the bruised skin, the helplessness in his gaze and then darkness claimed him. Gripping the steering wheel, she scrambled to unbuckle him and drag him out safely. She stopped a passing taxi, and rushed him to the nearest hospital. Nurses took over immediately, stabilizing him, and she disappeared before anyone could ask questions. No name, no number, just a silent hope that he’d survive.