A Time with you

A sunny day

Chapter 1: A sunny day

The sun reflected off the surface of the water, creating sparkles as the car sped along the highway on the bridge. Anna and her mom enjoyed the sight of the clear blue sky ahead. Anna sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window, watching the water shimmering far below them. The air felt peaceful. Her mother, smiling, glanced over at her briefly.

You seem quiet today, she said, her voice light. “Excited to meet up with your dad and Ethan at the park?”

Anna nodded, turning to face her.

Yeah, I’m just thinking about what to do when we get there. Maybe Ethan will want to race with me again, she said with a light smile.

Her mom chuckled, her fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. You always beat him, and he gets so mad about it. I’m sure he’ll want to try again.

“I’ll let him win this time,” Anna teased. Or maybe not. It’s so much fun watching him get all competitive.

They both laughed, the warmth of their voices filling the car. The plan was simple—an afternoon in the park with her dad and little brother. A picnic, a game of tag, and maybe even ice cream later. Just a peaceful family day.

“I’m glad we’re doing this today,” her mom said after a moment, her eyes softening as she looked ahead at the road. “It’s been a while since we had time to relax like this.”

Anna turned toward her, about to reply, when something caught her eye. A flash of movement—a small figure darting onto the road ahead.

“Mom!” she screamed.

Her mom’s gaze shot forward, her eyes widening in panic. A little boy, not older than eight years, had run out onto the road, chasing something that seemed like a butterfly. Her mother yanked the steering wheel to the side, her foot slamming on the brake, the screech of tires deafening in the air. Anna’s heart raced, everything slowing down as the car veered off the road, skidding toward the railings.

The world blurred, the only sound in Anna’s ears was the pounding of her heart and the screech of metal against the pavement. She felt weightless for a moment, everything spinning out of control, before everything went black.

Faint sounds drifted in and out as Anna slowly regained consciousness. The blaring sirens of an ambulance, paramedics, and the sharp smell of antiseptic filled the air. She blinked, her vision hazy, everything feeling surreal.

Through her half-lidded eyes, she saw figures moving around her. A stretcher passed by, and for a moment, she thought she saw her mom lying on it—still, unable to move. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest, but she couldn’t find the strength to speak.

“Mom…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A paramedic leaned over her, his voice calm but urgent. Don’t try to move. We’re getting you both to the hospital. Just hold on.

Anna’s head felt heavy, and darkness crept in at the edges of her vision again. The last thing she saw was her mother’s pale face, her body limp on the stretcher as they lifted her into the ambulance.

When Anna awoke again, the first thing she noticed was the cold, sterile scent of the hospital room. Her head throbbed, and her entire body ached. Slowly, she sat up; her heart racing as memories of the accident came flooding back.

She looked around the room, her eyes landing on her father sitting by her bedside, his face etched with worry. “Dad?” she croaked, her throat dry.

Her father’s eyes snapped up at her, relief flooding his face. Anna, thank God. You’re awake, he said, leaning forward to grasp her hand.

“Where’s Mom?” Anna asked, her voice trembling.

Her father hesitated, his expression tightening as he glanced toward the door. She’s… she’s in another room, sweetheart.

The doctors are doing everything they can.

The door creaked open, and a nurse stepped inside, giving them both a sympathetic look. “You’re doing well, Anna,” she said softly. “I’ll get the doctor to explain everything to you both soon.”

But Anna barely heard her. She wanted to see her mother. Without waiting for her father to speak, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, pushing herself to stand, despite the wave of dizziness that hit her.

“Anna, wait—” her father started, but she was already moving.

Together, they made their way down the hall, the sounds of the hospital fading into a blur. When they reached her mother’s room, Anna stopped at the door, her breath catching in her throat.

Her mother lay on the bed, motionless, with tubes connected to various machines. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor filled the room, and the sight of the oxygen mask covering her mother’s face made Anna’s heart break.

She’s… in a vegetative state, her father whispered, his voice breaking. “The doctors aren’t sure if she’ll wake up.”

Tears filled Anna’s eyes as she approached the bed, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch her mother’s arm.

The warmth was still there, but her mother didn’t stir. “Mom,” she whispered, her voice barely holding together, “please wake up.”

Her father wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. We’re going to keep hoping, Anna. She’s strong. She’ll fight.

But as Anna stood there, staring at her mother’s still form, a deep sense of helplessness settled over her. This wasn’t how the day was supposed to go. They were supposed to be in the park, laughing, playing with Ethan, and eating ice cream. Not here. Not like this.

Later that day, two police officers came to speak with Anna about the accident. She sat in a small room with her father beside her, her fingers twisting in her lap.

Can you tell us what you remember about the accident? One of the officers asked gently.

Anna took a deep breath, trying to piece together the events. “We were driving to the park… to meet my dad and brother,” she started. “There was a boy… he ran into the road, and my mom swerved to avoid him.”

The officer nodded, jotting down notes. “And after the car veered off the road, what do you remember?”

Anna frowned, her memory of what happened next fuzzy. I… I don’t know. I blacked out, I think. I just remember hearing the ambulance… seeing my mom on the stretcher.

The second officer exchanged a glance with his partner before turning back to her. Anna, when the paramedics found you, you weren’t in the car. You were found on the shore, away from the water where the car landed.

Her eyes widened in confusion. What? How is that possible? I don’t remember getting out.

The officer’s expression softened. Do you recall anything else? Anything at all?

Anna hesitated, a strange feeling rising in her chest. I don’t remember much, but… it felt like someone pulled me out. I thought it was a dream, but… it felt real, like an angel or something.

Her father squeezed her hand, his brow furrowed in concern. The officers exchanged another glance before nodding.

“Thank you, Anna. If anything else comes to mind, let us know, the officer said, standing up to leave.

As the door closed behind them, Anna sat in silence, her mind swirling with the strange details. Found at the shore? She hadn’t imagined being saved… had she?

Her heart pounded as she thought back to that brief moment of consciousness—the warmth of unseen hands lifting

her, pulling her to safety. Something, or someone, had saved her. But who? Or what?