Copyright 2024 – Rebecca Nietert
I was 22. I awoke abruptly, my heart pounding, the taste of fear on my tongue. Confusion flooded my mind as I struggled to comprehend my surroundings. Where was I? What had happened? Panic set in as I surveyed the wreckage around me.
The cab of the truck I had been driving was mangled, an unrecognizable mess of twisted metal. Both the front and back were crushed, leaving me trapped within its confines. With each passing second, my terror intensified, knowing that escape seemed impossible.
I frantically attempted to open the door, my hands shaking with adrenaline. But it refused to budge, as though it was mocking my desperate attempts for freedom. I felt a warm wetness on my back and immediately knew that blood was seeping down, painting a macabre picture of the danger I was in.
My gaze shifted to the shattered back window, a small glimmer of hope in the midst of my terror. Summoning every ounce of strength left within me, I willed my body to maneuver through that narrow opening, the fear and pain pushing me onwards.
As I emerged onto the cold, unforgiving ground, the full extent of the wreckage became apparent. It was clear that someone had recklessly crashed into me from behind, propelling my truck into the brick and mortar store ahead. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the force that had caused this devastation.
The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. In that moment, I became acutely aware of the life growing within me. I was pregnant. But the impact had taken that precious gift from me, leaving behind a void that seemed to echo with sorrow.
Dread filled my veins as I surveyed the deserted scene. The person responsible for this horror had vanished. I was left alone, injured and terrified, facing an uncertain fate. Time was against me, fading away with each passing moment.
A sudden rush of pain coursed through my body, jolting me back to the cruel reality of my situation. The blood continued its descent, a chilling reminder of the loss and danger that surrounded me. Morning had arrived quietly, indifferent to the nightmare unfolding before me.
And then, as if surrendering to the weight of my fear, my body gave way. Everything faded into darkness, my exhausted mind seeking respite from the terror that had become my existence.
Reba Nietert 