AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"What...Sarah?" she says, her voice panicked. "What happened?"
"She was in a car accident," I say. "Please help her. I can't...I can't lose her."
Reagan gestures for us to follow her inside, and she and the receptionist spring to action. They've only got a small clinic in Fern Hollow, but it makes me feel better that Reagan is just as committed to saving her friend as I am. As they rush Sarah to the back room, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. At least she's in good hands now. I slump down in a nearby chair, running my hands through my hair. Johnny comes up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I can't believe this is happening," he says, his voice strained.
I shake my head, feeling numb. "Me neither. I just hope she's gonna be okay."
We sit in silence for a few moments, waiting for any news. When Reagan finally comes out of the back room, my heart is pounding in my chest.
"She's stable," Reagan says, her voice low. "But she's still unconscious. We need to keep an eye on her for the next few hours."
I exhale a deep breath of relief. "Thank god."
Reagan nods. "Do you know what she was doing out there?"
"I think she was looking for me," I say, shaking my head. "Fuck, Reagan...if I lose her..."
"You won't," Reagan interrupts. "She's a fighter, you know that. She'll pull through."
I nod, knowing that Reagan is right. Sarah is one of the strongest people I know, but seeing her lying there, unconscious and hurt, is a reminder that anything can happen at any moment. Life is fragile, and it can be taken away in an instant.
I stay at the clinic with Sarah for the rest of the night, refusing to leave her side even when Reagan insists that I should get some rest. I sit in the chair beside her bed, holding her hand and watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. It's a slow and steady rhythm, and it brings me comfort to know that she's still alive.
As the hours pass, the storm outside subsides, and the rain stops falling. The moon illuminates the room in a soft glow, casting light on Sarah's pale face. I take a deep breath and lean my head back, closing my eyes.
Then I hear her voice.
"Jake?"
I snap my head up to find her gazing at me through bleary eyes, her brow furrowed. The heart monitor beeps steadily, reminding me that she's alive--that she's strong and she's going to get through this.
"Sarah, thank God you're awake," I whisper, leaning forward and taking her hand. "I was so worried."
"I was..." she pauses. "I was coming to find you. What happened?"
"You were in an accident," I say. "You totaled your car out on the highway--it was slippery and you drove into the woods. It was pure luck that I found you on our way back from the worksite."
Sarah's eyes widen as she takes this all in. "Oh my God. I don't remember any of that."
"It's okay," I reassure her. "You're safe now. You're in the clinic, and you're going to be okay."
Sarah nods, and I can see the fear in her eyes begin to dissipate. "Thank you," she whispers.
I squeeze her hand. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere."
Sarah smiles weakly, and we sit in comfortable silence for a few moments. The heart monitor beeps steadily in the background, and I feel a sense of peace settle over me. Despite the chaos and danger of the storm outside, in this room, with Sarah safe and alive, everything feels right.
Chapter twenty-three
Sarah
JakeisgonewhenI wake up.
I blink my eyes and look around at the clinic, still a little fuzzy on how I ended up here. I can remember getting in my car in town, driving up to the worksite...then waking up here in the middle of the night, Jake at my side.
I can't believe I made such a stupid mistake. The whole time, I thought he was the one taking risks--and thenIalmost got myself killed.
