Thirty three: Emergency

Travis 

The car drove to a stop just behind the crashed vehicle.

It was Mr. Alvarez's car—A black SUV.

My heart stopped as his door flew open.

I hid behind the tree and watched.

He got out of the car, along with his bodyguard, while his driver sat still in the car.

“Whose car is it?” He asked as he got closer to observe the damaged car.

The bodyguard walked around to take a closer look. And that was when he saw the body that was good as lifeless on the floor.

“Sir…” his bodyguard called his attention.

I closed my eyes tight, knowing what the bodyguard was going to say.

“What is it?” Mr. Alvarez asked, looking impatient.

“It’s your son.”

For a brief moment, relief was standing to come upon me that someone was here who could help Carlos.

But that relief disappeared almost immediately when I saw the look on Mr. Alvarez's face.

He wasn't simply worried.

He looked terrified.

He stepped toward the wrecked car, then stopped.

His eyes widened.

“No…”

The word came out almost like a whisper.

His bodyguard rushed around the vehicle and followed him.

Mr. Alvarez stared at the wreckage as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Then he moved closer.

“Carlos…” His voice cracked.

I had never heard him sound like that before.

The bodyguard tried to hold him back, but Mr. Alvarez pushed his hand away.

His knees dropped down while he carried Carlos' head up to his hands.

His hands were shaking.

His entire body went still.

“Carlos…”

His voice was barely audible.

”My son.” He cried.

There was something in his voice that made my chest hurt. Something that made me blame myself.

He reached forward carefully, touching Carlos's shoulder.

“Carlos, can you hear me?”

No answer came from where I was.

Mr. Alvarez's breathing became heavier.

“Carlos!”

He looked around desperately.

Checking his pulse, he yelled “Call an ambulance!”

His bodyguard immediately pulled out his phone.

“Already calling, sir.”

“Tell them to hurry!” Mr. Alvarez's voice was urgent.

“Yes, sir.”

Mr. Alvarez looked back at his son.

His face had changed.

The anger that usually seemed to follow him everywhere was gone.

For the first time, he looked like nothing more than a father who had just realized that his child might be slipping away.

“I’m sorry. I should have never let you come. It's all my fault.” His voice trembled at his confession.

He couldn't stop blaming himself.

“Why?”

I couldn't stop blaming myself.

He brushed some broken glass away from Carlos's face.

“I told you to be careful.”

He swallowed.

“I told you not to drive like this.”

His eyes became red.

Then he shook his head.

“No.”

I was starting to wonder what he meant by Carlos driving?

It appears to me that Carlos doesn't know how to drive. I've seen that earlier.

Could that be the really he carelessly ran Stephanie over?

This however, wasn't him driving. It was me, so I still share the blame.

I've never killed anyone before. Even though I had wished death for the killer of my girlfriend, it was not like this. 

This is too awful.

Please survive this Carlos, then we can do this the lawful way.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

To be honest, I was crying more than his father.

He looked down at Carlos.

“Maybe I should have listened to you and allowed you not to come.”

His voice broke.

“Maybe I should have stopped you.”

He lowered his head for a moment, his shoulders rising and falling.

“I should have…”

He couldn't finish.

His fist tightened.

“I should have been there.”

I watched silently.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

I'd never seen Mr. Alvarez like that.

He was always powerful.

Always in control.

The kind of man who could walk into a room and make everyone immediately straighten their backs.

But now?

He looked broken.

And somehow, seeing him like that made the accident feel even more real.

This wasn't just a wrecked car.

Someone's son was lying there.

Someone's father was standing beside it, terrified he might lose him.

And I had been in that car too.

I tried to call out for help.

My voice barely existed.

Nothing came out loud enough.

But good would it do? I'd have been spotted anyway and probably killed after recognition.

I leaned harder against the tree and closed my eyes.

Just for a second.

I needed to breathe.

But then I heard Mr. Alvarez again.

“Get him out.”

The bodyguard hesitated.

“Sir, we need to wait for the paramedics.”

“I said get him to the hospital!” Mr. Alvarez's voice exploded.

He grabbed the bodyguard's shirt.

“Get him out carefully. Now."

The bodyguard nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

Mr. Alvarez stepped aside but remained close.

His hands were shaking.

“Careful with his neck.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don't hurt him.”

“I'll be careful.”

Mr. Alvarez looked away.

He pressed a trembling hand against his mouth.

I could see him fighting his emotions.

Then he whispered something.

“I'm sorry.”

I don't know whether he was speaking to Carlos or himself.

“I'm so sorry, son.”

Those words stayed with me.

The bodyguard finally managed to get Carlos into the car.

I couldn't see his face clearly.

I didn't want to.

Something inside me told me that if I saw too much, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

Mr. Alvarez immediately rushed forward.

”Is he breathing?”

“Yes, sir,” the bodyguard replied after taking another look at him.

The older man's eyes widened.

“He's alive?”

“Yes.”

He released a breath so deep it sounded like he'd been holding it for minutes.

“Get him into the vehicle.” Mr. Alvarez commanded.

“Sir, the ambulance—”

“We'll meet them at the hospital.” He snapped and supported holding Carlos.

The bodyguard nodded.

They carried Carlos toward the SUV.

Mr. Alvarez followed closely.

“Careful.” He cautioned while they walked.

Every few steps, he repeated it.

“Careful with him.”

He climbed into the vehicle beside his son.

Before the door closed, he looked back at the wreckage.

His expression hardened.

Whoever had caused this accident, whatever had happened...

He was furious.

But beneath that anger was fear.

Fear that he might lose the person he loved.

The SUV's engine roared.

Within seconds, it sped away toward the hospital.

I watched the vehicle disappear down the road.

And suddenly, I was alone.

Completely alone.

The silence returned.

I tried to stand again.

My body shook.

I pushed myself up with both hands.

My knees lifted.

For one second, I thought I could make it.

Then pain ripped through my side.

“Ah!”

I collapsed against the tree.

My breathing became ragged.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't stand. I couldn't even crawl properly.

I looked down at my hands.

They were trembling.

Blood covered my fingers.

My head felt heavy. My eyes burned.

And for the first time since the accident, I allowed myself to admit the truth.

I was scared.

Not the fear of dying. No, not exactly.

I was scared because I didn't know what was going to happen next.

Carlos had been taken away.

Mr. Alvarez had gone with him.

And I was still here.

Behind a tree bleeding to death probably.

Alone.

I tried to move my leg again.

Nothing.

“Come on…” My voice cracked, “Please.”

I gripped the tree as tightly as I could.

But my strength was gone.

My body slowly slid back down until I was sitting on the ground.

I rested my head against the rough bark.

The last thing I saw was the empty road where the SUV had disappeared.

Then everything around me began to blur.

And I wondered how long I could stay conscious.