Stolen Course(90)

“He thought they were both dead,” I whisper, but it only serves to fuel his fire.

“Well he’s a fucking idiot then. It doesn’t take a genius to check for a pulse. You’re not talking me out of this, so please be quiet. He watched all of us fall apart for years without saying a God damn word. Casey at least had the decency to take off and disappear from our lives. Eli has sat in my fucking house pretending to be my friend while keeping this secret. I’m going to kill him!” He bangs his hand on the steering wheel, pushing his truck even faster.

“Please slow—”

Before I can even get another word out, he hits an invisible patch of ice, causing the truck to swerve.

“Caleb!” I scream before the silence takes over.





“EMMA,” I croak out as the ringing in my ears rouses me back to consciousness.

I open my eyes to find my truck lying on the driver’s side. I’m resting against the crushed glass from my window. I painfully turn my head to the side to find Emma hanging lifelessly, suspended by her seatbelt.

“Emma!” I scream, reaching for her, but I can’t quite touch her. I fight against my seatbelt, desperate to get to her. Oh God. “Emma, please. Hang on, sweetheart. I’m coming. I’m coming,” I chant as I struggle to get the damn restraint off.

It’s fucking stuck, and I’m pinned to my seat while Emma might as well be dying inches away from me. She hasn’t moved, and her head is hanging at an unnatural angle. Bile threatens to rise into my throat as I look down at her pregnant stomach being pulled snug by the seatbelt. I’m going to lose them both. I can feel it. The cycle of my life is about repeat itself.

My body finally kicks into gear and a jolt of adrenaline hits me hard, sending strength through my veins.

“Emma!” I yell while frantically pushing and pulling on the buckle of my seatbelt until, with the most magical click I have ever heard, it becomes unstuck.

I kneel up and immediately check for a pulse, ready to start CPR even before I can free her from the truck. I won’t lose them. I’m reclaiming my life here and now. The rhythm of her heart against my fingers rejuvenates me.

The relief is short-lived. She’s still alive, but even as I stroke her face, she doesn’t wake up.

“Are you okay in there?” I hear the voice of a Good Samaritan from outside.

“Call 911!” I scream, continuing to work to get Emma free. “Come on, Emmy. Stay with me,” I plead. “I need help! I need to get her out of here.”

“Can you lift her? I’ll grab her if you can get her up to the door,” The man says.

I can hear him climbing onto the side of the truck and trying to pry open the stuck door. I reach up, pull the lock, and push into his pulls. Together, we manage to get it open.

“I’m getting you out of here,” I say, unclipping her seatbelt before I press her up and out the door, into the arms of a stranger. “Be careful with her. She’s pregnant.” I call out as she disappears.

I reach up and pull myself out of the truck, jumping down to the road and racing to her side.

Someone has covered her with a blanket to keep her warm. I pause just steps away, paralyzed by my memories. I’ve seen a woman I love lying on the side of the road before. It’s only the realization that this one is still breathing that propels me the last few steps to her side.

“Emmy, wake up, sweetheart.” I drop to my knees beside her. My heart is racing as she lies motionless.

In the distance, I hear the sirens screaming. The lights bounce around the darkness as emergency crews surround us. Paramedics nudge me out of the way as they begin to work on her.

“Sir. I need you to step over here.” My body follows the command, but my eyes are unable to stray from Emma. “What’s your name, sir?”

“Caleb Jones.”

“Okay, great. And who is the woman?”

“My wife, Emma Jones.” Her name lodges in my throat as my voice gives out.

Shock has rendered me unable to form coherent thoughts, but all I know is that I need to get back to her. Even four feet away is too far right now.

I turn and head back towards her, only to get pulled away again. “Sir, please. I need you to answer a few questions.”

“Later,” I snap and shake off his touch. “Don’t fucking touch me again.” I resume my stance over Emma, and just as they begin to load her onto the stretcher, her hand clumsily lifts to pull away the oxygen mask. “Emmy!” I shout, and she immediately reaches out to the side, searching for me. “I’ve got you, babe. I’m right here.” Relief at just this small sign of life consumes me.