Ashes (Of the Earth Series)

Chapter 2.3

The car had barely come to a halt when I tumbled out, propelled by sheer urgency. Ahead, the suburban road was obstructed by the aftermath of a brutal collision—a smoldering wreckage where two vehicles had met in a calamitous embrace. The scene was eerily deserted, the usual suburban tranquility shattered by this solitary catastrophe.

The ground beneath me began to tremble, sending tremors through the soles of my shoes, a sinister harbinger resonating through the quiet neighborhood. The night air was pierced by distant sounds—the clamor of alarms and the intermittent whir of helicopter blades far off, casting an ominous shadow over the night sky. My heart raced, each beat echoing the growing sense of dread that tightened its grip around me.

Abandoning my car seemed the only choice as the road was impassable, choked with the debris of the collision. I set off on foot, my legs heavy with exhaustion and adrenaline. The once-familiar streets now seemed alien, transformed by chaos and the encroaching panic that clung to the air.

With each step, the shaking intensified, a relentless, deep vibration that seemed to come from the earth itself. The thunderous rumbling grew louder, a foreboding crescendo that drowned out the quieter sounds of the night. Streetlights flickered above me, casting long, quivering shadows on the pavement.

Then, as if on cue, a violent shudder coursed through my feet, throwing me off balance. I stumbled and fell hard onto the concrete, the impact sending a jolt of pain across my face. A metallic taste flooded my mouth—blood. I cursed aloud, the sound of my voice oddly muffled through the ringing in my ears.

Disoriented but driven by instinct, I scrambled to my knees. My vision blurred as tears mingled with the blood that trickled down my face. Smoke wafted through the air, a bitter reminder of the destruction that lay just behind me. The fumes of burnt rubber and gasoline were potent, even in the open air of the suburbs, burning my throat with each labored breath.

The coppery scent of my own blood was an immediate warning of my vulnerability, its steady drip onto the pavement echoing the rhythm of my racing heart. Desperation and fear intertwined, urging me to move, to find safety. I gripped the nearby vehicle's bumper, the cold metal a grounding presence as I dragged myself to a sitting position against one of the tires. Each breath was a struggle, my lungs fighting for air as my vision blurred, the world around me reduced to hazy, indistinct shapes.

Gritting my teeth, I reached up, my fingers finding the vehicle's antenna. Clinging to it, I hauled myself up with an effort that felt Herculean. My head spun, the edges of my consciousness fraying. The world seemed to tilt, and I knew I was on the brink of passing out.

Then, a familiar voice pierced the fog of my pain.

"Alec? Is that you?"

Emily's voice, tinged with fear and concern, cut through the haze. I blinked, struggling to focus as her figure materialized before me, pale, face etched with worry.

"Emily!" My voice was a hoarse whisper, each syllable a battle. She moved towards me, a hesitant step.

The adrenaline that had fueled me vanished as swiftly as it had appeared. My strength ebbed away, leaving me teetering on the edge of collapse. My vision swam and my knees buckled, surrendering to the overwhelming exhaustion and pain. 

"Help me," I pleaded, my voice barely above a breath. 

"Alec, oh my god!"

Emily was there in an instant, her arms catching me as I fell. Her strength surprised me as she braced against the car, supporting both our weights. Thank God for dairy farm girls. I leaned into her, grateful for the contact, for the lifeline she offered. She hefted my frame easily, drawing me close to her.