"Mom," I said hesitantly. "I'm hungry."

"Okay sweetie," She replied smiling.

She switched to the far right lane to go onto the nearest exit.

We drove for a while in the dark. It was late at night, and was impressed my mom had stayed awake almost two straight days. The storm was picking up again. My mom's makeup was wearing off as well, so I could see her bruises and scars again. I could also see the dark circles that were forming under her eyes as she struggled to keep them open.

I can remember what happened next in full detail.

First, Mom closed her eyes a few seconds longer than she normally did to blink. I was taking in every detail of her face, clenching onto my hungry stomach. I crossed my heels and started sucking on the seat belt that slung over my shoulder; a habit I have. I turned my head back to the road. There was a sign I could see, a yellow one. My front teeth bit softly on the very edge of the polyester webbing, the corners of my lips rubbing against the smooth surface. I could hardly see four feet in front of me, and we were going too fast.

Neither of us thought that the car would jolt downward when it did. The lane had ended along with the road, and into the grass we suddenly were in. Down the hill we tumbled, the car flipping on its top twice. The windshield cracked two times on my side and once on my mom's. Her window completely shattered as we fell. I screamed as loud as my lungs would let me and the seat belt pulled into my mouth to what felt like the back of my head. Wider and wider my mouth grew as I felt the pressure of gravity toss me around like juggler with his torches. In the same way, I felt a burning pain all over my body until finally the pain was too much for me to bare. I grew unconscious after the car halted and rain poured all over my bleeding face.

********

"Down here!" I could barely make out the voice.

"What do we have?" A hastily voice said.

"A teen girl and a young woman," a voice close by said, "Contusions and lacerations on both victims, puncture wounds caused by broken glass... and a seat belt it appears."

"We need transfer boards, stretchers, and head immobilizers stat!" A voice far off in the distance shouted.

"Oh no." A new voice said. "Look at this wound."

"Oh God, that isn't good. That laceration in the shoulder looks deep," The close voice said, "we need medical assistance right now!"

"Mm." I mumbled. I could taste the blood dripping from my mouth. On top of my tongue was a smooth, wet surface. I felt the same thing between the skin of my cheeks. I tried opening my eyes. It was easier said than done. I could see the blood rushing out of my mouth. Cuts and bruises were scattered all over me. Seeing my blood gave me a sensation that calmed me in the midst of pain. I dared not look at my mom. The voices made her sound in terrible shape.

"Wait, I think she said something." The closer one said. "We'll get you out of here, don't worry."

"Y-you..." I began, "you said God's name in vain..."

I don't remember what happened after that point.

********

I woke up to the rhythmic beeping of machinery. Where was I? I opened my eyes slowly and flinched at the bright light. Everything was either white or blue. I was facing the popcorn-ceiling. My head hurt to much to try to turn, so I used every corner of my eye to examine my room. Medical equipment was everywhere. I tried to remember the events leading up here; just a ton of loud noises and something about a trauma center I think. So that's where I am, then. I'm in a recovering room in a hospital.

"You're awake." A gentle, feminine voice greeted from a chair to my right.

I looked down towards her. She had pure dark as night hair and coco brown skin. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. She smiled at me sweetly.

"I'm glad to see you. Try not to speak, your mouth wounds are still trying to heal." She said. "My name is Doctor Malkery. You were in quite the accident, but our medical professionals were there just in time. I can only assume the woman that was in the car with you is your mother? She's still in surgery, but she is with the best doctors I know. They are great friends of mine and have helped numerous people."

I watched her as she spoke, and never once did her face make a frown; it was as if her relaxed face was a smiling one.

"I'm your doctor, I operated on you." Dr. Malkery said, standing up and reaching into her white coat pocket. She pulled out a small flashlight and flashed it into one eye then pulling away. She did the same to the other eye.

"It looks like your stitching is good as well. A little bruising but that will heal with time." She backed away and smiled big at me. "One blink yes two blinks no; would you like some apple juice?"

My stomach was still pretty empty, so I blinked a hard one time.

"Alright, I'll go get some for you." She stood up and started for the door. "I'll be right back with your drink."

I watched her open and close the door. The blinds prevented me from seeing out of the room, so I investigated my surroundings instead. A painting of waves crashing into rocks was at my left. In front of it were grey cushioned chairs. To my right was a desk and hanging on stands were several different tools that I didn't know the names of. I wondered what were in the drawers of the desk. There was also a heart monitor that beeped every time I felt a beat in my chest. It was a little unsettling, but also kind of cool. I could hear muffled speaking from the hall, and a few other machines beeping as well.

I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheeks. It rubbed against a sort of thread that must have sown my mouth together. The wounds tasted odd and felt worse. Then I came to a realization: we never would have gotten in an accident if I hadn't asked for food. I shake the thought away. I don't have the energy to be negative. Actually, I didn't have the energy for anything. I still ached all over, and soon enough I fell back asleep.

I woke up to the sound of the door opening. "Hm?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to wake you." Dr. Malkery whispered.

"I'm a light sleeper," I mumbled, "it's fine."

"Yes, but you do need your rest." She said, walking towards me, juice box in hand. "Your body has been through a lot of stress, some sleep would do you wonders."

She reaches into a drawer and pulls out gloves. She puts them on and opens the straw wrapper and sticks it into the box. Then, she holds it to my lips for me to drink. It's very sweet and delicious. One I'm done, I draw my lips back and say, "thank you."

"No pro–" Suddenly her pager beeped. She reached for it and checked it.

"Oh no." She said with fear in her voice. She speed-walked away before I said anything.

I guess it's doctors business to save the life of more than just one person. I didn't think about it much and pretty soon drifted back to sleep.

I don't think it was that much later before I woke up again. The window above me was dark, so I assumed it was around night time. There wasn't as much movement outside my door anymore, but I could hear the conversation of the doctors outside my room. I decided eavesdropping was my only good form of entertainment.

"Had a hard surgery today." A male doctor said with a sad tone.

"Really? What happened?" A female nurse asked.

"The patient just lost a lot of blood– O-Neg– and she told us to save her child if it came down to it."

"Man, that's so sad. Did she make it?"

"No, unfortunately not."

Wow, I'm over here feeling sorry about myself, and a poor kid doesn't even have a mom now.

"She was in a car crash with her daughter. She's alive and well, though. I'm sure she'd be at peace knowing that."

"I can't imagine what it would be like for her daughter, though." The nurse remorsed.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Is the father here?" The nurse asked.

"No, the ambulance team couldn't find any identification. So there isn't anyone we can notify at the moment. We can only hope that the daughter can identify herself and her mother. Then we'll be able to contact any relatives."

I sat up and scooted off my bed, ripping off the IV fluids and something taped onto my nose to help me breath.

"As the doctor, I have to be the one to tell her about her mom." The doctor explained. "Obviously, I'm not looking forward to it."

I walked straight to the door.

"I'll pull up the girl's room number for you then." The nurse answered.

I opened the door and looked straight at them. They were startled from the immediacy of the door opening. I could tell the nurse was scared of my physical appearance. I lowered my brows and formed menacing creases between them. I starred the doctor straight in the eye, soulless and cold.

"Is my mom dead?"