Chapter4

"Fiona? Are you alright?" Hailey's voice trembled on the radio with concern as Fiona's sudden silence was punctuated by the sickening crunch of metal on metal.

Hailey's heart raced as she and the cop arrived at the scene, only to be met with a sight that made her blood run cold. Fiona's car was a twisted wreck, its mangled remains a grim testament to the devastating accident.

"No!!" Hailey's anguished scream echoed through the night air as she took in the horrific scene. She burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs as she tried to rush towards the wreckage, but the cop's firm grip held her back.

"Let us handle it, ma'am, wait till the ambulance arrive" he said, his voice firm but gentle, as he called for an ambulance.

The paramedics arrived swiftly, accompanied by more cops, who quickly secured the area and carefully extricated Fiona from the wreckage. Hailey watched in helpless agony as her friend was loaded into the ambulance, her heart heavy with fear for Fiona's life.

Hailey's eyes welled up with tears as she watched the paramedics carefully load Fiona into the ambulance. She felt a sense of utter helplessness wash over her, her mind reeling with confusion and fear. She tentatively reached out, placing her hand on Fiona's pale cheek, her voice cracking as she whispered, "Fiona, are you okay? Talk to me, say something, please..."

As she grasped Fiona's hand, a faint whisper escaped her friend's lips, "Where...where is my son? Where is Leo?" The words trailed off, and Fiona's eyes fluttered closed, her heart rate plummeting as she slipped back into a deep unconsciousness.

Hailey's grip on Fiona's hand tightened, her own heart racing with alarm. "Fiona, no, don't leave me! Stay with me!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. The paramedics' urgent voices and the wail of the sirens faded into the background as Hailey's world narrowed to the fragile form beside her, her friend's life hanging precariously in the balance.

As Fiona lay motionless, surrounded by the sterile equipment of the ambulance, Hailey's anxiety lingered, her eyes fixed on the oxygen mask covering her friend's pale face. The cop who had assisted her earlier, Deputy Dave, approached her, his expression empathetic. "Are you okay, ma'am?" he asked, his voice gentle, his tone a soothing balm to Hailey's frazzled nerves.

Hailey's response was laced with sorrow, "Yeah, I wish I could say the same for my friend." Her voice cracked, betraying her emotional turmoil, as she struggled to contain her tears.

Deputy Dave offered a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, she'll be alright. The hospital will take good care of her, and I'm sure she'll be fine." His words were a comforting embrace, enveloping Hailey in a sense of hope.

As he turned to leave, Hailey called out, her voice infused with gratitude, "Thank you, Officer...thank you so much for your help."

Deputy Dave turned back, his eyes crinkling at the corners, "You're welcome, Miss...?" he asked, his tone inviting.

"Miss Hailey," she replied, her hand extending in appreciation, her handshake firm.

Deputy Dave's handshake was equally firm, "Nice meeting you, Miss Hailey. I'm Deputy Dave." His smile was warm, his demeanor kind, putting Hailey at ease.

As they parted ways, a nurse approached Hailey, her expression somber, "Madam, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, her voice low, her words laced with a hint of urgency.

Hailey's instincts flared, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios, "What? What about my friend? Is anything the matter?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency, her heart racing with anticipation.