BEYOND THE VEIL ( what's hidden?)

Rain lashed against the windshield of Caleb's Ferrari California car, as he drove down a deserted, one-lane highway, going a little over the speed limit.

" What's going on, Caleb?... Why is it over speeding?" Scarlet's trembling voice echoed through his chaotic mind but then his tongue remained stuck at the roof of his mouth as their fate flashed before his eyes. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears on realizing their situation.

His heart thumped against his chest as he managed to get it under control but then the situation just felt hopeless. The wheels slipped a little on the wet slippery pavement, but he kept the car steady.

Caleb peered through the front window, trying to see what was ahead of them; it was pitch black with not even one star in the night sky, only the moon's faint light and the small square orange lights lining the road to see by.

Outside the front window, the rain was coming down in torrents, blurring his vision even more. The windshield wipers whipped back and forth over the window, attempting to clear away the large droplets clinging to the glass– but it seemed they weren't moving fast enough. Uneasy as he looked out his side window, Caleb noticed that trees walled them in on both sides.

Just then, a ring from the phone drew their attention~ with a swift glance at the caller, he instinctively returned his gaze on the road. It was Martin Luther, their year class President. He might be calling to find out their whereabouts because of the rain but then, their situation wasn't favorable to pick up. Scarlet gazed and ignored as well but the ring persisted.

Suddenly, two blinding lights blazed ahead like two shining eyes, trying to pierce the impenetrable darkness– with a jolt, they realized that those lights belonged to a truck speeding towards them from the opposite direction but in their lane.

" Watch out, Caleb..." Scarlet cried in terror. Again, his eyes took in the wall of trees on either side but there was no room to veer right or left out incoming truck's way.

With not much time to think, he slammed the brakes, and the sound of the car's screeching brakes and tires skidded on the wet pavement, scattering the immense silence that had pressed in on him all night.

Everything suddenly slowed down, as the car spun out of control and crashed into the truck like a heavy blow.

The glass cascaded down on them like a waterfall and it felt like an immense weight thrown on him as the truck dragged them down the road with great force.

Images flashed across his mind~ Images of his family, Scarlet, friends, and clips of his life flashed past like a slideshow that was sped up.

The crash scattered silence, extreme silence like a piercing silence in the eyes– everything became still and quiet after the impact. He didn't hear anything from Scarlet again when everything spontaneously became still once again– the car lay upside down and he felt numb; blood oozed down his skull to his face and he felt the hurt but what first popped up in mind was Scarlet.

" Is she alright?... Was she able to withstand it?" It clicked.

His eyes slowly turned to his side where she was seated and there she was, motionless and covered with blood.

" S– Scarlet..." The words struggled out of his lips and that was the last thing he saw before everything went black, and the immense weight was lifted off him as he seemed to float away into complete and utter darkness.

BEFORE THAT NIGHT

" We'll be joining our old student union this evening for the reunion party, mum," Caleb said as he descended the stairs– catching both Scarlet and Camilla's attention. The house was already busy with their wedding preparations for the next day with flowers and more throbbing in.

" Oh, you're here... " Scarlet said with a smile as they deftly turned in his direction. " ...was just asking mum about you." She added as he pecked her on the cheek.

" Well, I'm here now~" He replied with a smile. " ...just finished talking to Martin over the phone – he's still insisting on hosting our last day as a bachelor with the group. We can't back out now...everything is set; that was his final statement." He explained with a chuckle and Scarlet giggled.

" Guess we have no choice now– those guys are just something else."

Camilla who had listened to the two all along laughed. " Since it's been a while you guys met as a year group, I think this will do– celebrating such a remarkable day together. Don't worry about anything over here. I will see to it all ...go have fun together, huh?"

They both smiled at her words. " Thanks, mum~" Scarlet answered.

Caleb's eyes instinctively flew to his wristwatch. " I think we should get going now, Love– almost 7:30 pm. We don't want to be late, do we?" His gaze spontaneously returned to the two and she nodded.

"Yeah... go ahead," Camilla stated as they bid to leave~ turning to a maid passing by, she queried. " Is Celine and Celia in from their shopping?"

Her voice faded in the distance as they made their exit out of the house.

*********

PRESENT TIME

Didn't know how it happened or how long it took but soon, the news of the accident had already spread throughout the country like wildfire and quite several media houses and emergency agents had swarmed the scene– covering as much as they could. The atmosphere smelled of blood and petroleum ~ giving out how bad situations were.

With no time to waste, the nurses rushed the victims into the ambulance and it sped off– blowing out its siren. The media houses present didn't spare the chance of going after them.

After about 20mins drive, the ambulance finally pulled up at the entrance of the hospital with more nurses rushing out to assist. With two or more nurses holding each corner and side of the stretcher from inside, they pulled it out with assistance from those outside.

Caleb was first to be rushed out of the ambulance, covered in blood and unconscious– with quite a number of nurses and doctors aiding to maintain his condition as they hurried him in; followed by Scarlet's.

All along, journalists and media houses did not spare the opportunity to capture a few scenes for their news stories and headlines. They had even wanted to go inside but they were instantly stopped. The Parkers were well-known business moguls for their numerous companies across the country and their connection to the government so it wasn't surprising as it stand.

In less than 30minutes, Camilla and Micheal's car pulled up at the entrance as well– with Celia and Celine right behind them as they hurried into the hospital. The crowd outside on noticing them, swarm to them~ throwing in a thousand questions at a go but then, their guards instinctively held them away.

Devastation took the better part of them as they scampered through the corridors towards the emergency ward.

" Where are they?– How is their condition?" Camilla asked noticing a doctor at the entrance.

" He's at the Operation Room ( OR ) now– his surgery had already begun" She explained.

" What of the lady with him?– is her condition under control?"

Her question rendered her speechless for a moment, contemplating on how best to carry out the news to them.

" Say something, please... How's she?" Celia invaded the awkward moment. With quite a composed gaze, she answered.

" Sorry, ma'am... we lost her– She died on the spot." The words echoed like lightning in a dark cloud.