Chapter 1: Car Accident

Present day. The smoldering summer heat ran rampant across the eastern states. Year, 2024. August. Current location, New York City.

It was bright and sunny, the beginning of a new week. Many people could currently be seen in their cars driving to work to make it on time. It was 9AM sharp, and many people worked the nine to five shift. Rush hour started more than an hour ago, and the cars coming from all directions into Manhattan seemed endless.

In one particular area off the east side that connected directly onto Queensboro Bridge, a large traffic jam could now be seen, halting traffic coming both in and out. It came to a complete halt. If one came from the bridge directly, it would take five to ten minutes of driving to reach this intersection.

Due to the sudden halt of the traffic flow, many cars began to incessantly honk their horns to try and get to where needed to go for the day. Unfortunately for them, and especially those heading deeper into Manhattan, traffic was halted completely.

Minutes soon passed as more drivers began to toot their horns out of anger.

"Hey, what's the hold up! I'm already late to work as it is!", One of the drivers yelled out as they reeled down their driver's window, seeing a long line of cars not budging an inch.

"Damn it, this is no time to be stuck here. If I'm late for one more day at work, I just know they'll fire me!", A second driver yelled out, worry appeared in his eyes as he said that. It was then a couple individuals sporting bright orange vests came in with hope to appease the halted traffic. These people weren't police officers, merely safety enforcers due to the active rush hour.

One of the men wearing those orange vests strutted forward to the long line of cars, and started speaking out to them.

"We urge everyone to remain calm. We are now going to attempt to redirect traffic in a few moments. It may take a while before the traffic flow returns to normal. The cops have already been called and we hope this accident will get resolved before the hour is up.", One of the security enforcers said, which caused some of the raging drivers to turn quiet. 

"Seriously? An accident in this day and age? I just had to pick the worst timing to come here. Ugh.", One driver complained who was closer to the front of the line of cars. Trying to make the guy remain calm, the same man spoke out to him with an apologetic look in his eyes.

"I do apologize for this inconvenience, but I do hope you all understand. We are attempting to remove the crash scene so traffic won't get too backed up. It will still be a few minutes until the cops get here though.", The man wearing the orange vest responded.

Sadly, this area was a one way street in a T-shaped pattern. Only by passing through this street could a person drive into the rest of Manhattan. It was both an unfortunate and unlucky happenstance that struck here. Seeing the safety enforcers trying to appease the drivers, some of them let go of their horn, and directed their heads outward in hopes to see what had actually happened.

It was only shortly before 9AM that this accident took place. Those at the scene had already turned toward their respective streets already so this new line of cars did not see the action take place. Instead, with their windows now rolled down, a couple figures peaked their heads out, and looked toward the 10'o'clock position. It was where the traffic light pole was. A couple people let out audible gasps seeing the wreckage.

Before them was a black convertible with its car hood now completely smashed. The pole pierced through it like butter. And that wasn't it. The driver, after having been rear-ended by an erratic speeder that was speeding well past the speed limit down the bridge, collided directly against this car. The back of the convertible was completely squashed like an ice-cream sandwich. 

And to make matters even worse, it didn't end there. The drivers observing the present state of the accident all saw the traffic light now collapsed onto the car's hood, shredding it to pieces. It was a giant lump of steel metal, which basically spelled out a death trap. It was lodged right into the driver's seat. It would be a miracle to see the driver escape out of this alive.

Yet it was clear to the drivers upfront how the accident came to be. Especially after seeing the other car, which was a small minivan, now flipped over upside down a block or two out. It skidded all the way down onto the next street, which was now halting traffic on that side too. 

"Who in the hell would be drinking this early in the morning? It's the beginning of the week for Christ's sake!", One of the men yelled out, obviously unhappy at the accident before him.

"Oh that poor soul. I don't think that driver is going to come out of this...", Another woman said with worry in her eyes.

It was then everyone saw a sole white Honda approach from the right side that was still relatively clear, coming in the opposite direction of traffic. Parking at a safe distance, the driver's door opened, and out came a fully suited brown-haired man whose appearance was spiffy. His hair flowing back with gel, and a hint of cologne escaped from his body. His suit was dark brown, which matched his pants. It hid away a white dress shirt and a tie. This man appeared to be in his late twenties, who was on his way to work until he received a notice about this accident.

One of the safety enforcers tried to approach him, keeping him away.

"Excuse me sir, but this area is off limits. We will be redirecting traffic shortly until the cops come. For your own safety, please don't go near the accident.", The orange-vested man said, trying to stop the man. Both anger and worry appeared in his eyes the moment he heard that.

"Screw that! That's my best bud in there. I'm coming for you, Miles!", The brown-haired man said, denying the security enforcer outright. He made a mad dash, and easily evaded him, swiftly approaching what was left of the black convertible. Thankfully the front passenger seat was mostly unharmed, apart from the crushed roof. He could easily tear the door wide open.

A stench of blood immediately assaulted the brown-haired man's nostrils the moment he swung the door open. A scene of horror reached his eyes, causing them to frown.

"Is that you...Ricky?", A faint voice called out to him. It appeared weak, but still showing signs of life. 

"Oh dear god. Just what in god's name did you get yourself into this time, Miles?", The man called Ricky immediately responded, only to see a tall, black-haired man in the driver's seat struggling to stay alive. The giant traffic light was currently lodged into his car right before him, striking most of his front body. The man couldn't feel, let alone move most of it. To Ricky, it was a miracle the man before him was even still alive and breathing.

Blood could be seen trickling down the man's lips. His once good suit was now stained and torn into shreds. 

"Haha, just like old times...right?", The black-haired man named Miles said to Ricky.

"You're a goddamn idiot, you know that right? They said help is on the way here. It won't be long until the ambulance comes. Just save your energy alright, Miles?", Ricky said, ignoring the stench of blood in the air. Hearing that, Miles coughed, spurting more blood out of his mouth.

"Oh can it, Ricky. I know death's door when I see it. I know I've been involved in crashes before, but I think this time might be...the real...deal...", Miles's voice tried to answer Ricky's worry. Miles mustered the energy to try and reach his hand out toward Ricky, but it only lasted for a moment before Ricky saw Miles's hand limp downward, losing any remaining energy it had. Ricky then saw Miles's eyes close shut, and his mouth hanging loose. 

"Oh no, you are so not dying on me this time, Miles. You still have a wife and kids back home!", Ricky immediately responded again. Yet he felt no life coming from Miles's body. Ricky could only fear the worst as he frowned.

One of the more knowledgeable safety officers approached the distraught man, and reached his side. Ignoring the stench of blood, he reached his hand outward toward the passenger door, and grabbed a hold of Miles's arm. After feeling his wrist for a moment in silence, the safety enforcer slowly shook his head back and forth at Ricky.

"I'm afraid your friend didn't make it, I'm sorry. Time of death, 9:15AM, August 5th, 2024.", The security enforcer declared. Ricky's eyes turned wide in shock hearing the announcement.

"Damn it!", Ricky cursed, proceeding to smash the side of Miles's car with his fists...