Chapter 2 Rushed to

Sirens wailed in the distance as paramedics and police arrived at the scene, the street was a scene of chaos. With the bystanders gathering around the wreckage, their faces pale with shock and fear. The paramedics rush to the sedan, open the door and carefully pull out the bodies of Hazel and Liam.

'Get the stretcher, she is alive." One of them screamed out for help. As they carried Hazel who was unconscious and bleeding.

Another paramedic checked Liam's pulse, then shook his head. His expression was mixed with grief and sadness; there was nothing they could do, it was too late.

While Alex Edward was pulled into a stretcher, his face pale and bloodied. He was conscious but in shock, " I can't move my legs, Help me." He said with his voice weak.

"We need to take you to the hospital," one of the paramedics intoned, glancing at Alex in concern.

Alex felt weak, he closed his eyes with his expression mixed. It was supposed to be a happy day for him, but he ended up being sad and heartbroken.

When Alex regained full consciousness at the hospital, he was lying in a sterile room. His head throbbed, and his body felt heavy; he tried to move his legs, but there was no response. His focus was on the absence of the feeling in his legs. Panic gripped him as he tried to move again, but his legs remained still, lifeless and motionless.

His parents ambled into the room, with his brother, Christian. Their faces were etched with worries and concern for him.

"Mom? Dad?" He called out with a shaking voice. "Help me, I can't feel my legs," he said sadly.

His mother, Mrs. Isla, rushed to his side with her eyes red from crying. They were all shocked when they received a call informing them about the accident; they had to skip what they were doing and rushed immediately to the hospital. "Alex, Honey. It's okay. You are in a hospital; you had an accident, and the doctor will soon be here. You don't have to worry, you will use your legs again." She said with a weak voice.

"My legs, I can't move them. Why?" he cried out.

"Alex, You need to calm down, the doctor will soon be here." his father said.

Mrs. Isla couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Her husband stepped forward to console her. She buried her face into his chest. While he patted her back softly.

Alex continued to scream in pain; his brother Christian moved towards him and held his hand. "Alex, You are fine. They said you have injured your spine; they aren't sure if it's permanent or not. So we have to wait for the final report, but." He informed.

Alex tossed his gaze at his brother, "But what, Christian." he demanded, "Talk to me, is there something you are not telling me." He said, his voice rising in fear.

Christian placed his head on his brother's shoulders; he inhaled and exhaled deeply with his sad expression. "Alex, this is serious. You might not be able to work again." He said with his voice barely above a whisper.

Alex felt his heart stop for a moment; he looked at his father, who nodded his head in agreement with the statement. He felt like his world was collapsing on him. "No, this can't be happening. I can't be paralyzed." He said.

Alex thought about the couples, "What about the people in the sedan? Have you heard from them? How are they doing?"

Christian and his father, Mr. Evans Edwards, exchange glances. "Which people, we have no idea."

"Can you please help me check on them? I want to know if they are alright." he pleaded.

Christian gave him an understanding and nodded. Alex tossed his gaze around like he was searching for something. "Where is Stella, why is she not here?" He questioned.

He was expecting to see his girlfriend at the hospital; he believes she would have gotten the news about the accident, and she is supposed to be at the hospital.

"We don't know where she is? I will try to contact her when I leave the room." Christian said.

****

Hazel Mitchell opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the fluorescent light of the hospital room. She felt like she was wrapped in a nightmare. She desperately wanted to wake up. Her body arched in a place she couldn't identify, and there was a dull, throbbing pain in her abdomen; she struggled to remember what happened.

She turned her head and saw a nurse standing by the side of the room. Her back was turned against her as she wrote something on a clipboard.

Hazel tried to speak, but her throat was dry and sore; she swallowed painfully before mouthing. "Where am I, where is my husband?"

The nurse turned around, startled by the voice she heard; the nurse kept a calm and professional outlook softened by the worries and sadness on her face. "Thank goodness you are awake." She said turning to the side of the bed. You are in the hospital, you were brought here last night."

"What happened? What am I doing here," she said with her voice barely audible. She was confused by the words of the nurse.

The nurse hesitated, glancing at the door, which swung open, and the door stepped inside. "You are awake," the doctor said softly.

"Doctor, why am I here? Where is my husband," she said with a low tone.

The doctor stared at her not knowing how to pass the information to her, "You had an accident, a very serious accident. I am sorry to say this, but your husband didn't make it; we lost him." He said with a sad voice.

Hazel felt shocked, as her eyes widened. Her heart began to race fast in her chest. She felt a surge of weight on her shoulder as those words fell on her ears.

"Dead, No, no. Doctor. My husband can't die. Tell me you are lying, Doctor." She paused. "What about my baby, please tell me my baby is okay, tell me." She asked.