Free Forbidden by Syrie James, Ryan M. James

word they were saying. “What language are they speaking?”
    “Who?” Neil said.
    “The construction workers.”
    “Somebody said it was Korean,” answered Mr. Lang. “That student over there is translating, so the teachers will know what to tell the paramedics.”
    Korean? Stunned, Claire turned back to where Alec had been standing just seconds ago—but he had disappeared into the throng.
    Sirens blared. Two police cars and an ambulance charged down the hill and pulled up to the scene. As Erica and Brian joined Claire, a bevy of concerned teachers, students, and parents descended on them.
    The next four hours felt like twelve. The paramedics examined everyone involved in the accident, except Alec, who had vanished. Brian had dislocated his shoulder, and one of the workers had twisted his ankle, but everyone else, including Claire, escaped with only minor cuts and bruises. Neil stood patiently by her side during everything, making sure that she was comfortable, and bringing everybody bottles of water. He even stuck around while she, Brian, and Erica were questioned by the police.
    “So you’re saying this other student, Alec MacKenzie, pulled all three of you to safety when the scaffolding fell?” asked a tall, gray-haired police officer as he jotted down notes.
    “Yes,” Brian replied, adjusting his arm sling.
    “Is Mr. MacKenzie here?” the cop asked.
    “I think he already left,” Claire said.
    “And he’s a friend of yours?”
    Claire nodded.
    “Do you have his contact information?”
    Claire hesitated. “We … just met Alec a few days ago.” She was embarrassed to admit that they knew so little about him. “I don’t know his phone number, but it should be listed in our school directory.”
    “It isn’t,” Erica chimed in. As Claire shot her a curious look, Erica added, “What? I checked. Alec’s not in there. Maybe they didn’t have a chance to add him yet, because he’s new.”
    “What about the pickup truck that ran into the scaffolding?” the policeman inquired. “Did any of you see who was driving it?”
    Erica and Brian shook their heads. Claire said, “When I walked by right after the accident, no one was in it.”
    “What was up with that guy, anyway?” Brian interjected. “Was he high or something?”
    “We won’t know that until we find him,” the cop replied. “Thanks for your help. If I need anything else, I’ll be in touch.” With that, he turned and walked away.
    “What did he mean, ‘We won’t know until we find him’?” Erica said.
    It was Neil who explained. “There’s this mystery about the truck driver. I was listening while Alec translated for the teachers. Two of the construction workers claim their fourth man called in sick today, but no one can get him on the phone. The third guy insists he saw the missing dude climb into the truck just before the accident.”
    “He must have fled the scene,” Claire mused, “probably afraid he’d be fired or arrested.”
    “Or deported,” Brian added, taking a swig from his water bottle.
    “But why did Alec leave in such a hurry?” Neil said with a frown. “I swear, he was right next to me, and then he was gone.”
    Claire wondered that herself. Just then she heard her mom’s voice.
    “Claire!”
    Lynn raced toward her, leaving her car parked in the jumble of vehicles beyond the police blockade. She was at Claire’s side in seconds, her face a mixture of panic and relief as she threw her arms around her. “Claire! Oh, honey.”
    “It’s okay, Mom. I’m all right. Really.” Claire relished the warmth of her mother’s embrace, grateful to have a mom to hold and comfort her … and grateful to be alive. She knew most people didn’t walk away from such a serious accident—which brought her back to the question: How the hell had Alec saved them like that?
    Claire wondered if Erica or Brian had seen Alec’s strange hand gesture when the scaffolding seemed to hover briefly in midair, instead of