Free Can You See Me? by Nikki Vale

until it comes to me.  I tap repeatedly on the breaks just as the SUV goes to ram us again, but Dawn sees’s their intent and grabs the steering wheel pulling it to the right, causing us to run up the side of the railing on the bridge. 
    My heart is pounding out of my chest.  Dawn is screaming and crying hysterically.  The truck is now perched on the edge of the bridge’s railing and I know that one wrong move and we’re going to topple over the side.
    The SUV is stopped behind us with its high beams still on, revving its engine.  In my gut, I know what’s going to happen next.  I pull Dawn to me wrapping my arm around her neck.  “I Love you,” I whisper against her hair.  I curl my bicep, slowly applying pressure to her throat until she goes limp.  I gently close my eyes in surrender, as the vehicle behind us revs its engine one last time and peels out ramming into us.  The hit knocks the truck from its precarious perch and my heart drops into the pit of my stomach as we tumble over the side and free-fall down into the stream below.  
    Somehow the truck flips as it falls and makes an impact on my side crushing the door in on me.  Then the truck it wobbles and falls onto it’s back caving the roof in on us.  I know I’ve got broken bones and I probably have a few open wounds as I dangle upside down in the truck from my seatbelt.  I’m in and out of consciousness when I think hear a voice calling to me.
    “Skye.  Don’t worry darling everything’s going to be okay.  I’ve called for help,” I hear a familiar voice reassuring me.  I know that voice from somewhere.  I can’t open my eyes because they’re swollen shut.
    “Dawn?” I rasp from my bloodied and chapped lips.  All of the windows are busted and the cold is seeping into my bones.  I’m starting to feel numb all over, which is almost a blessed relief to the excruciating pain throughout my body.  I’m having a hard time concentrating, my mind is getting foggy.
    “Dawn’s okay,” I hear a feminine voice say from far away before I let go and fade into the darkness.
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    Cooper
    It’s two o’clock in the morning when I wake up to my cell phone incessantly ringing.  What the hell? I sit up instantly alert when I realize it’s my work phone.
    “Sherriff Talbott,” I answer.
    “Sir, this is Charlene Simpson one of your night dispatchers down at the station.  We received an anonymous call about an hour ago about a late model, red Ford pickup truck that had been run off the road on rural Route 13,” fear clenches in my chest and I hold my breath as I wait for the bad news.  “Ambulances and patrols have already responded.  The truck had been run off the bridge crossing the stream by old man Johnson’s farm.  The vehicle had been flipped upside down and the fire department had to respond to use the Jaws of Life in order to remove the individuals from the crumpled vehicle.  The occupants were identified as Skye and Dawn Williams. They were immediately transported to the hospital.  One is stable while the other is in critical condition.  I heard that Skye Williams was hired as a new dispatcher here, so I thought you might want to know as soon as possible,” Charlene sadly informs me.
    “Which one?” I ask her hesitantly.
    “Which one what, Sir?” Charlene asks confused.
    “Which one of the women is in critical condition Charlene?” I ask through clenched teeth.
    “I’m sorry Sir, I don’t know that information at this moment, but I can get it for you,” she responds sounding worried.
    “No, it’s fine.  Thanks for letting me know,” I reply and hang up.  I don’t know why I asked.  It doesn’t matter. I was going to the hospital either way. 
    I rush to brush my teeth.  I throw on some jeans, a blue and black flannel shirt, my favorite baseball cap and a winter coat.  I jump in my blue extended-cab truck and head to the hospital.
    I’m sure I’m breaking a few laws getting here,