In My Time of Dying
Although this may seem like a romance at first, trust me, it's not. I just need to set the stage. Stick with it and you'll be getting a good dose of angst and drama by the end of the first chapter. I promise!
Chapter one
Ellie McCormick was enjoying the day. She and Daniel had gone out for a picnic by the pond on her grandparent's property. At the moment Daniel lay stretched out on the blanket, his head pillowed in Ellie's lap. She carded her fingers through his hair lazily. Ellie still found it hard to believe that she and Daniel had gotten together. It had been three months now since they'd first taken notice of each other. She had never believed in the whole love-at-first-sight thing, but there was something about Daniel that had struck her right away that day she'd first seen him in Chemistry class. He'd confirmed that he'd felt the same way. If they weren't ready to say they were in love yet, they were well on their way.
She'd met his family and had been warmly received, especially by Hannah. She had come to love the noisy hustle and bustle of the McFadden household when she and Daniel hung out over there. Daniel had also met and been made welcome by Ellie's family. She had recently moved to California with her mom to live with her mother's parents on their ranch. Her dad had stayed behind in Montana, since her parents were divorcing.
Daniel had been so kind and sweet as she poured out her story and heartache over the divorce. In return, he'd told her all about his parents' deaths and how devastated he'd been. In sharing their most traumatic memories, they'd sealed the bond between them. Ellie had been thinking a lot lately of telling Daniel just how much he meant to her; even how much she had come to love him. But it seemed such a big deal, such an important moment, when someone said those three words 'I love you'. It bothered her that she was so nervous about it, but she had never said those words to any boy before and she wanted to be sure she meant it when she did.
7b47b
Daniel cruised through town in the family jeep, Ellie by his side. He was lucky to have the vehicle all to himself tonight. Too often he'd have to drop one brother or another off somewhere, even on date nights. He and Ellie had spent the day together, having a picnic and just going for a walk in the woods. He had held her in his arms and kissed her, enjoying just being with her. He loved her, he knew that. He wasn't sure he'd feel that way about a girl again, after Tally had broken his heart, but when he met Ellie, it all changed. She was a country kid, just like him, born and raised her whole life on a ranch, just like him. They fit together so well that he'd even let himself dream about a future together. His family loved her, especially Hannah, who was glad to have another girl around the place. And he thought her family liked him, too. It was hard to tell, her grandfather in particular, was a bit distant, although she assured him that was just the way he was and that he had said he liked Daniel. Daniel figured he had time to get to know them better, maybe even the rest of his life.
He shook himself out of those thoughts, too fast, Daniel, he reprimanded himself silently. Slow down there, boy! But try as he might, he couldn't stop envisioning Ellie in his arms, holding her and caring for her and loving her. Maybe it was time to step up the relationship to another level. Maybe they should talk more seriously about a future together. The thought made his palms sweat and his heart thud faster in his chest, but yet the anticipation thrilled him. He was sure if brought up the subject, she'd agree with him. They were both graduating this spring anyhow; they really weren't too young to discuss their future together.
He guided the jeep out of Murphys on a side road. "Want to go see how Marc and the guys are doing tonight?"
"Isn't Marc still on crutches?"
"Yeah, but he told me he was heading out to the strip anyhow. Seems Jase and Cory Timmons have gotten their hands on a tricked out '67 Mustang. I guess they're planning on racing Geoff - you know the redhead guy we met last time, from over at Sonora High?"
"He's not really redheaded. More like strawberry blond, I'd say."
Daniel grinned at her, "Whatever. You know who I mean." He reached over and tickled her, sending her into a fit of giggles. She was very ticklish, he'd discovered. The jeep swerved a little as Daniel's attention was diverted.
"Watch out, Daniel!" She scolded, pushing his hands away, but still smiling.
Daniel quit the tickling for now, but a mischievous grin spread over his face, as he made plans to resume where he'd left off later.
"What will Adam say if he finds out we came here again? After last time? You'll be grounded forever, Daniel."
Daniel flashed her his cocky half grin, "Don't worry, he isn't gonna find out. Besides, I ain't driving this time, just watching. He never really said anything about not watching."
"You know what he meant. He doesn't want you anywhere around it."
"I know, darling. But it'll be fine." They continued down the road in the dark. There were no street lights out this way, and very few houses. The long, straight, mostly empty roadway was perfect for what Daniel's peers had in mind for tonight.
Recently the seniors at Daniel's school and others in the surrounding counties had taken an interest in street drag racing. It was illegal, of course, so there was great secrecy in where and when races would take place. Daniel's friend, Marc, had told him today about the one scheduled for tonight.
It wasn't long before they saw a group of high school kids gathered in a cleared off space by the side of the road, cars parked haphazardly and people lounging on and in them. Daniel and Ellie pulled over to join them, parking the jeep next to Marc's Camaro. Marc was sitting on the hood, cast on his right leg and crutches nearby.
Daniel and Ellie jumped out and joined him, Ellie hopping up on the hood next to Marc, and Daniel leaning on the other side. He let out a low whistle as he took in Marc's car. The metal was gleaming, its shiny, new, red paint glistening in the faint moonlight. "Wow, you finally got her fixed up! She looks great, man."
"Yup, just picked her up tonight. My cousin helped me out. She's ready to go again." Marc pointedly looked at Daniel with his eyebrows arched, sending him a silent message.
"Oh, no. Not me." Daniel's hands came up, warding off the very idea. "I'm not doing that again. We almost killed ourselves last time. Just look at yourself, you're still on crutches!"
"That's why I need you, Daniel. I can't race her. Come on, you know you want to. We all saw what you could do in the Gold Rush, man. You're a natural, just like Adam."
"Speaking of Adam…"
"He'll never find out. Come one, Daniel. Just race her for me. That Geoff guy has been talking trash on her all night." Marc pleaded. Daniel shook his head no, but the idea was taking root. He'd love to get behind the wheel again if he was honest with himself. The Gold Rush race had awakened a side of him he'd not realized he had. He loved the speed and thrill of racing.
"What about Jase and Cory Timmons? Thought they were racing Geoff tonight?" Ellie spoke up.
"Haven't shown up yet. There's some talk that they chickened out. Come on Daniel. We have to defend our school. If the Timmons brothers won't, we got to. We can't let Geoff go back to Sonora bragging about how our guys backed out. It won't be good for morale, what with the big football game next week between them and us." Marc knew what he was doing. With Daniel on the football team and Murphys playing their main rival next week, the pressure was on. A win tonight against the kid from Sonora would be told all over school and would go over big with the Murphys team and boost their spirits.
Daniel hesitated, unsure of what to do. He wanted to drive Marc's car for him, his hands were itching to get a hold of that steering wheel and feel the power, but Adam would kill him. He'd been forbidden to drag race again, after last time.
His mind drifted back to that time, a month ago, when he'd ridden shotgun in Marc's car with him during a race. All had been going well at first, but then Marc had lost control and skidded off the road, smashing the driver's side into a tree. Marc had been trapped, his leg smashed by the metal. It had taken three guys to pry open the door and get Marc out. That was how he'd ended up on crutches. Daniel had escaped with some cuts and bruises and a very sore arm that had been slammed into the passenger side door on impact, but otherwise had been fine. He hadn't even gone to the hospital, not wanting Adam to find out. However, find out he did, two days later, when he'd run into Marc's dad at the feed store. Marc's dad told Adam the whole story, even how Daniel had been involved. Although Marc's father told the story with a hint of pride, Adam had seethed inside, the anger building until he'd gotten back to the ranch and unleashed it on Daniel. Daniel had managed to hide his injuries and the whole event from him until then. But that night, Adam had exploded on him; Daniel had never seen him so angry.
He understood afterwards why Adam had been so mad. He was scared. The thought of Daniel or any of his brothers driving so recklessly terrified him, especially after the auto accident that had claimed their parents' lives. Daniel had been grounded and forbidden from ever drag racing again. Daniel knew better than to argue with Adam when he was in that state of mind, but it annoyed him that Adam was so unfair about the whole thing. After all, he'd let Daniel finish the Gold Rush, hadn't he? Was this really so different? This was street racing just like the Gold Rush and he'd proven he could do it in that race. If anyone could understand the desire to race, it would have been Adam. If only he wasn't so hung up on the whole 'illegal' aspect of it. No one was around out here, no one would be bothered or hurt, so what was the big deal?
He looked over at Ellie, who was watching him with her big brown eyes. What did she think? After he won, and he was sure he would, she'd be so excited and impressed. Maybe he'd have the courage to tell her he loved her. Wouldn't that just be the perfect night? Win the race, and tell the girl he loved how he felt and then go to school on Monday as a hero. Daniel smiled to himself at the thought.
Marc saw the change in his expression and knew at once what it meant. "Oh yeah! You're in!" He clapped Daniel on the shoulder eagerly. Ellie's face broke into a grin, too.
"Are you really going to do it, Daniel?" She asked, the excitement flushing her face as she hopped off the hood and came over to him.
He slipped his hands around her waist. "Do you want me to?" He asked her playfully, already knowing the answer.
"It's so exciting, Daniel. I know you'll win!" Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Daniel," she began, tracing her finger along his shoulder, "Can I ride shotgun? Please? It'll be so much fun!" She added when she saw him shaking his head, no.
"Ellie darling, it's dangerous, honey. You could get hurt."
"Come on, Daniel. Nothing's going to happen. Please? I've never gotten to do something like this before."
Marc let out a loud guffaw, "How can you resist that, Daniel? Those big brown eyes!"
Ellie batted her lashes at him playfully and made a pouty face, bringing her hands up in a prayerful, pleading gesture.
Daniel cracked up. Marc was right, how could he resist? This must be how Adam feels, he thought, it's why he can't so no to anything Hannah asks of him. How could Daniel do any less for the women he loved, like Adam did Hannah? He nodded, "Okay. You can come."
"Yippee!" She squealed, jumping onto Daniel and wrapping her arms around his neck. She planted a kiss directly on his lips. Daniel responded by spinning her around and kissing her soundly back. God, he loved this girl. He couldn't wait to tell her after the race. It would be a perfect night.
The arrangements were made between Geoff and Marc, bets were placed and the cars maneuvered into position.
Daniel and Ellie were seated in Marc's car, buckled in and ready to go. Ellie squirmed in anticipation, unable to keep still.
"I can't believe we're going to do this, Daniel! I'm so excited! It's going to be so much fun."
"It'll be even more fun after we win. We'll be like heroes in school on Monday!" He grinned at her. The adrenaline was coursing through his system, hers as well, he could tell.
Marc hobbled over and leaned down into the window."You all ready?"
"Ready as ever."
"Okay then. When you see that girl's arms drop, hit the gas." Marc pointed to a girl in a white blouse standing some distance away, down the road, in front of the cars. She was far enough away to have room to run to the side before they reached her. Daniel nodded, his eyes now focused on the road and the girl in front of him.
He revved the engine, hands gripping the wheel, eyes glued to the girl. It was now or never. He flicked his gaze briefly to Geoff's mustang beside him, on Ellie's side of the car. Geoff glanced over at him and gave him thumbs up. Daniel swiveled his gaze around to meet Ellie's. She was more serious now, and her hand gripped the door handle so hard her knuckles were white.
"You ok?"
She gave him a quick glance and a tight nod. She was a little scared now, he could tell.
"We'll be fine, Ellie girl. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." She smiled in response, complete trust in her eyes. Daniel turned his attention back to the girl in white.
The next thing he knew, her hands were dropping to her sides and she turned to sprint off of the road. Daniel slammed the gas and pulled out. He risked a glance over to Geoff's car and was pleased to see him a little behind. He felt a thrill of excitement course through him. They were going to do it! He turned his head back to the front of him, just in time to see the girl in white trip and go down right in the path of his car. Without thinking, Daniel swerved to the right to miss hitting her, plowing instead into Geoff's mustang coming up fast behind him.
Then all control of the car was lost and he was powerless to do anything. He was only aware of someone screaming, the sound of screeching metal and the sensation of the car flipping over on its roof.
Pain and fear flooded through him; blinding fear. Confusion reigned. Glass was flying everywhere, metal was crunching, and sounds of screaming filled the air, and then –nothing, as he blacked out.
7b47b
When Daniel came to, all he felt was pain, everywhere. The seatbelt was digging into him and holding him fast in his seat, from which he was hanging upside down. Broken glass was everywhere. His face felt sticky, with blood, he realized. Suddenly he remembered! Ellie! He twisted around to see her. Oh God! The blood! It was everywhere! She hung, much like him, suspended upside down in her seatbelt, her eyes closed. But it was the way her head hung, crooked like that, at that weird unnatural angle that started him screaming. He pawed desperately at his seatbelt, unable to find the release.
Panic and hysteria filled him as he screamed her name over and over. "Ellie! Ellie! Answer me! Ellie! I love you, Ellie! You hear me? I love you, Ellie! Elllieeeee!"
.