I didn't see the driver barreling towards me as I drove through the four-way stop. Before I could turn back even, the driver had slammed into my driver's side. I felt my body thrown about, as if I was nothing more than a ragdoll.
A car alarm blaring. Glass shattering. Smoke billowing around me.
I'm choking, sputtering, reaching blindly. I hear my name being yelled, and I feel myself being tugged from the car.
I can't see. I can't breathe. There is a high-pitched ringing in my ears. I'm lowered softly onto the curb.
"Quinn? Oh my God, Quinn!" I'd recognize that voice anywhere. But—no, it can't be. She's supposed to be at the wedding, where I'd left her. Unless…unless she'd gotten cold feet, unless she'd followed me…
My thoughts turn into a blur as I'm quickly loosing oxygen. Suddenly she's there. Her face, looming over mine. Her hands on my chest, pumping, trying to get me to breathe normally. I'm gasping for air, my throat filled with dust.
All I can hear is her voice. Crying out. A sound that ripped through my very being, upsetting my soul. She's calling my name. It's like a little prayer. I forced my fluttering eyelids open.
Bright sunlight. Her face. Like heaven. I cling to the image of her, willing myself to croak,
"Are…you…an angel?" I don't know if she can hear me.
I'm frantic now, my vision fading, no longer hearing sound.
She tries to get up for a moment, and I find myself wailing, though I can't hear it.
She's back down again, her ear at my mouth. I whisper,
"Stay…with me. Can't…leave me."
She's cupping my face, staring into my eyes.
"I promise, I promise." She mouths the words, as if in prayer. Chanting, sobbing, her falling tears are wet on my face.
I manage a weak smile, raising my hand to wipe her eyes tenderly.
"Angels shouldn't cry," I murmur.
She shushes me, brushing her lips against mine. My eyes flutter shut in surprise.
The lips of an angel. So sweet.
My first kiss with Rachel.
And maybe my last? I wonder. God, can you hear me? Heaven, help me.
I black out.