6:37 PM

My sister and brother lay dying at this moment, and I have no idea what will happen to them. My name is Frank Hardy. My brother Joe and sister Karen were in a hit and run accident with a drunk driver no less than an hour ago. I am sitting in the waiting room of Bayport City Hospital with my mother on one side of me and my father and my second sister Janessa on the other. Now we wait.

9:13 PM

It's been a little more than three hours, but still no word. My family is asleep, but I can't stop thinking that it's because of me that this happened. The two of them had called me before they left to ask if I could bring them something. I don't remember what now, but I said I couldn't bring it. I was at the library with Callie, but I claimed I was studying. If I hadn't done that they wouldn't be in critical condition right now.

11:24 PM

Another few hours. They got out of surgery a while ago and we're allowed to see them now, so Jen and I have been taking turns sitting with them. They're pretty banged up, but alive. Thankfully alive. We aren't out of the woods yet, though. Joe is mumbling something. I think he's waking up…

"Where… what the… Karen?"

I walked to the side of Joe's bed, placing my hand on top of his.

"It's okay Joe," I soothed, "You're in the hospital. Karen's next door. Janessa is looking after her."

"What happened to us?" He asked, his voice hoarse and no higher than a whisper.

"You were in a car crash," I told him, "Hit and run with a drunk driver."

"How is she?"

"She'll recover."

"I hope so."

Penetrating sadness and overhanging fear chilled the air as we were silent for a moment. Joe looked at me intently, studying my face. I ran my hand through my hair and shifted my gaze to the floor so I wouldn't have to meet his eyes.

"I know that look," Joe commented, "Why on Earth do you blame yourself?"

"I wasn't studying," I admitted with shame, "I was with Callie. If I had gone to get you what you needed, you would never have been hit!"

I was a little hysterical towards the end. Joe just looked at me. I turned away.

"Please forgive me…" I whispered.

The silence was killing me. I didn't deserve redemption, our sister could die and it would be my fault. Hell, Joe could still die, but yet I'm asking. Finally, he spoke, breaking through my feeling of dread and pulling me away from my thoughts.

"Do you remember when you walked three and a half miles because your bike had a flat tires and you forgot something at home?" He asked, "And you had to got to the hospital after for heat exhaustion because it was a hundred and ten degrees that day?"

I was taken aback. Why was he bringing this up?

"Yeah. Why?"

"I had been mad at you the day before and stuck rocks in your tires," he explained, "They must have fallen out when you rode your bike that day and started leaking. I was terrified, seeing you in that hospital bed. Knowing that it wouldn't have happened if I had gotten over my petty anger."

"Joe, that's different, you didn't know-"

"Neither did you."

"Joe-"

"It's not any different Frank. We're just older now. That's all."

We were interrupted by Janessa opening the door.

"Frank," she called, then seeing Joe was awake, "Oh, hey Joe. It's time to switch. And Karen's still not awake, but she's been restless, so she should be soon."

"Okay. See you on my next shift in here Joe."

"See ya then."

He waved at me as I left. Janessa smiled at me before directing her attention to Joe. As I opened Karen's door, I saw her turn on her side. I smiled and walked over. As I brushed the hair out of her peacefully sleeping face she turned again. I gently moved some of the cords, including her IV, which were getting tangled up, and repositioned her. I must have stirred her a little too much, because her eyes soon fluttered open.

"Hmm…" She mumbled.

She started shifting again, so I put my hand on her chest to prevent her from moving.

"Easy KK, easy," I cooed, "Don't move so much. You'll get your IV caught again."

"My…" she questioned, "What?"

"Your IV. You're in the hospital sis."

"Why?" She groaned.

"You and Joe were in a car accident. Drunk driving."

"Joe was sober and I can't drive," she said, not quite computing my words.

"The person who hit you was drunk. They haven't been caught yet though. It was a hit and run."

"Then how do you know whoever hit us was drunk?"

That was my sister all right. Even in the hospital, possibly dying, she was questioning me. I resisted the urge to laugh, but couldn't hold back my smile as I said, "Traffic cameras."

"Then you've seen that tapes," she piped up, "Did you see anything helpful? Licence plate number, make, model, or even color or type of car? Possibly the idiotic delinquent's face?"

This time I couldn't contain my laugh. Laying in a hospital bed, here was my sister calling the person who landed her there an idiotic delinquent. She smiled.

"Got you to laugh."

"Alright good one you goof. But no I haven't seen the tapes. I asked the police the same questions you're asking me to get this info."

"Okay."

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

"Are you in pain?"

"Yeah. Sore everywhere."

"You'll be okay. You'll be okay."

They will both be okay.