Ronnie
The warmth was gone, as was the sand. In its place was a stiff blanket and lumpy foam around her. Ronnie could feel her body restricted in movement. Something was attached to her face beneath her nose. A faint rhythmic beeping echoed into her ears. And a hushed voice pleaded.
"Please don't take Ronnie. Please God, let her live."
Ronnie opened her eyes slowly. Her surroundings slowly came into focus. The lights were off but the light above her. She slowly turned her head, wincing at the slight pain she felt.
To her right was Will. He sat in one of the hospital chair, his head bowed in prayer. Ronnie could see the tape of his bandage on the left side of his forehead.
"Will." Ronnie croaked.
Will's head shot up quickly. Ronnie saw the tears he shed.
"Ronnie." Will said. He rose from his chair and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Where are we?" Ronnie asked.
"The hospital." He answered. "We were on our way to town when someone sideswiped us. Do you remember?"
Ronnie nodded slowly. Flashes of headlights and rain flooded her mind. "The…the truck went through the…guardrail."
Will nodded. "Yeah, it did."
Ronnie was silent. She turned her head, taking in all the events that she had lived through. Their truck had started to skid straight into the other car. The car had sideswiped them n her side and pushed them through the guardrail. If it hadn't been for Will she wouldn't be here. She could be with him on the beach still.
Will took her head. "Ronnie?"
"I saw him, Will." Ronnie said.
Will frowned. "Who?"
Ronnie looked up at him. Tears filled her eyes. "My dad."
Will was silent. Ronnie brought her left hand to her face as she broke down in tears. Will wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she cried.
Last night had nearly been that last for both Will and herself. They had been only second from joining Ronnie's father on that beach. And although Ronnie and Will both survived the accident, it was still overwhelming to think how close they had both come to death last night.