Sally picked up her phone and finally called Minty back.

Sally! Thank god! I was so worried. How is he?"I.. I.. I don't know... I haven't found him yet."

Isn't the hospital giving out names?"Just a few.. Not Lightning's yet.. Won't eveb tell me who.. Who didn't make it.."

Minty fell silent. She lost one son to racing.. Lightning was very lucky in his last accident.. And now this. Sally sniffled as she replied "I don't.. I don't know what to do Minty.. I'm tired.. I'm so tired.."

Baby calm down.. I tried calling him.. He's just not answering.

"I know!.. But it's not just him! I called Lightning, the officials, Strip, Tex, no one will answer and it's so crowded here! I can't find anyone familiar.. I'm so scared for the worse this time Minty.."

I know baby.. Me to.. But we can't think like that. Surely he's just held up somewhere..

"We were getting back together.. Lightning and I were going to get back together and now this!? This happened!..." Minty was heart broken to. Lightning was one of her youngest.

I love you Sally.. I'm gonna head up if you don't get news soon okay.

"Mmhmm.. I'm so sorry Minty.. I am so sorry.."

It's not your fault baby.. These.. These acidents happen in racing..

Sally wiped her eyes and looked up, back down then wait a minute. She looked back up and.. Was that who she thought it was!? Through the doors!? Talking to a doctor? Lightning!?.. "Minty.. I.. I gotta go.." She exclaimed "I'll call you back soon.." and hung up. Sally stood up and began weaving through the crowd of heart broken families. "Lightning..." It was him! It was him! "Lightning!" she yelled! Sally bumped into some guy who snapped "Watch it!" "I'm sorry.." she mumbled. She turned back but stopped. He was gone. Lightning wasn't there. Neither was the doctor. She stood there confused. Was she seeing things now?

Then another woman at the front desk rang this stupid little bell to grab everyone's attention. "Excuse me! Hello!.. Yes, very good. Okay listen up drivers' families please!" everyone turned toward her including Sally who was pretty sure she was losing it at this point. "So I don't have any further news on names of paitents.. I was instructed to make everyone aware that our doctors are doing everything possible for your family members. We do have a lot of unconscious paitents which is making it difficult to identify each and every one. But we are working on it!"

"Look at their dam suits! They got numbers and names on them!" one man yelled angrily! The woman sighed explaining "Sadly a lot of the suits were.. destroyed or rather torn apart or taken off and tossed to care for the paitent before anyone thought to look at names on the suits.." "What!?" one person screamed! This was pure chaos. It was a small mistake not thinking to actually read the racers suits. Sally went and sat down in an actual chair trying to block out the arguments and the screaming between families and doctors and nurses. "Where are you Lightning.." She whispered. Losing hope little by little...

Another painful hour passed. Sally sighed and adjusted herself in her seat. She was uncomfortable and tired. It was around 1.30 in the morning. She was exhausted.. Everyone was exhausted. The woman at the desk rang the stupid bell again. Grabbing everyone's attention. "I have a small list of names of paitents that were taken up to I.C.U. Um..." Sally sighed and decided it was best not to give her hopes up this time. She leaned in the chair expecting to once again hear no mention of Lightning's name. "Ted Turbo and.. Speedy Comet."

Just as expected. No Lightning.. "Eight more to go.." she whispered. Then the woman continued "Now to make more room we want all guests waiting for the racers to follow Dr. Hackle here. He's gonna take you to another waiting area that's more private and with more room, a shower, private bathrooms, food, drinks and some couches rather than our main area here." Hackle waved and people immediately gathered to follow the man. Some people asked again about their families but the doctors weren't giving much information or names out yet still. Sally sighed and frowned.

But she got up and followed along with the other of what seemed hundreds of people for these racers. There had to been two to three per racer here. So crowded and just filled with nothing but loss and sadness. They weren't giving the names of those who even passed away yet. As they walked, Sally looked over and.. Lightning?.. she stared as they all walked. She could swear it was Lightning! "Lightning?.." She called in a quiet whisper. Someone passed in front of her and then he was gone again. Sally was confused and so sure that she was just completely hallucinating now more than ever.

Ben peeked in a few different curtains. Not Lightning, not Lightning.. He looked around and kept looking out for Lightning for Sally. It was good he was there. Any other doctor wouldn't keep an eye out for Lightning or even care about Sally and her well being like he did. But sadly he wasn't having any luck. He wasn't even sure Lightning was here at this point. Ben headed to the elevator when a nurse stopped him asking "Where do you think you're going? We need you in O.R four." "I was running to the morgue but.. Yeah you're right.." Ben stepped back out and followed the nurse on to get back to his job and try to save the lives he could...

Sally blinked a few times. She must of dozed off by accident. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the time.. Another hour.. Ugh.. She walked over to a list that a nurse posted of the racers in I.C.U and in other recovery with room numbers. She debated on going to see Dan Lapp, Lightning's racer. Maybe Dan knew if Lightning was in the accident ot not. Then a nurse came out with a doctor and called for a name. "Miller." The family left with them. That couldn't be good could it? "Don't over think it.." Sally told herself. "He's okay.. he's okay.."

She walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Tears came down. She ran water and cleaned up. She was so hurt. Not knowing was killing her. Throughout the next hour to two hours names were called out, Highbanks, Cluthen, Tankson, Brakeston, Spark, Roadagous, Kargas, Depost, Draftsky. It was a long list and more and more family in waiting left with doctors. Sally kept waiting to hear McQueen, but it never came. She sighed and rested her eyes again for some time..

"Sally." Her eyes snapped open. "Ben.. Hey.. Did you find Lightning?" she asked immediately. Ben opened his mouth to speak but a nurse and another doctor called a name out "Throttleman." And another family left. Sally watched them go then frowned asking "Their dead.. Aren't they?.. The names their calling out?.. There's too many to be the ones that are okay, I've been counting them." "Stop that. Don't count them? You're only torturing yourself!" he snapped. Ben didn't really think she needed to know the answer to that though but his silence answered for him. Those were the names of drivers that didn't make it out alive. Drivers that would never see their families again. Which meant Lightning was alive still! "Where's Lightning?..." She asked. Ben sighed before explaining this "I haven't seen all the crash victims yet.. There are a few that are.. So severely injured that we're having a hard time identifying them.."

"Is he dead?" She asked straight up. "Don't lie to me or sugarcoat it if he is.. Please.. Because if you came here to tell me that than just say it!" Ben shrugged being honest. "I just haven't located him yet. Are you sure he's here?" He asked. Sally didn't know for sure. But sitting here was her best bet at finding him. "Well.. I'm keeping an eye out. Look, I gotta rest.. I just got done with a long surgery and.. You should to and eat something. Please." Sally nodded. Ben pulled a box out his pocket. Sleeping meds. "Oh no, I can't.." Sally whined. Ben gave her one anyway, closing her hand around it "You need rest.." He repeated then kissed her forehead and left to get some needed rest himself in the staff bunks.

Sally stared at the pill. She did need rest. She grabbed a bagel, water and after a few more minutes with no other names she took the pills. She waited for the medicine to take effect. While she did, a nurse posted names up on the I.C.U list. Sally rushed over along with a few other eager people wanting to find their people.

Jackson Storm.

Lane Locke.

No Lightning still.. Storm. Storm deserved to die! Not be in I.C.U!.. Sally rubbed her head and tried to relax and lay down on the couch. She was exhausted and sick to her stomach. Worst day ever. Absolutely worst...

Cleo was devastated. Staring at the screen! "I.. I didn't mean for this?.. I just needed Storm to wreck McQueen. That was all!" She shouted. Chick crossed his arms and snarled "You got more than that." He grabbed his things and began to leave. Cleo turned and snapped asking "Where do you think you are going?!" "I don't know? Anyplace you're not." he snarled rudely. Cleo was shocked by Chick's sudden attitude change. "Excuse me? You can't just leave me?!" she was furious. Chick glared at her and snarled "Well I am." Then he left. Cleo was distraught! There went all her money! And really the only person she had left!...

Sally was sleeping pretty well. Dreaming of Lightning and promising herself that she'd never leave him alone again. That if god would just let him live than they'd fight batrles as a family. They'd fight this together and whatever wounds or permanent injuries he had they'd deal with it. At this point she just wanted him to survive.

please survive.. Because Lightning.. I never even got to tell you how much I really love you.. How much I need you. I need to feel you. Your warm touch. Holding your hand. Leaning on your chest and hearing your heart beat.

I need you back here now. I don't know where you are. I need you. I need to know you are safe. Come back to me.. Please..

Sorry for it being short again but thanks for the reviews everyone!!!! sadly its now the weekend. i will try to update like i have been but bear with me as the updates probably slow over the weekend but they will pick back up!!!