Here we were, finally out on the road in Owen's huge SUV. Like, this thing was massive. Well, I guess it wasn't that big, I was just used to my mom's little sedan. I think Owen said it was an Expedition or Explorer, I don't know. Ford has too many cars that start with 'E' and I get confused. Anyhow, I've never been in a car that had HEATED SEATS and I was in heaven. I plugged in my music and jammed along to some 2Cellos music as we blasted down the highway. It's been a long time since I was out in another town that was larger, and I was honestly kinda excited. It was so much better than hanging out at home by myself and thinking about Lydia.

Here we go again. I tried to focus on my music and not Lydia. Every time I thought of her, I felt this huge, pang of worry hit my chest. She wasn't at school all week, and I kinda feel bad. I watched huge semi trucks and U-Hauls pass by and when I got a little more focused on my music, I began to daydream a little. Just about anything. Playing music, becoming famous, all that fun stuff. I really wanted to go on America's Got Talent and play an original song, but whenever I try to make up an original, I get my mind stuck in a melody that's part of a famous song already, and I have to stop. I struggle with that.

Now, I don't know if you were probably expecting something like this, considering what has happened to my life recently, but yes, this happened. And no, I did not expect it. Congrats, if you expected this to happen, you're a wizard. Or a witch. Or you just read the description of this story, I dunno. However you figured it out, you were more prepared than I was. All I remember is the car swerving so hard my head nearly hit the window. Then I heard tires screeching, and my mom screaming. Then I heard a deafening skid, like metal on asphalt, and I was upside down. Then right side up, and upside down again. The huge car with heated rear seats rolled a few times before stopping finally on its side. And I instantly felt pain on my leg. My shoulder was a little sore and I had a huge headache. I didn't hear anything else and tried to get up among all the broken glass. I slowly crawled over the seats and pushed the door open that was facing upwards and crawled out of the car. I didn't realize how far the drop was though to the ground so when I fell, my WHOLE BODY began to hurt. Huge mistake. I tasted excess liquid in my mouth but I couldn't taste what it was. it was very thick though and I didn't like it. I spit it out and once I saw red liquid on the grass, my heart began to beat a little faster. I laid there on my back for a moment and took in steady breaths before I heard another car engine come near. I tried to set my mind straight on really what all happened until I turned my head and saw the destroyed car next to me.

"Hang on, kid, police are on their way right now!" I heard a voice shout and someone hovered over me, blocking the sun from my face. It was a man. He kinda freaked me out but I didn't move. More people ran over I think based on the footprints I heard and heard shouting. The next thing I know, I hear sirens and I'm being put on top of a stretcher. Now I'm beginning to freak out a little. I was just in a crash, and I'm being put on an ambulance. Where's my mom and Owen?

"Mom, Owen.. I, need them." I groaned out as things began to clear up a little in my head.

"Shh, keep calm, now, kiddo. You're alright." I heard a voice say and I looked over and saw a doctor. That's not what I asked for though. I wanted my mom and Owen with me. Where were they?

I must have blacked out because the next thing I know, I'm in a hospital bed. I felt really sore as I began to get my bearings and looked around the place. I had one of those needles in my arm and it instantly reminded me of the first time I was brought into a hospital, and I tried so hard not to raise my anxiety. I took deep breaths as I felt myself, and I didn't appear to have lost anything, just really sore. I wondered how much time had passed since the accident. Then it full on hit me like a semi truck. My mom and Owen. Where were they? What happened to them?

A nurse came in and her face seemed to light up seeing that I was awake.

"Oh, great, you're up! How do you feel?" She asked.

"Sore, confused.." I groaned out. It was strange, I felt like I hadn't spoken out loud in years. My voice seemed different to me.

"That's expected dear. You were in a very bad crash. Which, there are some important things I need to talk to you about."

And there it went. My anxiety. It skyrocketed.

"The other two in the vehicle with you. It was your mom and a friend, right?"

"Yeah, what happened? Are they okay?" I was a little more awake now that we were talking about mom. They had to be okay. The look on her face scared me.

"I'm so sorry, Jess. They were declared dead at the crash site."

At that point, I'm surprised the heart rate monitor didn't speed up or flatline, because I felt like my heart stopped and my whole body went numb. That wasn't true, it couldn't be.

"I know this must be extremely hard for you, I'm so, so sorry. Do you have any other family member? A sibling, a father, or maybe a grandparent that can look after you or that I can call?"

I didn't want to answer. Part of me just wanted to say no, I had absolutely no one. But the last thing I wanted was to deal with foster families. The other part of me, well, nevermind, I didn't want to talk about it. She saw my hesitation and came over to the side of the bed. I had to think of something fast and the only thing that came out of my mouth was: "My dad, but he's in jail." Stupid. I am so stupid.

"Okay, just your dad? No one else?" I shook my head.

"Okay, I can look into something for you. Don't worry, you won't be alone. How old are you?"

"I'm, uh, 17." Why did I have to think about that?

"Alright. I'll be right back dear. Did you need anything? Food, water?"

I shook my head and she left the room. I was terrified. I looked around the room and sat up a little. I looked and saw the needles in my arm again and began to assess my situation and surroundings. I always seem to do that in case I have to run. I dunno, trauma I guess. I've always done it when my anxiety skyrockets.