Carina had been trying to keep Alex calm as they inched forward in the thick traffic on the bridge. The stop-and-go motion had already made Alex restless, and she was doing her best to distract him with soothing words and promises that they would be at the park soon. But as they crept closer to the middle of the bridge, Carina noticed something unusual—a strange rumbling beneath them. She gripped the steering wheel tighter, glancing around to see if other drivers had noticed the vibration.
"Mamma, what's happening?" Alex asked, his voice high with anxiety.
Before Carina could respond, the bridge shook violently, causing her car to lurch forward. Carina's heart stopped as she looked up, horrified to see a massive ferry crashing into the bridge just a few cars ahead of them. The metal of the bridge groaned under the impact, and screams erupted from the cars around them. Alex's terrified cries cut through the chaos, and Carina instinctively reached out, trying to comfort him even though panic gripped her heart.
"It's okay, tesoro," Carina said, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound calm. "We're going to be okay. Stay close to me. We're going to get out of this."
But before she could even begin to think about what to do next, the bridge creaked again—this time much louder. There was a horrific sound of metal tearing as part of the bridge structure began to give way. Carina felt the car lurch forward violently, the impact sending them flying into the vehicles ahead. Everything happened so fast—she barely had time to react.
The front of the car slammed into another vehicle, and Carina felt her head whip back as the force of the collision threw them into the chaos. A deafening crash filled the air as part of the bridge collapsed, and Carina's world spun. The car flipped onto its side, rolling and crashing into other vehicles before finally coming to a stop.
The air was filled with the sound of breaking glass, bending metal, and distant screams. The world around them was a blur of destruction.
Carina's head hit the side window hard, and everything went black.
When Carina awoke, everything was disorienting. Pain throbbed through her skull, and for a moment, she couldn't remember where she was or what had happened. The smell of burning fuel and the sound of distant sirens filled her senses, and she blinked through the haze, trying to piece it together.
Then it all came rushing back—the bridge, the ferry, the crash.
"Alex," she whispered, her voice hoarse and filled with fear.
She tried to move, but her body was stiff and aching from the impact. She could hear Alex whimpering behind her, and the sound cut through the fog in her mind like a knife. She forced herself to focus, to shake off the disorientation as she looked back at her son.
Alex was trapped in his seat, his little face streaked with tears and terror. The door next to him had been crushed inward during the crash, pinning him inside the car. His carseat was still fastened, holding him in place, but the terror in his eyes broke Carina's heart.
"Mamma?" Alex whimpered, his voice shaky and small. "Mamma, help…"
Carina's heart clenched at the sound of her son's voice. She ignored the pain coursing through her body and reached out toward Alex, though her movements were sluggish and weak. "I'm here, tesoro," she whispered, her voice filled with both love and desperation. "I'm going to get you out of here. I promise."
But as Carina looked around, she realized just how dire their situation was. The car was on its side, half-crushed against the twisted metal of the bridge. The windows were shattered, and debris from the collapse littered the ground around them. She tried to undo her seatbelt, but her hands shook, and her vision swam as pain radiated from the back of her head.
"Help!" Carina called out weakly, though her voice faltered. She tried again, louder this time. "Help us, please!"
She prayed that someone would hear them amidst the chaos and destruction. But as she glanced around at the devastation surrounding them, she felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. The bridge was a mess of twisted metal and broken cars, and there were still distant sounds of collapsing debris.
Carina cradled Alex's hand as she reached into the backseat, he whimpered in fear. "Stay with me, tesoro," she whispered. "Help is coming. We're going to get out of here."
She closed her eyes briefly, praying that someone—anyone—would come soon.
— — —
Maya rushed back to Warren, her heart pounding in her chest and her thoughts racing. The panic was starting to bubble up inside her, barely held back by the thin thread of control she was trying to maintain. She couldn't stop thinking about Carina and Alex—what if they had been on the bridge? What if they had been caught in the crash? The dread had settled like a weight in her stomach, threatening to overwhelm her.
She found Warren kneeling next to another patient, but her mind was barely focused on the scene in front of her. The need to act, to do something, consumed her.
"Warren," Maya said urgently, her voice strained as she grabbed his arm. "I need to check the cars. I think Carina and Alex might have been on the would have been driving this way right around the time of this accident. I need to find them."
Warren looked up, his face etched with concern as he quickly finished bandaging the patient. He stood up and turned to Maya, immediately sensing the desperation in her eyes. "Maya, hold on," he said gently, putting a steady hand on her shoulder. "I know you're scared, but we don't have confirmation that they were even on the bridge. You don't know for sure."
Maya shook her head, her breathing shallow as she tried to push past him. "I know they were heading this way! I haven't heard from Carina, and I—Warren, I just—something doesn't feel right. Please, I need to check."
Warren's grip on her shoulder tightened just slightly, grounding her. He kept his voice calm but firm, knowing that Maya was teetering on the edge of panic. "Maya, listen to me," he said carefully. "I get it, I do. I'd be terrified too if I were in your shoes. But we have a job to do here. There are still people trapped, people who need our help. You know that. You need to stay focused."
Maya's chest tightened, and she blinked rapidly to hold back the flood of emotions. She wanted to run to every car on the bridge, to search for Carina and Alex until she knew they were safe. But Warren's words cut through the fog of fear, reminding her of the lives still depending on them right now.
"But what if they're out there, Warren?" Maya whispered, her voice cracking. "What if they need me?"
Warren softened his tone but kept his focus on the bigger picture. "If they're out there, someone's going to find them, Maya," he said. "You know we've got crews all over this scene. The best thing you can do right now is to stay calm and keep doing your job. Help the people in front of you. I know it's hard, but this is what we do. And if Carina and Alex are out there, I promise, someone will find them."
Maya stared at him for a moment, her mind a storm of fear and uncertainty. She wanted to believe him—she needed to believe him. But not knowing was unbearable. Still, Warren was right. She couldn't let her emotions take over. Not now. She had to stay grounded, to stay focused.
She swallowed hard and nodded, though the worry still gnawed at her insides. "Okay," she said quietly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Okay, you're right. We have to keep going."
Warren gave her a small, supportive nod, his hand still resting on her shoulder. "We'll get through this, Maya," he said firmly. "You've got this. Let's get back to work."
With that, they returned to the chaos of the scene, Maya pushing down the panic that threatened to consume her. As they continued to work, treating more patients and evacuating people from the wreckage, Maya couldn't help but keep her eyes scanning the scene, her heart silently praying for some sign of Carina and Alex.
But no matter how hard she tried to stay focused on her work, the fear never fully left her. It lingered in the back of her mind, a constant reminder that the people she loved most might still be out there, waiting for her to find them.
When Vic and Jack returned to the triage area with another patient, Maya rushed over to them, her heart pounding with fear and urgency. The patient was handed off to Warren, but Maya's focus was solely on Vic. Her eyes were wide with desperation, and she grabbed Vic's arm, practically pleading.
"Vic, please," Maya said, her voice trembling. "I need to switch with you. I need to be out there, searching the cars. I can't just stand here. Carina and Alex were heading this way right before the ferry hit and she isn't responding. What if they are out there? Please let me go out and help."
Vic, still catching her breath from the effort of hauling the patient, looked at Maya with concern. She could see the panic and desperation written all over her friend's face. She knew this wasn't just about Maya wanting to do more work—this was about Carina and Alex.
"Maya…" Vic began gently, shaking her head. "I get it. I really do. But the only cars left are the ones right next to the impact site. The bridge is unstable there, and we're working with engineers and the other crews to figure out how to safely reach those people. You can't just go running into that area. It's way too dangerous right now."
Maya clenched her jaw, frustration boiling inside her. The thought of just standing by, waiting for a plan to be made, was unbearable. Every second felt like a lifetime, and the idea that Carina and Alex might be among those still trapped in the wreckage was suffocating.
"But what if they're out there, Vic?" Maya's voice cracked with emotion. "What if Carina and Alex are in one of those cars? I can't just stand here and do nothing! I need to be out there helping them."
Vic's expression softened, and she reached out to place a reassuring hand on Maya's shoulder. "I know you're scared," she said gently. "I can't imagine what you're going through right now. But I promise, we're doing everything we can to reach those cars. You rushing in there without a plan isn't going to help—it'll just make things more dangerous for everyone, including you."
Maya's hands balled into fists at her sides as she fought back tears. She knew Vic was right. Rushing into a dangerous area without a plan wouldn't save anyone—it could just make things worse. But the helplessness gnawed at her, the weight of not knowing what had happened to Carina and Alex pressing down on her chest.
"Vic…" Maya's voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't lose them."
Vic's heart broke for her friend. She understood the terror Maya was feeling, the need to protect the people she loved. Vic pulled Maya into a quick hug, offering as much comfort as she could. "You're not going to lose them," Vic whispered firmly. "We're going to get to those cars, and if Carina and Alex are there, we'll get them out. But right now, we have to be smart about this. You have to stay strong, Maya. For them."
Maya took a shaky breath and nodded against Vic's shoulder, trying to gather herself. She knew she needed to keep it together, to trust her team. But the fear wouldn't go away. She pulled back from the hug, wiping her eyes quickly, and looked back toward the wreckage.
"What's the plan?" Maya asked, her voice steadier now. "What are we doing to reach those cars?"
Vic took a deep breath, grateful that Maya was willing to focus on the task at hand. "Engineers are working on a stabilization plan for the section of the bridge near the impact site," Vic explained. "Once they give us the green light, we'll be able to send crews in to start pulling people out. We're just waiting on the go-ahead. It shouldn't be much longer."
The moment Andy's call came over the radio, summoning Warren and Maya to where the rest of the team had gathered near the impact zone, Maya felt her heart leap in her chest. The engineers had finally given the go-ahead to begin accessing the other vehicles trapped in the most dangerous part of the wreckage, and they needed more hands to help with the extrications.
Without a second thought, Maya practically sprinted across the length of the bridge, her feet pounding against the pavement as she pushed past debris and emergency personnel. Her lungs burned with the effort, but she didn't slow down. The unknown was starting to get to her.
She barely registered the shouts from the other crews, the roar of the engines, or the noise of the ongoing rescue efforts. All she could think about was getting to her team to search the remaining cars.
When she reached the area where her team was gathered, Maya skidded to a stop, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Vic, Travis, Jack, and Andy were already there, gearing up and preparing to head into the danger zone now that the engineers had confirmed it was safe enough for them to proceed.
"Maya," Andy called out, spotting her as she approached. "Glad you're here. We've got multiple vehicles we need to access, and some are still pinned under debris. We're going to need every hand we can get."
Maya nodded quickly, though her eyes were already scanning the wreckage ahead. Her gaze locked on the twisted metal, the crushed cars, and the debris littering the area closest to the impact zone. Somewhere in that mess, Carina and Alex might be stuck or worse.
"I'm ready," Maya said, her voice more determined than ever. "Let's go."
Andy gave her a quick nod, sensing the urgency in her voice but trusting her to stay focused. "Stay close and be careful," Andy warned. "The structure is still unstable, and we need to be smart about this. Everyone needs to watch out for each other."
With that, the team began to move forward, carefully navigating the wreckage and approaching the first set of vehicles. The air was thick with tension as they worked, cutting through crumpled metal and debris to reach the people still trapped inside.
Maya's hands trembled slightly as she worked, but she forced herself to focus. She and Travis managed to pry open the door of a sedan, pulling out a middle-aged man with a severe head injury. He was barely conscious, but alive. They quickly handed him off to the paramedics waiting just beyond the immediate danger zone and moved on to the next vehicle.
Maya's eyes kept darting toward the next cluster of cars, closer to where the ferry had collided with the bridge. Every time she heard a groan of metal or a creak from the structure, her heart lurched, but she couldn't stop moving. She couldn't let the fear paralyze her.
As they approached another car, Jack and Vic managed to pull back part of the roof to access the passengers inside. Maya stepped back, her breath hitching as she saw the color of the car—dark blue. The same color as Carina's car. And the small Italian flag on the rear window matched Carina's car also.
Her stomach twisted as she hurried forward, her hands shaking as she gripped the edge of the wreckage. Vic shot her a concerned glance but didn't say anything, understanding that this was more than just another rescue for Maya.
"Maya…" Vic began cautiously, but Maya was already pulling at the debris, her heart hammering in her chest.
When they finally managed to clear enough of the wreckage, Maya froze.
Inside the car, a familiar face came into view—Carina, slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. Her hair was matted with blood, and her body was twisted awkwardly from the impact.
Maya's world stopped.
"Carina!" Maya cried out, her voice breaking as she reached into the car, her hands trembling as she tried to touch Carina's arm. "Carina, no, no, no… please…"
Andy rushed over, immediately assessing the situation and pulling Maya back gently. "We need to get her out of there, Maya," Andy said, her voice calm but firm. "She's alive. We need to work fast."
Maya nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face as she moved aside to let the others help extract Carina from the car. Her mind raced, desperate to know if Alex was in the car with her.
As the Station 19 crew worked frantically to extricate Carina from the mangled wreck of the car, Maya's heart raced with fear. The moment they had cleared enough of the debris, she spotted Alex in the back seat, still strapped into his car seat. At first, he seemed motionless, and Maya's heart seized in terror. But as they carefully began to pull on the car from the front, Alex began to stir, his small body shifting slightly as he slowly regained consciousness.
Maya let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Relief flooded through her at the sight of Alex moving, but it was quickly replaced with worry as he started to cry, his little voice trembling with fear.
"Mamma!" Alex sobbed, his voice hoarse and broken. "Mamma!"
Maya's chest tightened, and she rushed to his side, her hands shaking as she tried to reach him. The door had been crushed inward during the crash, making it difficult to open, but she worked alongside Jack, who was already trying to pry it loose. Maya was desperate to reach Alex, her heart breaking at the sound of his cries.
"It's okay, Alex," Maya called out, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "I'm right here. I'm going to get you out, okay? You're safe, sweetheart."
Alex's tear-streaked face turned toward her, his eyes wide and filled with confusion. "Maya?" he whimpered, clutching his toy dinosaur in his small hands. "Where's Mamma? What happened?"
Maya's heart twisted painfully at his words, but she forced herself to stay calm for his sake. "Mamma's okay, Alex," she said, her voice soothing even as her own fear threatened to overwhelm her. "She's with us, and we're helping her right now. But I need you to be brave for me, okay? Can you do that, buddy?"
Alex nodded through his tears, though he was still trembling with fear. "The bridge… it broke," he said, his voice shaking. "The car… it flipped. Mamma… she hit her head…"
Maya's breath hitched as she listened to him recount the terrifying events. Her hands worked quickly alongside Jack's, and they finally managed to pry the door open just enough for her to reach inside. She leaned in carefully, trying not to disturb the wreckage as she unbuckled Alex's seatbelt.
"It's okay, Alex," Maya whispered as she gently lifted him out of the car, holding him close to her chest. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Alex clung to her tightly, his little body shaking with sobs as he buried his face in her shoulder. "Mamma… where's Mamma?" he cried, his voice filled with panic.
Maya felt her throat tighten with emotion, but she kissed the top of Alex's head, trying to comfort him as best she could. "Mamma's okay," she repeated softly. "The paramedics are helping her, just like they're helping you. You're both going to be okay."
As she cradled Alex in her arms, Maya glanced over to where the rest of the team was carefully lifting Carina onto a stretcher. Her heart ached at the sight of Carina unconscious, her body battered from the crash, but Maya forced herself to stay strong—for Alex, for Carina, for both of them.
Alex lifted his head from Maya's shoulder, his tears still flowing as he looked up at her with wide, frightened eyes. "Is Mamma gonna wake up?" he asked, his voice small and filled with worry.
Maya swallowed hard, fighting back her own tears as she held him close. "Yes, Alex," she said softly, her voice filled with as much reassurance as she could muster. "Mamma's going to wake up. She's very strong, just like you. The doctors are going to take care of her, and we'll all be together soon."
Alex sniffled and nodded, though the fear in his eyes hadn't completely faded. He held onto Maya tightly as the paramedics continued to work, carefully loading Carina into the ambulance. The scene around them was still filled with chaos, but all Maya could focus on was the small boy in her arms and the woman she loved being taken to the hospital.
As Maya carried Alex from the car, she noticed that his sobs were becoming quieter, but his body still trembled. Warren met her at the triage area, his face a mix of concern and focus as he quickly assessed Alex. He crouched down to Alex's level, trying to comfort him with a soft smile while his professional gaze swept over the little boy.
"Hey there, buddy," Warren said gently, giving Alex a reassuring smile. "We're going to take good care of you, okay? I just need to check you over and see what's hurting. Can you tell me where it hurts the most?"
Alex winced and whimpered as Warren gently examined him. "My leg… it hurts a lot," Alex whispered through his tears, his small hand clutching tightly to Maya's shirt.
Warren carefully ran his hands over Alex's leg, feeling for any signs of injury. As he palpated the area, Alex cried out in pain, and Maya's stomach twisted at the sound. Warren's face grew serious, his hands steady as he confirmed his suspicion.
"I think his leg is broken," Warren said, his voice calm but urgent. "We need to get it stabilized as quickly as possible. Maya, can you hold him steady while I work?"
Maya nodded, keeping Alex close to her as she cradled him, whispering soothing words into his ear. "You're so brave, Alex," she said softly. "We're going to make sure you're okay."
Warren moved swiftly, retrieving supplies to stabilize Alex's leg. He worked carefully, explaining each step to both Maya and Alex as he splinted the broken bone. Maya held Alex still, her heart breaking every time he whimpered or winced in pain, but she kept her voice calm, doing everything she could to make him feel safe.
"I know it hurts," Warren said gently as he finished securing the splint. "But this is going to help keep your leg still so it can heal. We'll get you to the hospital soon, and they'll make sure everything is taken care of."
Alex nodded weakly, his face pale and streaked with tears, but he kept his eyes on Maya, finding comfort in her presence. "Mamma's going to be okay, right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maya's heart clenched at the question, but she forced herself to smile for his sake. "Yes, Alex," she said softly, brushing a tear from his cheek. "Mamma's going to be okay. The doctors are helping her right now, just like Warren is helping you."
As Warren finished treating Alex's leg, Maya couldn't help but glance back toward the wreckage, where the rest of the team was still working to get Carina out of the car. The knot of fear in her stomach tightened, but she pushed it aside, focusing on Alex. He needed her right now, and she couldn't afford to fall apart.
Warren finished securing the splint and looked up at Maya, giving her a small nod of reassurance. "He's stable for now," Warren said. "We'll get him transported to the hospital soon, but his leg should hold until we get there. How are you holding up?"
Maya took a deep breath, her hands gently stroking Alex's hair as she kept him close. "I'm holding it together," she said quietly, her voice strained. "I just… I need Carina to be okay."
Warren placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're going to do everything we can," he said firmly. "Right now, focus on Alex. He needs you, Maya."
Maya nodded, her throat tight with emotion as she looked down at Alex, who was starting to calm down in her arms. She kissed his forehead softly, whispering comforting words as she cradled him against her chest.
Just as Warren and Maya were preparing Alex for transport, they heard a shout from the wreckage. Maya's heart skipped a beat as she looked up and saw Andy and Vic signaling to the paramedics. They had finally managed to get Carina free from the car, and she was being carefully lifted out of the wreckage in the stretcher..
Maya's breath caught in her throat as she watched the paramedics rush Carina toward the waiting ambulance. She wanted to run to her, to be by her side, but she couldn't leave Alex. He still needed her, and she couldn't let him see the fear she was feeling.
Instead, she pressed her forehead gently against Alex's and whispered, "We're going to see Mamma soon, okay? We're all going to be together."