Hit and Run

It came out of nowhere. Streets slick from a sudden shower, lamp light reflecting in unexpected directions. Quiet. Late. She never jaywalks but after triple checking and the coast being clear she stepped into the roadway. She heard it before she saw it. It felt like seconds before her mind made the connection. A car, barreling towards her. A silver late model BMW sedan, swerving into the intersection at full throttle. Coming out of U turn from somewhere. It really is like they say: caught in the headlights. In slow motion she couldn't discern if the car was coming at her or going around her. It was wet, late, barren. This shouldn't be happening, not here, not now. She stops, trying to judge which way to move. Go forward, skirt back, zigzag across. All she knows is that at his moment, this very second in time she is in stasis, suspended. A simple walk home after class, a subway ride with a colleague discussing the merits of an outdoor sculpture park in Montreal she really must see. On life and love and relationships. Work and career versus self fullfillment. She wonders whether or not they'll take her organs. She has good organs, two perfect kidneys, a great set of lungs, a high functioning heart. Good vision, even at night. Skin, lots of skin. People need skin. And corneas and kidneys. Liver. Funny what senses dominate in moments of crisis. The surge of adrenaline temporarily deafens her. First impact takes out her knees, spinning her up and diagonally across the winshield. She careens through the air and lands adjacent the sidewalk, limbs splayed at unnatural angles, her head cocked to the sky. Look at that moon, waning. There is no pain, not yet. Soon; this she knows. Or hopes. That would mean she has survived. Something to that affect. The darkness comes like a blanket being drawn over her head. They used to build blanket forts just like this. It's a fast slide. All the leftovers in the fridge. Her birthday cupcake. There's laundry in the dryer. The litter box needs cleaning. A dental check up Tuesday. Oh, this jacket. She loved this jacket. And watch. Smashed, ruined. All for naught. She didn't see him coming. This was not how she thought it would end. After everything she's been through, this is not how she thought it would go. No, not at all.

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