For a moment, there was nothing.
No sound, no breath.
Then pain surged in—sharp and disorienting.
Alexander groaned, his head falling forward as the airbag deflated in front of him.
Smoke curled from the hood.
Somewhere, faintly, he heard Lucas shouting his name through the speakers.
"Alexander—Alexander, answer me!"
His vision blurred but he forced his eyes open.
Blood dripped warm along his temple and his chest burned every time he inhaled but he was conscious, barely.
"Lucas," he rasped with all the strength he could muster
Relief exploded through the speaker. "Oh thank God. Don't move. Help is coming. I have already called it in."
Alexander swallowed, pain radiating through him as the reality settled in.
As sirens began to wail in the distance, he slowly closed his eyes letting the darkness consume him.
…..
[Carter Mansion]
