Chapter 4

The sound of the impact was terrifying. The windshield burst in. Rachel felt the enormous force that pressed down on her body. Then, abruptly everything went black.

A couple of minutes later, she regained consciousness. The first thing she saw was the twisted dashboard. Knuckles white, her hands were still clutched on the steering wheel. The front of the car was crushed. The hood had turned into surrealistic sculpture. She nearly laughed at the thought.

"Do you hear me, ma'am?"

Rachel turned to the left and saw a man was trying to open the driver's door.

"Yep," she answered perkily, trying to regain composure.

"Are you all right? Do you feel any pain?" the man inquired as he was fumbling with the door.

"I am not really sure. My head is still dizzy..."

"Didn't you see the red light?"

"Of course I saw it, but the car didn't stop. I think there is something wrong with the brakes."

Rachel looked at the rear- view mirror and saw her frightened face. There was a tiny scratch on her forehead. She examined it closely and took her purse. She was about to open it when she felt that the fingers of her left hand were numb. Her little finger was twitching spasmodically. As she was moving her fingers, the pain exploded. It shot up her forearm, toward her shoulder.