Death Collides

Under the grey clouds that makes up the afternoon sky, rain poured down upon the city of Aspen, Colorado. The roads were wet, and slippery; causing old people to drive much slower than what they are presumably known for, and giving the speedsters a scare for their life as they hit a spot that sends them in a different direction than what they were aiming for. With the December air creating a thin sheet of ice to cover the roads, it was a trap for those that dared to battle against Mother Nature.

There was laughter that rang through the air; escaping the lips of thirty-year-old Hana McCormik as her boyfriend of two years joked about their upcoming vacation. Skiing. It was an activity they had wanted to experience for many months now, and had only found the time, and money to do so this weekend, within the mountains of Aspen, Colorado; a very popular resort town known for skiing, and other recreational activities.

With the rain pouring down from the sky, it made it difficult to see through the windshield. Hana kept her foot lightly on the gas pedal; pressing down every so often to keep her SUV going at an average speed down the road. Trees surrounded the narrows streets, and with the dimly lit sky above, it made it hard to notice others coming from around the sharp turns.

“Maybe you should slow down a bit,” Matthew threw out there; his laugh now dying out as his body relaxed against the leather passenger seat.

Hana couldn’t help but grin a little in amusement. “I’m going 30mph already, babe. Calm yourself.” It was rare that he allowed her to drive, and after annoying the hell out of him back at the hotel they stayed in last night, Matthew had finally gave it; tossing her the keys, and allowing his fiancee to get behind the wheel of the SUV. “It’s not like I’ve never driven before.”

Her fiancee snorted with that comment. “Sometimes, I wonder, though. With your bad driving.”

“Hey! I am not a bad driver,” she stated; a hand leaving the steering wheel to swat at his arm with an audible slap ringing through the air.

“Then keep your hands on the wheel, and eyes on the road, you psycho.” Another laugh filled the car due to Hana’s actions. “We have another hour to go, and I want to get there without any complications.”

A frown crossed the woman’s lips then in a pouting fashion. “Am I really that terrible?”

Silence surrounded them for only a moment, before Matthew’s deep voice resonated the air. “Let’s just say you can be a bit better. You’re a woman. Bad driving skills are your forte.” He held a twinge of amusement within his words as he looked towards Hana; still carefree as ever. Noticing the frown upon her features, Matthew let out a small sigh; a hand reaching over to rest on her jean-covered thigh. “Doesn’t make me love you any less, though.”

The feeling of his hand on her thigh made a shock of electricity to course through her petite body, which also brought that captivating smile of hers to her lips. “I still can’t believe we are getting married this Spring,” she spoke; reliving the romantic proposal within her mind. Flowers, and an elegant dinner at one of the five-star restaurants back home. Matthew getting down on one knee, and stating he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. How else could she say no? There was no resistance, or hesitation. The moment that diamond ring slid onto her finger, she jumped into his arms, where she would happily be until the very end.

“Well, it’s gonna happen,” he stated; his famous crooked smile taking over those soft lips of his. “And it’s gonna be amazing.”

With his words, Hana took her hand off of the steering wheel; fingers now entwining around his, where both hands now rested upon her thigh. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” No, she wouldn’t. Her gaze left the road for a fraction of a second; emerald hues meeting resonating baby blues, before the sudden sound of tires screeching caught their attention.

Instantly, Hana noticed the jeep heading their way; hydroplaning, and losing control before suddenly hitting them from the front. The sudden impact sent them both back; their heads coming in contact with the back of the leather seats with a very hard hit that sent a shock of pain through Hana’s body which made it’s way up and down her spine. A cry passed her lips, before it was interrupted by another sound of breaks locking, and tires screeching against the wet asphalt from behind.

The beeping sound pierced the air; vibrating the entire SUV just as the front of the truck made contact with the back of their car; sending them forward with a spin. Due to the impact, it sent the SUV down the side of the road; into a ditch, where the front bumper stopped with the help of a couple trees.

Grinding metal. Glass shattering. It was all that Hana could hear ringing against her eardrums, before her hands came to rest on the tree branch that had crashed through the windshield, and made it’s way through her abdomen. She felt the unbearable pain take over; a piercing scream, laced with cries for help, soon filled the SUV. Matthew - whose head was bleeding uncontrollably - was now unconscious against the dashboard. Hana could hear the screaming, and yelling from the road, before the sound of shuffling feet approached the SUV. It was just a matter of time before two male strangers came from either side of the car. Questions, upon questions going over her head as the pain made it too damned difficult for her to listen.

‘There’s no pulse. He’s dead.’

‘Ma’am, I am calling for an ambulance. Stay with me.’

‘Dammit, Ryan. How the fuck is she gonna get outta this?’

Before Hana knew it, her world was becoming black. Their voices sounded as if they were in the distance, despite being right next to her. The pain… it ceased gradually, as her breathing became shallower by the second. It wasn’t long until her heart stopped beating, with Matthew being the last thing on her mind before death collided with reality.

Word Count ; 1,058

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