There was a brief period when the darkness reigned. I gasped for air when I opened my eyes and took a frantic look around.
The question, "What? Where am I?"
Hello, relaxed. How are you?
I turned to face Ashley. She had been born. In the car, that is. I suddenly felt tears starting to fall.
I gasped, "What the hell was that?" with wide eyes.
She questioned, "What was what?"
"The collision. You were gone."
I'm not dead, you know.
"You were, and a truck ran into us. What's going on?"
I watched as the trees flew by as I peered out the window. I got to my feet and looked about.
"This appears to be very familiar."
"Huh?"
We're going to reach a T after this bend; you must turn right.
Okay, I see.
"There will be a broken-down pickup on your side, a mailbox, and a really, really big tree on my side," the speaker said.
The statement "Right. Crazy."
She noticed the truck as she rounded the corner.
Strange, she murmured.
"Don't leave."
"What?"
I said again, "Don't leave.
Do not leave?
I gave a headshake. Just wait, a dump truck that loses control will be coming barreling through the stop sign and won't stop in about 30 seconds.
"Trucks are not here."
"Plz don't leave just yet."
Okay, I won't leave.
The world's longest thirty seconds of stillness were spent among us. Just as the truck drove passed us, Ashley let out a loud groan.
As we watched the errant truck fly off the side of the road and land in the ditch, she yelled, "Holy shit!"
I responded, releasing my seatbelt, "That truck was supposed to hit us.
We hurried to the scene of the truck crash as she did the same. We opened the passenger side door while the back tire was still spinning.
Hey, are you alright?
He sighed a little.
"Call for assistance as soon as possible while I unbuckle his seatbelt, then come assist me."
Ashley gently said, "Yeah," and she ran back to get her phone.
I reached over to the man's side and said, "I'm taking your seatbelt off, okay?"
The same as before, blood was all over his shoulder.
I asked, "What happened?"
Everything simply failed, so I-I don't know.
Ashley returned and assisted me in getting him out. I took a towel off the dashboard and put it around his neck.
"What's wrong?" you ask.
I'm not sure; he's bleeding.
Did he receive a cut?
"There's nothing in there. I don't know what's going on."
She questioned, "Was he bleeding when we were hit?"
Yes, I had assumed it was related to the disaster.
Okay, this whole situation is strange.
"I'm currently completely freaking out."
As soon as the sirens started, the man passed out. I sat there supporting his neck with the blood-stained cloth.
Ashley pointed behind me and said, "Wh-what is that?"
I whirled around to see a brilliant white light coming from the truck's side.
I questioned, "Wait, you can see that?"
"Yeah, yeah,"
Artemis materialized in front of us while we stared.
What in the name of the Goddess?
"Artemis."
The phrase "My child."
"What is happening?"
You have identified a talent you possess.
"Ellie...Ellie...Ellie..."
Ashley's outburst next to me was disregarded by me.
One of my presents?
"Foresight, Elanor. Yes."
"Ellie..."
Ashley, what?
She said, "Who is the smart, pretty lady?"
Artemis swung around to face my friend. "Good day, sweet child."
"H-hi."
Ashley, this is Artemis, our Goddess.
Artemis grinned at my friend, who was now quiet.
She mumbled, "I can see the Goddess.
Ashley, I must thank you for believing my daughter despite how absurd it all sounds for choosing to allow you to see me as well.
"It's all true; I knew it was true, but it's like true true. Oh, my Goddess. This is like a thing. It's happening."
I glanced Ashley's way. "Artemis, what's going on? I don't understand what happened to him."
She sent a glance the man's way. She squatted down next to me and touched my hands. She swiftly retreated and got up.
Ashley questioned, "What?"
It seems familiar, yet it's so hazy around him; that is no ordinary wound.
I questioned, "The looming threat."
She gave a somber nod.
"What should I do?"
You both need to figure out what is causing this because there is nothing you can do to stop those who are coming from taking him.
Ashley seemed slightly alarmed as she questioned, "Both? What do you mean both? What is going on?"
That strange feeling I've been experiencing is what I was describing to you, and it's getting closer.
How can we determine what this is?
We'll have to search the area before the police arrive.
"That's what it will be like now,"
I have to quickly peek at his pickup before they arrive, Artemis. I'm sorry.
Of course, kid, but go quickly because I sense a threat coming.
I shook my head and lowered Ashley. "Hold your hands right here."
She said, "Where are you going?"
I'm heading to his truck to quickly see what I can find.
I got in the dump truck and started to look about. Surprisingly, nobody was there. The floor was covered in a clipboard. I took it and started reading it. Misty Pines was where he last stopped.
We are going there, how convenient.
I suppose that's where we should begin our search.
I have to leave, Elanor.
I leapt from the vehicle and peered at Artemis.
She extended her hand and cupped my cheek, saying, "Goodbye, for now."
"See you later, mom."
As swiftly as she had appeared, she grinned and disappeared.
Ashley remarked, "I'm really perplexed.
"Whenever I see her, I still get confused."
What's going on, what are we doing, and what happened to him, then?
"Whatever threat is on the horizon is approaching quickly, but we are unsure of what it is."
"Right."
Whatever the threat was, it had to have affected this individual or brought about this mishap.
Right again, Ashely said.
So, based on his clipboard, he originated in Misty Pines. We'll need to do additional exploring once we arrive in Misty Pines.
"For whom does he work?"She enquired.
The letterhead on his page said, "Harry's Trucking," so I said, "Uh, let me look. Looks like a place called Harry's Trucking."
Okay, so Harry is located.
"Yeah, we need to track down Harry."
Two women got out of the ambulance with a bag and ran to us as it came to a grinding halt as it approached.
"What transpired?" they enquired.
They bandaged his wound and loaded him into the ambulance as a police car showed up. Ashley and I told them everything about the trucker driving past us, colliding, and stating that everything failed.
As the police officer's partner looked at the accident, we retold the tale.
He said, "You gals are lucky that you're okay.
We exchanged glances before agreeing to disagree.
"Well, you two are free to go; we're going to have this truck towed."
We both nodded before stepping out to the car.
"We were expected to pass away?Ashley enquired.
"It was you. two of you: the driver.
That would have been terrible.
Yes, that is true.
Let's get over to Misty Pines and solve this bizarre situation.
Still in shock from what had transpired, we drove for a while in silence.
A sign for the road finally arrived after an hour.
Enjoy your visit in Misty Pines territory!
We're here, I suppose," she remarked.
"There's nothing here," I muttered.
"Misty Pines isn't known for having anything in excess,"
I suppose not. We should locate the town.