Beyond the Divorce

When I grabbed Lauren, she used all her strength to shield me. My body uncontrollably plummeted to the left and I experienced a dizzying spin. Lauren held me tightly in her embrace as the car violently tumbled. A horrible crashing sound drowned out our screams.

It seemed like everything had finally come to a halt. I felt dazed as if my consciousness had slipped away.

Suddenly, I sensed icy water splashing over me, and my senses sharpened. My arm throbbed with piercing pain.

"Lauren..." My voice was weak. I felt Lauren under me, and she didn't let go.

"Lauren..." I called again, receiving no response. The air carried a faint smell of blood mixed with the scent of rain and the bitter aroma of the plants.

"Lauren, are you okay? Lauren..." I adjusted my body, attempting to check on Lauren.

Suddenly, a sense of terror overwhelmed me. The silence was eerie. Raindrops drummed against the cracked car window, creating a constant tapping sound. But Lauren still did not say a word.

I shifted my body. I could move, but our entire car was tilted to the left.

Lauren was beneath me, and I used my hands to support the car seat on her side, freeing myself from her grip. I wanted to lift my body out, but the car plummeted downward again. I screamed and quickly stopped moving.

"Lauren, can you hear me?" I shouted.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

A profound fear engulfed me. I tried to look down to see her, but my movements were severely restricted. I was trapped and unable to budge. "Lauren, wake up! Answer me!"

The smell of blood grew stronger. She lay motionless, still shielding me.

"Help... Help!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Rain splattered into the car through the shattered window, hitting my face. "Help..."

I roared with all my might, "Atlas... Help! Someone, please, help Lauren!"

My shouts echoed inside the car, drowned out by the rain. I dared not move.

Suddenly, I remembered the phone I had dropped mid-call with Atlas before the car had rolled over. I fervently hoped that the call hadn't been disconnected and the phone was still in the car. Maybe he could hear my cries for help.

I heard the faint sound of his voice. "Chlo... Tell me what's going on!"

"Help, Atlas..."

"Don't be afraid... Hold on..."

I didn't know how much time had passed. It felt like an excruciatingly long time.

Finally, I heard shouts around me, accompanied by loud, commanding voices and someone calling my name. Not long after, I felt the car slowly moving downward.

Overjoyed, my vision became increasingly blurred, rain still relentlessly splashing onto my face. I finally lost consciousness...

It felt like I was in a dream. I was in a

narrow space inside a dilapidated car, desperately moving forward Someone held tightly onto my body, and another voice shouted, "Don't be afraid. Hold on to me."

"Mr. Atlas, don't move..." Another voice pleaded, "Lean over here!"

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The car continued to shake, and the branches rattled against it. After another intense shake, the car suddenly changed direction. I felt like a bird as I flew out of the half-open window. I heard a heart-rending cry. "Stella...! Stella!"

"Mr. Atlas, no..."

My body fell rapidly...

Ah!

Over?