Everything spun. The storm outside blurred into gray. He leaned his head against the steering wheel, forcing his eyes to stay open. “Not yet,” he muttered. “Not yet…” His body begged for unconsciousness, but his will clung to the edge, refusing to let go. They needed him awake. Just a little longer.
Then—lights. Flashing red. A siren’s wail, slicing through the night. The car door flew open. A paramedic’s face appeared, a flurry of motion and cold air. Alan couldn’t lift his head. Could barely breathe. But he moved a trembling hand toward the blanket. “Save them,” he rasped. “Please… save them…”