“I thought I could make it. I really thought I could make it.” There I sat, trapped between crushed metal and the seat. My vision blurred, glasses smashed, but through the broken windshield, I could see the traffic light finally turn green. If only I had waited a minute longer. I felt something with my left hand. My glasses. It hurt to move my arm, even when trying, it was difficult to put them back on. Not that it was much use, they’d broken in the accident, one of the lenses missing, the other cracked, and the bridge was bent.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the other car, the driver face down on the wheel. Was he breathing? I couldn’t tell. I remembered what led me to this, sleeping late, having forgotten to set my alarm, rushing to get ready and leave the house, and finally, speeding up when that light turned yellow. I couldn’t be late again, this would have been my third time this month. There was a good chance I could lose my job, but that didn’t seem to matter now. I tried to move my right arm but I immediately stopped from the pain. I looked down at it, it was certainly broken. There was blood flooding out, making me feel lightheaded, and started hearing sirens. As I lost consciousness I finally saw the flashing red lights.