I panic. There is no other way to put it. I scramble to take my seatbelt off and get out of the SUV. Running around to the driver's side, I slip but quickly regain my footing. When I get to her door, I slowly open it and reach inside to check for a pulse.
There it is. I let out the breath I've been holding. She's alive, just out cold. Scanning our surroundings I notice a neighborhood not far down the bank from where we sit. The temperature is dropping fast and all I know for certain is we can't stay here. The vehicle is a mess and has little chance of recovery in the time we need it. If we stay, we definitely freeze. There is no other choice.
Taking off the blanket that I had wrapped around me that mom brought, I curl it over her shoulders and around her body. Being as easy as I possibly can, I lift her into my arms and slowly make the trek down the bank towards the houses. There has to be someone that can help me.
I soon realize how drastically wrong I was in thinking that. The street reminds me of a ghost town. They have all gone.
With little option left, I go up the porch stairs of the nearest house and with a few bumbled kicks, I'm able to get the door open.
Placing mom on the couch, I turn and shut the door then preceed to scavange the home we so blatantly have taken over. Considering the circumstances, I have a feeling the previous occupants won't mind the intrusion.
I find a couple quilts, a few extra clothes, and some food. I use the quilts to cover mom, then hunt down the bathroom for medical supplies. Finding what I need, I rush back to the den and proceed to clean and cover the open split on Mom's head. Not knowing what else to do, I sit on the floor near her head and cover up. Now all I can do is wait and hope she wakes up soon so we can figure out how to get through this mess.