As he hung up the phone, Justin couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling over him. He knew he had to be strong for Alicia, but he wasn't sure if he could handle it.
He drove back to work,his mind racing with worry. He couldn't stop thinking about Alicia, lying in the hospital, fighting for her life. He needed to be there for her, no matter what.
As he turned onto his street, he saw a figure dart out into the road. He slammed on the brakes, his heart racing. He looked up to see a young girl, no more than six or seven, standing in the middle of the street.
"Oh my God," Justin said, his hands shaking. "Are you okay?"
The girl nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to."
Justin got out of the car and knelt down beside her. "It's okay," he said. "Just be careful, okay?"
