Tears welled up in Matthew's eyes as he reached out to touch Marilyn, hoping against hope that she would wake up and smile at him like she always did. But her small form lay unnaturally still, her blond hair matted with blood.
He tried to move, pain shooting through him with every attempt. With trembling hands, he fumbled for the seatbelt release, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. He managed to push the door open, gasping for air as he stumbled out onto the road.
The world outside was a blur of flashing lights and sirens, the wail of approaching ambulances mingling with the distant sound of voices. Matthew collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks as he realised he was the only survivor.
Paramedics rushed to his side, their voices a distant murmur as they checked his injuries. Everything felt surreal, as if he had been thrust into a nightmare from which he couldn't wake up.
