Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 32

"It’s been so long-it’ll be hard to uncover anything now," Joseph murmured, his eyes darkening at the memory.

As the siblings continued their discussion, their cars approached an intersection. Suddenly, a speeding truck barreled toward Danielle’s car. The crash was deafening. Metal crumpled, and Danielle’s car was thrown dozens of yards before flipping onto its roof in the middle of the road, a twisted wreck.

Joseph slammed on the brakes and leapt out of his car with Danielle close behind. They sprinted to the wreck. Blood trickled from Julian’s mouth, staining his shirt. The air reeked of iron and dread as death loomed over the crash site.

Joseph immediately called for an ambulance and the police. When the authorities arrived, they found the truck driver trembling in shock. After a brief exchange, they escorted the man away for questioning. Danielle crouched beside Julian, checking his pulse. It was faint. Pulling a pill from her bag, she slipped it into his mouth. The pill slowed the bleeding as she worked to stabilize him. Though she managed to stop the blood loss, his injuries were severe- likely internal damage.

arrived, paramedics loaded Julian onto a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital. Danielle and Joseph followed closely behind

Operating Room.

into surgery. Danielle donned a white coat and mask, stepping into the operating room herself to take

Danielle’s eyes, steady and sharp, were the only part of her face visible. She gripped the scalpel with unwavering determination. Julian had taken her place in the accident-she wouldn’t let him die. Julian lay on the hospital bed, pale

operating room was brightly lit, stark

"Anesthesia."

"Disinfect the skin."

"Scalpel."