BLAZE*

Vega and Jace took off like a bat out of hell, leaving Tanner and me standing there in shock. Left to ponder what we were supposed to do with what had just transpired.

"What are we supposed to do now, Blaze?"

"I have no clue what to do, Tanner."

As the most level-headed one among us, I found myself not in my right mind at the moment. To clear my head, I took a walk and gazed out into the serene pasture. To my surprise, cars approached just moments later. Glancing down at my Rolex, I realized that everyone in the family had arrived ten minutes early. Normally, I would have loved the fact that they were all early, but at this moment, I wished they had run late. Gathering my thoughts, I took a deep breath and made my way back to Tanner.

"We do the viewing of the home, hand over the keys, and then we reach out to Jace. It's the only thing we can do, Tanner."

What other responsibilities did I have at this moment? I had just recently met Vega, and we had a conversation for about twenty minutes. However, I know Jace has feelings for Vega. Therefore, it was important for Tanner and me to be there to support him.

***

We had made it through half of the house and hadn't even been outside yet when Jace called Tanner.

"Hey Jace, how is Lyra doing?"

"Oh man. That's doesn't sound good at all. I'm sorry. Where are they taking her? Blaze and I will run by there once we're done here."

"Ok, Blaze and I are still here at the ranch, but we will try to get there as soon as possible."

"Jace said that Lyra's heart had stopped, and that they had loaded her up in the ambulance and took her to Covenant," Tanner said after I had excused myself from the family for a moment.

I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Vega. She appeared to be a genuinely kind-hearted girl. Despite the awkwardness of the dream incident, I can overlook it. Tanner and I informed the family about what had transpired, and they allowed us to leave after giving them the keys.

LYRA*

The world plunged into darkness, erasing all traces of pain. Suddenly, a radiant light pierced through the abyss, illuminating everything. I found myself suspended, surrounded by a breathtaking spectacle.

Am I having another crazy dream or what? Glancing down at the scene below me, I am suspended in the air, and I am greeted by a sensory feast. My family and I are on a mesmerizing beach. The organizers have meticulously arranged every element for a wedding ceremony that is about to unfold. As I hover, I take in the breathtaking sight of white chairs neatly aligned in rows, adorned with delicate rose petals and intertwined with the fresh scent of ivy. The air filled with a gentle breeze, carrying the faint aroma of salty ocean mist. My gaze drawn to a stunning wedding arc, adorned with the same ivy and rose petals, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

As I scanned the area, my eyes locked onto Jace and the mysterious man from my dream, positioned confidently towards the audience. The air filled with anticipation as both men stood tall, donning sleek black tuxedos adorned with silver dress shirts that shimmered under the soft glow of the lights. Standing beside them were two unidentified men, their presence adding an air of intrigue to the scene, their tuxedos perfectly tailored and complemented by vibrant red dress shirts. Across the room, my cousins Leann and Veronica stood gracefully, their stunning red bridesmaids' dresses illuminating the space with their vibrant hue. The atmosphere was palpable, a mix of excitement and uncertainty as I grasped the exquisite visual spectacle before me.

'Adieus' by Karl Jenkins played in the background, and then I saw Vega and me walking down on rose petal-covered sand.

Vega and I glimmered in our stunning silver wedding dresses, their shimmering fabric reflecting the soft light from the setting sun. Our dad stood proudly between us, his arms linked with ours. As we approached the two men, the air filled with anticipation and the faint scent of roses from the floral arrangements.

With a tender smile, my dad leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on Vega's cheek, passing her into the arms of Jace. Then, turning to me, he planted a quick peck on my cheek, his warm affection enveloping me. In that moment, my heart raced with excitement as I witnessed my dad handing me over to the man who had always been the embodiment of my dreams.

Somehow I'm able to hear the man speaking to me even though I'm floating in the air. "You ready, beautiful?"

In an instant, the once vivid scene dissolved, replaced by the blaring wails of sirens that pierced through the air. However, my efforts to open my eyes were in vain; an overwhelming agony flooded back into my body, consuming me with its intensity.

Someone's hand grasped mine, and I heard a voice I couldn't place. "We got her back! Hold on, Lyra. We're almost at the hospital."

"Lyra. It's me, Vega. I'm here with you, Lyra. Please, don't leave me again. I can't imagine what I would do if you were to go away. Without you, I would feel lost."

My hand twitched uncontrollably, and my surroundings became a chaotic mess because I still couldn't open my eyes. The excruciating pain consumed me, making every nerve in my body scream. The air filled with the sound of my agonized screams echoing through the ambulance.

VEGA*

Once inside the ambulance, the fireman and paramedic worked with unyielding determination, their actions accompanied by the frantic beeping of medical equipment. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air as they swiftly stripped away Lyra's clothes, revealing the vulnerability of her body. With practiced precision, they inserted an IV into her right arm, providing a lifeline of fluids. The sight of her disfigured left arm and leg sent a shiver down my spine. It was a delicate task to extricate her from the wreckage without exacerbating her injuries. With unwavering strength, the fireman carefully cradled her limbs, ensuring they remained immobile, like fragile porcelain.

We swiftly reached the hospital, the accident scene just a short distance away, a fortunate circumstance. As we stepped inside, the air filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant, mingling with the faint aroma of coffee from the nearby cafeteria. My dad's face, lined with worry, welcomed us, accompanied by a bustling team of dedicated doctors.

"Get her to the CT machine STAT," dad yelled.

The vigilant ambulance driver ensured to inform them about every drug given and kept them updated on the events since rescuing Lyra from the car. Following hospital policy, my dad remained by my side, alongside my mom and me, as we absorbed the bustling sights, the echoing sounds, the sterile smell, and the palpable tension in the air.

Sometime later, an intern walked up to us.

"Dr. Riley, sir. We took Lyra straight to surgery," the doctor informed dad. "Her brain was swelling, and there was an active bleed. She lost a lot of blood, so if any of you could donate blood, it would help. I apologize for taking so long to come to you. There were complications during the CT scan. Lyra will have to undergo extensive reconstruction of her left arm and leg. Fortunately, her pelvis remained intact and undamaged, though she has a few broken ribs. I'll arrange for a nurse to assist all of you with the blood donation, but I must get back to attend to Lyra. Rest assured, Dr. Riley, we have the best of the best working on your daughter." He assured dad before finding a nurse to help with the donation process and walking away, promising to provide frequent updates.

I left Jace with my mom since he had arrived shortly after us. It was only my dad and I who shared Lyra's blood type. Trying my best to keep it together, I must admit that it's quite a challenge.

It is hard to believe that the man who caused the hit and run was intoxicated, especially since the accident happened at ten in the morning. Hard to believe since the accident happened at ten in the morning. If my sister had perished, I can only imagine the overwhelming fury my family and I would unleash upon him, leaving him longing for his own demise.

AN HOUR LATER*

After an hour, Tanner and Blaze stepped into the bustling ER waiting room. The fluorescent lights overhead hummed softly, casting a pale glow on the worn-out furniture. The air carried a sterile scent, mingled with the faint aroma of coffee from a nearby cafe. Blaze's eyes widened in disbelief, as if I had sprouted two heads, but he quickly regained composure and forced a strained smile. Jace stood from his seat, the squeak of the vinyl chair echoing in the room, as Tanner approached him, embracing him tightly.

Tanner looked over at me and asked, "Do you have any updates on your sister?"

Through tear-filled eyes, I informed them, "She's currently undergoing surgery. The doctors diagnosed her with a brain bleed and also discovered that she has a broken left arm, leg, and ribs. However, we have received no further updates."

"I'm so sorry this has happened, Vega." Tanner said.

Jace sat back down next to me and pulled me into a tight embrace. Blaze and Tanner sat across from us.

About thirty minutes later, the intern from before walked up to us.

"Dr. Riley, sir," he stated as he shook my dad's hand. "They have successfully contained the brain-bleed, and the swelling in her brain has also decreased. Ortho is ready to step in and start reconstructing her arm and leg. I'll return to update you as soon as possible." He nodded, then walked away.

BLAZE TWO HOURS LATER*

It's now well past lunch, specifically three in the afternoon. I realized that if I'm starving, everyone else must also be famished.

I whispered into Tanner's ear, "Maybe we should go get everyone something to eat." Tanner nodded in agreement, and we both stood up.

"Mr. and Mrs. Riley. Tanner, and I would like to go get lunch for everyone if that's alright?"

As they all looked at us and nodded, Vega remained with her head buried in Jace's chest. It seemed she had fallen asleep while crying. It was apparent that Vega and Lyra were close, but I realized I knew very little about Lyra and her family.

"Yes, son, that would be great. Anything would be fine," Mr. Riley said, with a hint of an Irish accent.

I said over my shoulder, "Yes, sir, we will be back shortly," as Tanner and I walked out the door. We hopped in my truck and drove to a burger joint downtown.

Once Tanner and I returned, we handed out all the food and bottled water. We were unsure what to get everyone to drink, and water seemed the safest bet.

We all gathered, the aroma of our food filling the room. Vega picked at her plate, consuming only half before restlessly pacing back and forth. Jace, a comforting presence, rose from his seat and enveloped her in a gentle embrace. Their footsteps echoed softly as they traversed the room. I yearned to offer more solace, but I understood the necessity of my distance. Our connection, a fleeting dream, remained unattainable, dissipating into the air.

VEGA TWO HOURS LATER*

After our hearty meal, the intern entered the room, breaking the silence with the sound of the door creaking open. He informed us that Lyra was in a stable condition, but cautioned us that the surgery would be lengthy. The room filled with the aroma of antiseptic, mingling with the comforting scent of our recent meal. The intern delved into a sea of medical terminology, speaking about rods and pins, their words washing over me like a gentle wave. Exhaustion settled in, making it impossible for me to muster the energy to inquire about the details of my concerned parents.

Blaze had got over whatever bugged him about me. He came over and started asking me more about myself. Then Blaze began asking questions about Lyra. I told him about us being twins and how we were both getting our psychology degrees.

It wasn't until I pulled out my phone and started showing him pictures of Lyra and me together; that he got that glazed look on his face. When I got to a picture of Lyra and Steven, he asked who the guy was. I explained what I knew about them breaking up last night.

Blaze got up suddenly and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

'What in the world is going on with him?' I thought to myself.

BLAZE*

About an hour ago, I decided to conquer my awkward silence and approach Vega. However, as soon as she mentioned that she and Lyra were twins, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I could feel the color drain from my face. Desperately, I tried to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes. Then Vega showed me pictures of her and Lyra together. To my astonishment, they weren't just twins; they were identical twins. My heart sank when Vega reached a photo of Lyra with some guy, and feelings of jealousy consumed me.

"Who's that guy with Lyra?"

"Oh, that's Steven, her ex-boyfriend. They broke up last night. They were together for six months. I haven't talked to Lyra much about it, though. We were supposed to hang out after we got home from the ranch so she could tell me what happened between the two of them last night. I guess that will not happen now."

Three years ago, I saw Lyra and felt an immediate connection with her. She is my soulmate. Contrary to what I dreamed about last night, it wasn't Vega, but Lyra, who occupied my thoughts. Unfortunately, she is currently undergoing surgery, and I feel helpless as I cannot do anything about it.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I hadn't even met Lyra face to face yet, but I felt as if someone had run me over. I shut the bathroom door and locked it, and I let the tears flow. After splashing some water on my face, I walked back into the waiting room.

Jace and Tanner had left an hour ago. Which made it easier for me to approach Vega. Now, sitting beside her on the opposite side, I felt relieved knowing that she wasn't the one I had dreamed about last night. Vega, an incredible woman, made it easier for me to be around her now. I eagerly awaited Lyra to wake up so that I could meet her. During the hour we spent together, Vega and I engaged in delightful conversation, bringing laughter and lifting each other's spirits.

It is now seven in the evening. There had been no word from the doctor. The Rileys had gone to their house to grab some essentials so that they could stay in an On-call room to stay close to Lyra, so it had just been Vega and me for the last hour.

We talked for a while longer until the Rileys and Tanner arrived, and it was about that time three doctors walked into the room.