Driving his beloved Pontiac Firebird along the East Coast's interstate highway, Jack took two days to cover the less-than-500-kilometer journey from New York to Virginia Beach. It wasn't because of any romantic encounters along the way but due to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge being closed because of weather conditions. This forced him to spend an extra day on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, just shy of 7 kilometers in length, combines tunnels and bridges, spanning the bay to connect Norfolk and the Delmarva Peninsula. As part of Interstate 13, the bridge sees heavy traffic but is also infamous as one of the world's most terrifying bridges. Its sheer length is intimidating, and its road deck rises 56 meters above sea level to allow ships to pass.
Rumors say the bridge makes even seasoned drivers weak-kneed, and a driver-assist service has even sprung up to cater to those afraid to cross. However, when Jack finally drove onto the bridge, he was disappointed to find sturdy concrete barriers on both sides, completely dispelling the thrill described in the legends.
---
Virginia Beach isn't the name of a specific beach but rather Virginia's most famous tourist city. Its long, gentle coastline boasts three distinct beaches: the Resort Area Beach, Chesapeake Beach, and Sandbridge Beach.
Having lived in Los Angeles with its plentiful beaches for years, Jack wasn't particularly interested in sightseeing or beachside hotels. While waiting at a traffic light, he pulled out his phone to find a hotel near the base for the night so he could check in early the next morning.
Just as he was searching, the sharp screech of tires erupted behind him. A black Nissan pickup truck narrowly missed his Firebird, crashing headlong into a red Toyota Camry passing through the intersection.
The Camry wasn't moving fast, but the impact hit the driver's side squarely. The car's front end twisted, and the entire vehicle spun in place from the force of the collision.
Seeing this, Jack immediately swiped his screen to the dialer and called 911.
After hanging up, he got out of his car, not rushing to the scene directly. Instead, he opened the Firebird's trunk, retrieved an emergency medical kit, and then ran toward the crash.
The Nissan's front end was completely destroyed and billowing black smoke. The driver, a young Black man with tattooed arms, was bleeding from the nose, his face smashed by the airbag. As he opened the door, the overwhelming stench of marijuana mixed with alcohol filled the air.
Jack dragged the idiot out of the driver's seat, flipping him over and cuffing him to the car door. The handbrake was still engaged—this guy had been intoxicated the entire time.
"We need help here! This woman is trapped!" A Good Samaritan by the red Camry shouted urgently.
Grabbing his medical kit, Jack rushed to the Camry. The driver's side door was mangled beyond recognition. Inside, a bloodied woman in her late thirties or early forties was slumped unconscious in the seat.
"Step back. Let me try."
Jack wedged his right hand into the door's gap while gripping the car window frame with his left. With both arms exerting force, his muscles bulged as a grating metallic screech filled the air.
Sometimes brute force works wonders. Under the astonished gazes of onlookers, Jack managed to tear the dented door completely off.
"The hinges were already broken," Jack casually explained, unconcerned whether they believed him.
The Camry driver was in bad shape. The entire left side of her body, from her shoulder to her thigh, was a mess of blood and torn flesh. The car hadn't absorbed the full force of the collision during the impact.
It was hard to tell if this elegant-looking woman was unlucky or lucky. Unlucky because she had been hit by a drunk and high driver squarely on the driver's side. Lucky because the accident happened right in front of Jack, who not only saved her life but also ensured she wouldn't suffer any severe long-term injuries.
Carefully lifting her out of the car, Jack assessed her injuries. While the fractures and external wounds still looked alarming, the internal damage had been stabilized. As he placed her gently on the ground, the woman began regaining consciousness.
"Hey, hey, look at me. What's your name? Can you tell me your name?" Jack lightly patted her face.
"Alana… Alana Hayes. Am... am I going to die?" she asked, her voice trembling with pain, her body shaking uncontrollably.
"You're not going to die. It's just some fractures. I've already checked you over. I'm an FBI agent trained in first aid. Trust me, you'll be fine," Jack reassured her.
"Call... call my husband. He's at home. My phone... in my bag," she gasped weakly.
"Okay, don't worry. You'll be fine. I'll call him for you." Handing her over to a bystander for care, Jack reached into the car, finding her small bag beneath the passenger seat.
The phone's screen was cracked but functional. Using her fingerprint, Jack unlocked it and quickly found a contact labeled "honey" in the call log. He hit redial.
"Hey, sweetheart, why are there so many remotes for the TV at home? Shouldn't there just be one for each device? I can't figure out these new gadgets. When are you coming back? I'm waiting for that beer you promised," a familiar voice rambled on the other end.
The voice was unmistakable—Bones' Booth and SEAL Team's Jason Hayes shared the same iconic tone, thanks to the actor behind them. Could it really be that coincidental?
The injured woman was named Alana Hayes, and the SEAL Team leader's name was Jason Hayes. Was this…
"Jason? Is that you?" Jack blurted out instinctively.
"It's me. Who's this? And why are you using my wife's phone?" Jason Hayes' tone shot up an octave, alarmed at the sound of an unfamiliar man on Alana's phone.
However, Jason quickly recognized Jack's voice. They had spoken on the phone just two days ago about the upcoming mission, making this all the more baffling.
"Jack? Is that you? What the hell is going on?"
"It's Jack. Listen to me. I just arrived in Virginia Beach and witnessed a car accident downtown. A woman named Alana Hayes is injured. I'm calling her family, and it turns out to be you. So, she's your wife?"
Though Jack had already guessed the connection, he recounted the events succinctly to confirm the situation.
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]