A sharp beam of light came through the windshield, and then perpetual darkness overcame. A ferocious vibration shook the entire car, tossed into the dense forest as if it were a twig. Hanna remembered hearing sirens. She remembered being lifted onto a stretcher. She remembered the sound the 1998 Ford Escort made when it was being crunched like aluminum foil. She just couldn’t remember seeing anything.

Days later, Hanna lay in the hospital. Pushing herself upright, she strained to see in the overwhelming darkness. Noticing this effort, a nurse passing by in the hallway entered the room.

“Is there anything I can do for you?â€?

Startled, Hanna twitched, then grimaced in pain. “Yes, would you please turn the lights on? I can’t see a thing.â€?

“Hun, the lights already are on. Did no one tell you?â€?

“That accident.. it blinded you. You were lucky. Your sister is in the room next to you. She’s in a coma, but stable. Your friend is in intensive care. The driver of the other car died just a few hours ago.