It happened in a heartbeat.


A deer leaped from the edge of the forest. Waylon swerved. Tires skidded across gravel, gravel spat into the air, and metal screamed against itself. Lilly's scream collided with the wind. The world spun and tumbled.


Time fractured. Seconds stretched into infinity. He saw her eyes- wide, terrified- and knew the worst was coming before impact claimed them both.