That night, dusk fell rapidly, clouds gathered across the sky accompanied by rumbling thunder. Lightening zipped through the sky, lighting the world for a split second. The wind blew fiercely, floating anything that could not stay down.
On the ground, a dark blue Toyota Corolla was speeding on the highway. The traffic was a bit light and the threatening rain urged the car into an even higher speed.
Inside the car, the driver, Adaugo had her full concentration on the road. Her eyes were squeezed as they peered through the windscreen. Despite the almost empty highway, she was still cautious.
She cast a glance at her rearview mirror, angled so she could see her sleeping child, George. He was only a year old, snug in the comfort of the baby carrier.
"Don't worry, honey." She muttered, returning her eyes to the road. "We're almost there."
There were on their way to her mother's place for the weekend. If not for her work, they would have left earlier. Instead, she had to race through the dark highway trying to avoid the impending rain.
It began suddenly, the rain. And it was bold and ferocious, coming with strong winds, thunder, and lightning. In minutes, Adaugo's windscreen became so blurred she had to slow down a bit.
She activated the wiper and with one hand wiped the mist off the inside of the windscreen. This cleared her view up as she kept driving. The headlights cut through the darkness, guiding her path. Until they suddenly fell on a deer, standing smack in the middle of the road.
Her reaction was instant and purely out of reflex. Her foot stomped hard on the brakes just as she swerved the wheel to the right. The road was too wet, the tires couldn't gain traction. So the car slid across the asphalt, turning once before slamming into the barricade with enough force to tip the car over and onto its back. As it fell, glass shattered, metal twisted and the petrol valve ruptured.
Adaugo blacked out.
She was out for only a few seconds when George's persistent crying pulled her out of unconsciousness. Groggy and disoriented, she wondered where she was.
Then she realized she was stuck in an upside-down vehicle, same as her child in the backseat. And she could smell the strong odor of petrol.
"George!" She cried out in abject fear as she fought with the seatbelt. She unhooked it and as it released her, she fell hard.
"Ahh..." She gasped, shutting her eyes to dull the pain. On all fours, she crawled out of the wrecked car, the cries of her baby filling up her head. She didn't even feel the shards of glass cutting into her palms. "I'm coming, George!"
Outside, the rain was still pouring relentlessly, blinding her momentarily. She wiped the water from her eyes as she stumbled around the upturned car to the side where she had strapped George in.
"George!" She called, kneeling so she could see him. His fair-complexioned face was red from his intense crying. She too was crying, but she didn't even notice. "I'll get you out, okay?"
She pulled the door, it didn't budge. A part of it had caved in, placing most of the weight on the opening mechanism, jamming the door. She pulled again, with no result.
For a second, the wind died down, and the pungent smell of petrol wafted across her nostrils once more. She became desperate.
Then, taking a deep breath, she pulled her fist back and slammed it into the lower part of the window.
She screamed as her fingers protested in pain. The windows, however, remained solid. She tried her elbow next and it smashed through the window.
"George, I'm here." She sobbed as she reached through and undid the straps holding the carrier to the seat of the car. As she unhooked the last one, the carrier fell. But the foam in the carrier kept George safe. But he kept crying.
"Okay, come on." She cooed as she tried to pull out the carrier. It could not fit through the window.
She then undid the straps holding George to the carrier. But when she tried to pull him out the window, the carrier blocked the way.
"Oh come on!" She screamed in anger and frustration, wiping blood and water from her face.
And just as suddenly as it had started, the rain stopped. But the other elements were still on. Thunder rumbled across the sky and lightning brightened up the highway. And the wind kept buffeting her from all sides.
She got on her knees once more and tried to pull him out, still no way. She had to get the carrier out of the way.
The smell of the petrol was now as strong as ever, despite the wind. And somewhere in the bonnet, two naked wires were dangling in the wind. All they had to do was touch and they would spark off. The car was a ticking bomb.
Feeling her heart pound in fear, Adaugo looked into the car once more. She then realized that if she could lift the car a little bit, the door would be able to open.
"Oh my God." She gasped at the realization. She got to her feet, looking around for help. She was the only one on the empty road.
At the bonnet, a yellow flame popped up, dancing wildly in the wind. But it didn't go off.
"No! No!!" She screamed as she threw herself against the car, grabbed a good hold, and tried to lift it.
Of course, it didn't budge.
The fire spread rapidly, getting strength from the wind and riding on fuel. Once it got to the fuel tank, it would explode. George must be out before that happened.
"Come on!" She cried out, using her entire weight to counter as she pushed against the car. "Come on! Please!"
The car stayed stubbornly on the ground. The flames guttering wickedly in the wind.
Adaugo took a deep breath, planted her soaked sneakers into the ground. She used her entire upper body this time. Pressing it against the car as she grabbed hold with her hands. She pulled.
Her teeth ground hard against each other as she called on all her strength, screaming out her lungs as she finally felt the car begin to give.
It was slow and tortuous, but she kept pulling until it was just a bit over an inch. Then she shifted the weight to the left part of her body. From her left hand down to her left leg, she propped her weight against the car, holding it up. And with her right hand, she took hold of the door handle and pulled.
The door swung open and she used her free leg to open it all the way. She released the car then, letting it fall back with a dull thud. She had only lifted it to a little above an inch, but that had been enough.
She reached through the open door just as the fire spread all over the car. And taking the carrier, she pulled George out. Holding him close to her chest, she ran off just as the Toyota exploded.
The force of it shook the ground, the blast brought her down to her knees as the charred metal fell all around them.
She was breathing hard and fast, but George was no longer crying. He could tell the danger was over.
As she tried to get back to her feet, an SUV pulled up, stopping well away from the burning wreck. A couple ran out towards her.
"Oh my God!" The man gasped, "are you hurt?"
Adaugo couldn't reply, holding on tight to her baby as she got to her feet. Her vision began to swim.
"Honey, please open the door. We need to get them to the hospital." The man said. He didn't try to take the baby from her, she would have fought him off. But she went meekly as he guided her towards and into the vehicle, putting her in the backseat.
"You'll be fine now." He promised as he turned the ignition and started the car. He did a reverse and began to drive back into town.
George was asleep once more. He was sitting astride her laps and his head was on her chest. She felt the vibrations of the SUV comfort her.
And she let the darkness overtake her.
She and the baby were safe.
The End.
So, I was talking to a friend some days back, and we talked about mothers. And the stories of how some, in a desperate attempt to save their babies could lift cars or jump from burning buildings. I've not been able to confirm these stories, but I've not been able to cancel them out either.
Either way, it was an inspiration to this story. I hope I didn't overdo it. And I'm dedicating it to all mothers who would do any and everything to give their children their best. You are nature's best gift to man馃榿
Thank You for reading.
Feel free to contact me via my Discord handle below:
bruno-kema#1355
