Accident Read online

  She clears her throat.

  “Ma, ma, I want to go hommmmmmmmmmme to my ma aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…This bloomin’ country’s a fraud and I want to go home to my ma ah ah ah ah ah!”

  Satisfied, she straightens her jacket again. Removes a small mirror from her pocket and checks out her face. Nude lips, her metallic eye shadow makes her brown eyes pop.

  “Do I look dramatic or dull with this charcoal?” she smiles at the camera man.

  “Never dull, Miss Parker. You look mysterious and sexy, if I may say so.” He wants to smile, but rather starts fiddling with the camera lens.

  She looks in the mirror again.

  “Mysterious and sexy. Not sure if that’s what I want. More mysterious and glamorous.” She looks at her white teeth.

  “Sexy isn’t bad either.” She puts the mirror away.

  “That fool will be sorry he dropped me for that…” She doesn’t finish.

  “This story might just be my ticket out of the field and into everyone’s living room. I hope you don’t mess up with the camera.”

  “Everything’s in order, Miss Parker. Don’t you fret.”

  She fiddles with her earpiece again and slowly starts pacing.

  “Woo, Whoa, War, Wow. Woo, Whoa, War, Wow.”

  *

  The bus driver takes a bite of his juicy double quarter pounder.

  He looks in the rear-view mirror.

  Some of the children were running to and fro.

  He decides to let them be. They’re only kids. It was an exciting day at the dams. They all got to see the gates open. All were chatting about the water gushing past them. The Douglas kid was almost taken along. That one always gets into trouble.

  He takes another bite of his burger.

  The road ahead was clear. They were nearing the bus stop. Most of the children would get off there. Then further towards town to drop off the Masons and then home to his wife.

  He swallows the last of his burger and gulps-gulps-gulps it all down with diet soda. He burps loudly and wipes his hand with his shirt.

  *

  “Are you sure you’re okay walking.” Ben stares at Kimberly.

  “Ben, I’m sure. I enjoy walking and you’re always great company.” She smiles.

  He smiles too.

  “Not far to go now. At least we still have some sunlight left. Don’t think there’s any light at the farm.”

  “I’ve got night vision, didn’t I mention that. A few of my hidden talents.” She stares at him and then the surroundings with slit eyes.

  “Mom always said that she thinks I can see through walls.” She laughs.

  He looks at her and shakes his head in agreement.

  “I believe you.” He tries to maintain eye contact, but as soon as she starts her penetrating thing, he looks away.

  “Anyway, I did remember to bring a flashlight in case we need it. You really are a star for doing this. I promise it will all be worthwhile.”

  He smiles awkwardly, runs his fingers through his spikes and settles his gaze on the fast approaching picket fence.

  Kimberly starts to skip and whistles softly to her herself.

  *

  It’s Monday, the 21st of June, I’m … this is CNN Live from London. Breaking news…

  Five dead and dozens more injured, including school children, as bus collides with a Ford Mustang, Fiat 500 and a family van in Bakersfield near the Golden State highway.

  We get more now from CNN Jill Parker.

  “We’re live in five four…” the camera man goes quiet and continues the countdown with his fingers. The red light on the camera flashes on.

  “Jill Parker reporting on the scene. Several dead and dozens others injured as bus crashes into a tree… ducks started quaking… the rain… more than ten rocks… she jumped up the pond… the road collapsed… two more fell off the sky…”

  The camera man stares at her.

  What was she on about?

  “The driver ran into… then birds flew… more wreckage up the pond… the kids sang songs… there was an… it was fireworks… more than ten… yes, that was the end of it.

  Jill Parker for CNN, Bakersfield. Back to you…”

  There you have it. More details to follow later. At this point we were able to confirm that the driver of the Ford Mustang is Ben Miller. He and his female companion, whose identity is still to be confirmed was out joy riding. Drugs and large amounts of alcohol were found in the wreckage. A married couple, two young women including the driver of the bus are dead. Several school children were injured. More on that story as it unfolds.

  In other news…

  The camera man stares at Jill.

  “Are you okay, Miss Parker.” He seems worried.

  “Of course. That was great wasn’t it?” She removes her earpiece and removes the microphone from her grey jacket.

  “Make sure to get more footage and I advise we take more pictures.” She puts her hand to her temple.

  “I suddenly have this splitting headache.” She goes to the news van and disappears for several minutes.

  The camera man stares at the bus. No driver, no children. No other cars seem to be present. He walks closer to the bus.

  Falls to the ground as it explodes right in front of him.

  *

  Fox news

  How about this… five dead and several others injured as Ford Mustang crashes into a school bus in Bakersfield near the Golden state highway. Two other vehicles were involved in the crash both drivers and passengers dead, including the bus driver.

  23 year old Ben Miller and his female companion confirmed to be Kimberley Amber-Jane were rushed to hospital and are in critical condition.

  The driver of the family van is confirmed to be the father of Ben Miller and his wife of twenty years.

  No other details available at this point, but police have confirmed that large amounts of drugs and alcohol were found in the wreckage. More on that story as it develops.

  *

  “Claire! Claire! You got to see this.”

  She rushes to the kitchen to get to Claire.

  “Kimmy and Ben… They’ve been in an accident. Several people dead and hundreds others injured. Bus and ten other cars. You’ve got to come and see. It’s on the news!”