When a star fade

"What did you wish last night?" Angie whispered in Vince's ear as she stroked his hair.

"Uhm.." he answered without opening his eyes.

"What was it?" she coaxed, giggling while Vince stroked her back.

"It has been answered," he replied, Gently pulling Angie next to him.

A soft knock on their door made them jump on their bed. "Vince, Angie, are you up?" a female voice spoke behind the door.

"Yes," Angie answered, "Will be out in a jiffy."

"Too early for lovey-dovey, you two," Toby blurted out, both giggling behind the door.

Just like that their morning started. Angie pulled herself up but was pulled down by Vince, who was laughing at their sweet collision. They stayed there for a few minutes until their morning wake-up call. Vince and Angie went down a few minutes later to meet Tony and Ashely, who were already eating breakfast at the restaurant.

An hour later, they went upstairs, packed all their things, and checked out. It was fortunate that they were heading out on a Sunday where the streets are less packed.

The couples sat next to each other in the van. Tony couldn't help but smirk at Vince, who threw a towel at him. Angie bit her lip, and Ashley grimaced at the whole idea. The four of them sat in the van, bodies worn out but chest swelling with pride as they looked out at the billboard of the orphanage for the last time.

The group arrived at the airport an hour later, grabbed a light lunch, and headed out to check-in and the immigration. Everything went by smoothly.

It was a perfect day.

In the airplane, the two girls sat next to each other, snickering their hearts out until it took off. Their bodies spoke otherwise, as they both hit the sack 30 minutes after the flight attendants went through the safety protocol. Everyone felt their energy trickling away as the plane rose to the sky. Dog-tired, they hit the snooze as the plane flew from San Diego to Canada.

The captain spoke on the intercom waking everyone up. They arrived at Quebec International Airport at 1:00 am. It was December 30, 2019, and the weather was freezing at -10°C.

The pack pulled out their warmers from their backpack, stepping into the cold winter dawn. After claiming their baggage, the four of them stood at the entrance.

Ashley turned around, stared at Vince and Angie, who was busy fixing each other's clothes. "Look at you," she grinned. "You look lovely together."

"Couldn't agree more," Tony smirked.

"Thank you, Ang, for inviting us over," Ashley added, hugging the couple all fluffed up with their winter clothes.

"No, thank you. I'm happy you both came."

"We'll get going," Tony bumped and tapped Vince's shoulder, then held hands with Ashley pulling her away.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Ashley added to the new couple. "Will see you soon."

"Of course," Angie replied, squeezing Tony and whispered, "Drive safely."

"Our cab is here. Will call you soon," Vince grinned hugging his two friends. "Let's go," he called out at Angie.

Angie and Vince marched towards the taxi, waiting for them, waving at the couple who were walking away to the parking lot. Vince sat next to the driver while Angie sat behind the driver.

Everywhere, a blanket of snow covered the entire city. The road became slippery, even for the most careful lot. The streetlamps cast shadows on the pavement. Their yellow glow warms the cars that passed by. Not a lot of vehicles or pedestrians, only a few brave souls in sight, brazing the severe winter dawn.

Vroom. And then there are the madmen skidding off the road as if it's a race track.

Vince chuckled and shook his head at the sight of the speeding cars who seemed to feel like they were part of the Fast and Furious movie.

"They're a crazy bunch," the driver spoke. "Reason for most of the accidents in this country."

The cab was running at 40km per hour, lulling Angie to sleep. Angie yawned as she dozed off from the back seat, clutching her smartphone on her lap.

They drove in silence, stopping at the intersection with only a handful of vehicles. The green light turned on, and the cab driver carefully crossed the intersection.

Screech. Thug. Bang. The sound blasted in the air and took everyone by surprise. Cars spinning in all directions, skidding on the slippery highway.

Then there was silence. An eerie silence.

The road, once quiet and deserted, was a sight to behold. At the intersection, four cars collided, flying in all directions. Cars beeping, light flashing, shattered glass everywhere, and the stench of burnt rubber filled the air.

Onlookers gasping, frozen with terror, some people moaned. At the same time, others jumped on their feet to help victims on their feet as red-colored liquid oozed from the vehicles staining the snow-covered pavement.

"Ang... Ang.. wake up," a small soft voice whispered in the chaotic night, reaching out her tiny hands. "Come with me."

Angie rubbed her eyes and saw a girl, about 12 years old, smiling and flashing her white teeth. She rose up, took the girl's hand, feeling numb yet light at the same time.

"Don't look back, just straight ahead," the little girl added.

Angie looked at her calm face shining brightly in her blue sapphire dress with sparkling beads. Her brown curly hair bounced as she walked like she was flying.

"Where are we going?" Angie asked.

The little girl turned around, pulled her hands, pointing to something in the middle of the street. When Angie looked up, she saw a woman, with brown curly hair draped below her shoulder. She was wearing a light blue dress, with laces and trims, smiling brightly with her arms open wide, "Welcome home," she said.

She felt at peace.

Then, the sound of sirens filled the air snapping Angie out of her wits. Turning around, she saw several ambulances, police officers, and firetruck crumbling in the intersection. People were shouting, crying, gasping, and moaning as the rescue officers transferred one person after the other on a stretcher to the parked ambulance. Then, she saw a body wearing a winter parka she had seen earlier. He looked familiar.

Angie trembled in fear as she walked closer to the body lying on the stretcher. "Vince, Vince," she cried, running towards the chaos, "No…!" For that brief moment, which felt like an eternity, Angie passed out.

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