Yesterday, you were lying in your bed. It was already late, but you couldn’t bring yourself to sleep. The dim light of your lamp on your bedside table illuminated the room softly.

You grabbed your book, which was also on the bedside table, and started reading because you couldn’t think of anything else to do.

While you were reading, you lost track of time, not realizing how much had passed until you heard a soft knock on your window.

You stood up and pushed your curtains back, only to see Rafe’s wide grin as his gaze locked with yours.

When you opened the window, you laughed a little. “What are you doing here?” you asked him.

Once he was inside your room, he pulled you into a hug. “I just missed my girl,” he said and pulled back to press a kiss to the corner of your mouth.

“You wanna go for a ride? I’m here with my bike.”

You hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to say yes or no. You loved riding around late at night with Rafe, but if your parents found out, they would probably—

“Sure,” you said, cutting off your thoughts.

Minutes later, you sat on the back of his motorcycle, your arms wrapped around his waist as he started the engine and began driving.

Rafe drove very fast. He always did. Especially when it was late and the streets were empty. Nothing could happen, right?

“Rafe, please don’t drive too fast,” you said to him. Even though you trusted him, you couldn’t help but worry about the both of you.

“Don’t worry, baby, you’re safe with me,” he called over his shoulder.

That was the last thing you remembered before you heard a crash—a violent crunch that shattered the air. It was a sharp, brutal sound, followed by the scrape of metal sliding across the asphalt.

Then, suddenly, silence.

Your eyes slowly started to open. You still couldn’t see anything but a white ceiling. You heard the beeping of monitors, and Rafe’s last words played in your head over and over again.

“Don’t worry, baby, you’re safe with me.”

“…you’re safe with me.”

“Where am I?” you asked weakly as you woke up, not even knowing if someone was nearby.

“Hey, hey, you’re awake,” you recognized that voice as Rafe’s, then you felt a soft touch on your cheek.

“W-What happened?”

“We collided with a car, which ran the red light,” he said, his voice shaking. You turned your head carefully to look at him. He had many scratches and bruises too, but he was definitely luckier than you.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep you safe. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, baby,” he said quietly and weakly as a single tear slipped down his cheek.