You were in Barry’s car, music loud, the taste of beer still on his lips. You sat in the passenger seat, fingers laced with his as the night blurred past the windows. Helen and Julie sat in the back, arguing playfully over the radio station, while Ray, quieter now, drove with a steady hand. Then it happened.

A shadow. A sudden thump. The sickening crack of impact.

The car skidded to a halt, the sound of screeching tires cutting through the summer night. Everyone’s laughter died.

“What the hell was that?” Barry shouted, sobering instantly.

Ray’s hands shook on the wheel. “I—I don’t know. It just came out of nowhere—”

You stumbled out of the car together, the salty air suddenly sharp and cold. There, lying twisted on the road, was a man.

Your breath caught in your throat. You hand flew to your mouth as your stomach lurched. “Oh my God… oh my God, Ray… Barry… what did we—”

“No.” Barry’s voice was hard, loud. “We don’t panic. We don’t lose it. He came out of nowhere, it’s not our fault.”

But his hands were shaking as he gripped Gracie’s shoulders, trying to anchor himself as much as her.

Julie was already crying. “We have to call the police—”

Barry whipped around. “No! You know what happens if we do? Ray’s done. His future’s over. All of ours. Yale, New York, all of it gone. You want to trade it all for this?”

Ray finally broke the silence, his voice rough. “He just came out of nowhere—I didn’t see him. I swear I didn’t.”

“Shut up, Ray,” Barry snapped, though his voice trembled. “It doesn’t matter how it happened. What matters is what we do now.”

You turned, pressing your face into Barry’s shoulder, shaking her head like if you refused to look, it wouldn’t be true.

Barry stroked your arm in a way that was both desperate and protective. “It’s okay, babe. It’s okay. We’ll figure this out.” But his voice cracked, betraying the fact that nothing was okay.

Your voice was barely above a whisper. “What if someone saw?”

“No one saw,” Barry said instantly, too quickly. “It’s late. It’s dark. We’ll take care of it, and no one will ever know.”

Ray looked sick. “Take care of it? You mean—” “We move him,” Barry said firmly. “We take him down to the docks, toss him in. The tide will do the rest.”

At the dock, the group stood in tense silence as Ray and Barry prepared to roll the man into the water.

“On three,” Barry muttered. His voice sounded hollow, like it belonged to someone else.

“One… two…” Before they could say three, the man’s eyes snapped open. His chest heaved, a guttural gasp ripping from his throat.

You screamed, stumbling backward, clutching Barry’s arm. Helen shrieked. Julie froze in horror. “Holy shit!” Ray’s voice cracked. “He’s alive!”

The man grabbed at Barry, his fingers clawing desperately. Panic overtook them all. Barry shoved hard, prying the man’s grip loose. Without hesitation, he and Ray rolled him off the edge. The body hit the water with a splash, then disappeared beneath the dark waves.

Your stomach turned. Your knees buckled, and you surely would have fallen if Barry hadn’t caught you. “It’s done,” Barry said hoarsely, his face pale. “It’s done.”