Here we were, young and in love, walking hand in hand to Charles' car after the ball was over. It was a cold December night but, despite the temperature, it was absolutely beautiful outside. A delicate layer of snow from the previous night covered the ground, Christmas decorations were everywhere, and lights twinkled and twinkled in the dark of the night. "Let's go for a ride!" Charles said smiling brightly. “Oh, I guess,” I replied with a smile. And so that's what we did, we drove. With childlike wonder we looked at the lights, watched people stroll along the sidewalk, and enjoyed each other's company. "Charles, do you know what I've never realized before?" "What is it?" he asked. “I never realized how, how beautiful this time of year was, especially at night. How the snow covers the trees, the way the lights hit the snow, the way it shines, everything. It's all so perfect. in our surroundings, and before we knew it and not an hour had passed since we left the ball. “Well, we better get home,” Charles said with a sigh. it happened quickly. Even though I still can't remember it all, there are parts I will never forget. I remember being pulled out of the car, screaming Charles' name over and over. I remember looking at the flames, confused and disoriented. Before I knew it I woke up, lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by doctors and nurses. "Dr. Michaels, she's awake." “Okay, thanks for telling me,” a man I assumed was Dr. Michaels' response. “Ma'am, can you hear me?” “Yes,” I murmured. “Ma'am, do you have any memories of what happened tonight?” “I don't have much. We were driving and then, before I knew it, there were flames everywhere, and now here I am. By this time I had gotten out of the hospital bed and was walking around. “I really don't know how else to say this, but you and the driver of the car you were riding in tonight were in a car accident. “I will never forget the flood of emotions that came over me at that very moment.