i stood by the metal carcass, my breath eerily causing no condensation in the cold air. the road was slick with ice and illuminated only by the moon overhead; no lights were visible in any direction. it seemed miraculous that i had survived the accident. i wrapped my arms about me, more from habit than anything else, as small snowflakes danced around me in a cool night breeze. several minutes had passed when i slumped upon the wet ground. no thoughts came to mind as i sat there, waiting. after what seemed only a short time, i noticed headlights approaching in the distance. shortly, a small truck roared into view and shuddered to a halt across the street. i stood up, peering intently into the darkness, at last making out the silhouette of an individual exiting the vehicle. it stopped short, looking at the wreckage, but saying nothing, then turned and reached for something within the darkness from which it had come. suddenly, like an explosion before my eyes, a great light burst forth, and it took me a few moments to realize that the individual had switched on a flashlight and was slowly walking towards me. within a few steps it was opposite me on the other side of the smashed car. it bent down to shine the light through a shattered window. at that instant i saw the interior become illuminated, i let out a shrill cry and stepped back into the earth. the man looked up abruptly, as if the sudden wind had called his name, then resumed his investigation of the accident.