Chapter 3: The Accident

The sun was setting over the bustling streets of the city, casting a warm orange glow over the crowded sidewalks. Kaito, a 15-year-old boy with a mop of messy black hair, walked home from school, his eyes fixed on the pavement. He was lost in thought, replaying a conversation with his friends earlier that day. As he turned the corner onto his street, he noticed his school's field trip was in full swing. A group of students, including his siblings, were gathered near the entrance of the school. Kaito's heart sank as he realized he was supposed to meet his brother, Kenji, after the trip. Kenji had promised to pick him up, but now it seemed he had forgotten. Kaito tried calling Kenji, but his phone went straight to voicemail. He sighed and began to walk home, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. The streets were busy, and the sounds of cars and chatter filled the air. As he walked, the distance between his school and home seemed to grow. The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the sidewalks. Kaito quickened his pace, his anxiety growing with each step. Suddenly, a car screeched to a halt just inches from Kaito. He leapt back, his heart racing, as the driver yelled out the window. Kaito's eyes widened as he realized he had almost been hit. Shaken, Kaito stumbled backward, his eyes fixed on the car as it sped away. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. As he looked up, he saw a truck turning onto the street, its headlights illuminating the darkening sky. The truck's driver, distracted by his phone, didn't notice Kaito standing in the middle of the road. The truck's tires screeched as the driver tried to stop, but it was too late. Kaito was hit, his body flying through the air as he landed with a sickening thud on the pavement. The world went dark, and Kaito's vision began to blur. He tried to cry out, but his voice was hoarse and barely audible. As he lay there, he saw his family rushing towards him, their faces etched with worry and fear. The last thing Kaito remembered was the sound of his family's voices, calling out his name, and the feeling of being lifted into the air. Everything went black. In the distance, Kaito's family was frantically searching for him. They had been looking for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. As the minutes ticked by, their worry turned to panic. They had to find Kaito, and fast. But as they rushed to his side, they were met with a sight that made their blood run cold. Kaito lay motionless on the ground, his body battered and bruised. His family was consumed by fear and guilt, knowing that they had forgotten him, and now he might be slipping away. The sound of sirens echoed through the air as the paramedics rushed to the scene. Kaito's family was left standing, frozen in horror, as they waited for news that would change their lives forever. The darkness closed in around Kaito, and his family was left to wonder if they would ever see him again. The accident had changed everything, and Kaito's family was about to face a reality they never thought they'd have to confront. As the paramedics worked to save Kaito's life, his family was left to grapple with the guilt and regret that had been building for so long. They had taken him for granted, and now they might lose him forever. The thought was unbearable, and they could only hope that Kaito would forgive them, and that they could make things right.