No-Fault

The screeching tires and crunching plastic and metal brought me to my feet. I glanced through the shop's glass windows and saw a man staggering in the middle of the road, the bright streetlights casting long shadows. Robert and I headed outside to see if the man needed help.

Once he saw us, he started yelling, his voice filled with irritation. "Did you see that? He just hit me and took off." He reached up, swiping at his face, his hand coming away with blood.

"Are you hurt?" I asked.

Robert leaned toward me and urgently whispered, "Call the police." The gravity of the situation hit me, and I fumbled for my phone.

"I can't see," the man grumbled.

"Did you hit your head?" I knew this could be serious, so I unlocked my phone.

The man shook his head. "No, food is in my eyes. I can't see."

I rolled my eyes, thankful the guy couldn't see my reaction. "Come inside the shop, and I'll get you some paper towels and call the police, " I said, heading back inside.

"Don't do that," he said, suddenly matching my steps for someone with impaired vision.

I stopped to turn around and saw Robert behind us, shaking his head.

"You don't want the paper towel?"

"I can't see!" he repeated, his voice growing in annoyance.

I returned to my desk, grabbed the promised paper towels, and handed them to the man. "Here. Let me call the police so they can make a report."

Robert entered, looking from me to the man. "Did you call?"

I shook my head. "I was just about to."

"Don't."

"It's a no-fault state," Robert said.

"Well, I don't have insurance. Not worth it." He turned and left.

"Yeah, eating while driving made it his fault, too."


WC: 300
Written for: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"   by Arakun the twisted raccoon