Another day. I stand at the corner of Elm Street. It’s a bright sunny Sunday morning; not many around. I look at my shadow stretching across the street. "Strange! Longer than usual..." I thought. The sun is climbing swiftly. Soon it’s going to be right overhead. It’s going to be a lovely day.

The Chevy comes out of nowhere. The bright red truck is swinging wildly and out of control. I see wide eyed as the driver is trying to make the turn, but in vain. A split second later, I realize that the truck is on a collision course; with me! I have no time to think. I stand in shock, rooted in my place, unable to move. My life flashes before me, in all its abundance, in all its impotence. I have nowhere to go. The car is too fast and too close. The driver swerves but its too late. It hits me with alarming impact. I feel my legs go weak. 

I look at the vehicle. It’s a total wreck. The front is smashed beyond recognition. I see two bodies pressed against safety bags. I see another on the back seat, hunched rather awkwardly. I am unable to think clearly. I am too stunned. A little while later, a cop passes by and raises the alarm. More cops arrive. So does the ambulance, and the tow truck. They try to pry the doors open. After a couple of minutes, they break in through the window and pull the injured out. They hook the truck to the car to pull it off my legs. I scream for them to slow down. Nobody's listening. They wrench it out. I scream again, longer. They start inspecting the damage. Deciding that it was totalled, beyond salvage, they signal the tow truck to drag dump to the scrapyard. The truck tows the metal away. The medic sits the three down beside me and inspects their injuries. The two in the front seats just seem stunned. The one in the back however, seems to bear greater injuries. He lies at my foot, in pain. They swiftly lay him on the stretcher and drive him away while the other two pile up into the cop's car to be taken to the police station for inquiry.

I look at all of them, dumbfounded. None of them can hear me. A medic reaches for my leg, but backs off. Maybe he realizes it’s too late. It feels like the afterlife, just like in the movies. The guy doesn't realise he's dead. He tries to make conversation. Nobody hears him. Nobody hears me. I am left to my fate at the corner of Elm Street. The heat from the crash is searing through my feet. I can smell the stench of burning skin. The pain is making its way higher up my legs to my waist. I can hardly feel my legs anymore. It’s mind-numbing and rising with a sense of finality. I start choking and breathe harder. Not much use though. I can hardly take in any air. The sun is at its best, just like I wanted. I wouldn't be around long enough to enjoy it though. I can feel the sunlight seeping in through my skin. It makes me feel good. The pain eases a little bit. I continue to choke, on my own fluids. It’s getting harder and harder to stay awake. I lose focus of night and day. I breathe harder and faster. I realize that with every passing moment, I am one step closer to the edge.

The pain continues to fade away. So do I. I have lost track of time. I look up briefly. It’s getting dark. Night is approaching. I haven't had enough air to breathe. Without the oxygen, it’s all a blur. But fate hands me a momento. A sparrow perches on my shoulder and looks down at me. I can only make out its silhouette in the darkness. It is looking down at me, I figure, rather curiously. An ant has made its way up my shoulder. In one swift motion, the sparrow makes for the ant and grabs the poor thing in its beak. It gives me a peck, as if to thank me for the food.

It’s dark. The stars are up in the clear black sky. I am happier than ever before. There is no pain anymore; only the stillness of the night. I am satisfied that I shall be let go. Freedom. Without warning, my legs give way. I bend over toward the fence. I try to stop my descent but I have lost all control. I continue to fall. I crash, taking the fence down with me, facing the brightly lit sky. Time stands still. I have taken the plunge; over the edge.

I am Neem.