Jake loved speed. He loved the roar of his motorcycle, the wind against his face, and the thrill of racing down the open road. Every chance he got, he pushed the limits, weaving through traffic and ignoring the worried voices of his family and friends.
One evening, as the sun was setting, Jake decided to take one last ride before heading home. The road was empty, the sky was golden, and everything felt perfect. He twisted the throttle and felt the power beneath him. The speedometer climbed higher and higher. But then, in an instant, everything changed.
A car pulled out of a side street, and Jake had no time to react. The crash was brutal. His body hit the ground, and pain shot through him like fire. The world around him blurred, and soon, everything went dark.
When he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed. His head was pounding, his legs were wrapped in bandages, and his body felt like it had been crushed. The beeping of machines filled the room, and the scent of medicine was everywhere.
His mother sat beside him, her eyes filled with tears. "Jake, why? Why do you risk your life like this?" she asked, her voice breaking.
His father stood near the window, shaking his head. "You could have died, son. Do you even realize that?"
His best friend, Mark, leaned over the bed. "Man, you scared all of us. What were you thinking? Speeding like that, acting like nothing could happen to you?"
Jake couldn’t find the words to answer. He had always thought he was in control, that he knew what he was doing. But lying there, weak and broken, he realized how wrong he had been.
His mother took his hand. "We love you, Jake. But we can’t keep watching you destroy yourself like this."
Tears welled up in Jake’s eyes. He had been reckless, selfish even. He had risked everything, not just his own life, but also the hearts of the people who cared about him.
"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice weak. "I won’t do it again."
His mother squeezed his hand. His father sighed in relief. Mark gave him a nod.
For the first time in his life, Jake truly understood that speed wasn’t worth it.