The sun was shining brightly as my mom and I stepped out of the store, our arms laden with groceries. I squinted against the glare, feeling the warmth seep into my bones. It was a rare moment of peace in an otherwise chaotic world.
As we made our way to the car, I glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the busy street. People hurried by, lost in their own worlds, oblivious to the drama unfolding around them. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that made my heart stop.
A little girl, no more than six or seven years old, stood in the middle of the road, her eyes wide with fear. And barreling down the street toward her was a massive truck, its engine roaring as it sped toward us at an alarming speed.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I registered what was happening. The old man's words echoed in my mind, and I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins. Was this what he had been talking about? Was this my chance to prove myself, to be more than just a misfit?
Without thinking, I dropped the groceries and sprinted toward the girl. My mom yelled after me, her voice filled with panic, but I didn't stop. I reached the girl just as the truck bore down on us, its horn blaring deafeningly in my ears.
"Move!" I shouted, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of harm's way. But as I did, I realized with horror that the truck wasn't slowing down. There was no time to get out of the way.
Instinct took over. With a strength I didn't know I had, I shoved the girl to safety, pushing her out of the path of the oncoming truck.
And then, time seemed to freeze. I saw the truck hurtling toward me, its headlights blinding in the afternoon sun. My heart pounded in my chest as I braced for impact.
"Shi-"
The word hung in the air, unfinished, as the world around me dissolved into chaos.