Rain fell, beneath the glow of streetlights.
Another late shift. Another ignored message from his landlord. Another day of watching people his age surge ahead while he stayed stuck in place.
I wasn't special.
No miracle breakthrough waiting around the corner.
Just effort.
Steady. Repetitive. Invisible effort.
I stepped off the curb.
That's when I heard it.
A scream.
Small. Panicked.
A child stood frozen in the middle of the road, eyes wide, backpack half slipping from her shoulders.
Headlights exploded around the corner.
The car was too fast.
No time.
I didn't think.
I moved.
My body reacted before fear could form, grabbing the child and shoving her forward.
For a split second, I felt Calm.
Not heroic. Not dramatic.
Just… steady calmness.
Like this was another repetition.
Another step forward.
Then impact.
Metal screamed. Glass shattered.
The world spun sideways.
He didn't feel pain immediately.
Just cold rain mixing with something warmer.
His last thought wasn't regret.
It wasn't anger.
It was simple.
I didn't waste my life.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And somewhere beyond time and space.
Something noticed him.