Dennis Lane brandished the stick in his hand, his voice rising in warning. “Come any closer and I'll hit you."

Emily Blair just laughed coldly. "Go ahead. I'll call the cops and have you locked up."

Dennis's face fell. "You can't! I'm just a kid. You can't do this to me!"

Emily's voice was icy as she replied, "So what if you're a kid? The police arrest kids too."

Dennis, furious now, gripped the stick and charged at her. "If you call the police, I'll hit you!"

Emily barely spared him a glance. With one smooth motion, she caught his arm, wrenched the stick from his grip, and tossed it aside.

Dennis's expression shifted. "You—"

Emily took a step toward him, but before she could say another word, a deafening blast of a car horn shattered the air behind her, blaring over and over.

Her heart leapt into her throat as she spun around. Not five yards away, right in the middle of the street, a small figure was crouched down, reaching for a card on the asphalt.

Even from this distance, Emily recognized her instantly.

Ashley Gomez.

Behind Ashley, a black sedan was hurtling straight toward her, horn blaring but not slowing down, the front bumper aimed directly at the little girl.

Emily could already imagine the impact.

Her pupils constricted, and in a flash, memories from her past life-chaotic, bloody, excruciating—rushed over her like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her.

She couldn't move. Her heart seemed to stop beating altogether.

Her Daisy, her precious child, had also died in a car accident.

Just as small. Just as helpless.

Somewhere, Benjamin Gomez's voice screamed, frantic: "Sweetheart, get out of the way!"

Before Emily's mind could catch up, her body was already moving. She sprinted toward Ashley, the wind howling in her ears, every muscle suddenly alive and electric.

The car was almost on them now, the horn splitting the air, coming closer and closer.

Emily didn't think; her instincts took over. She reached out and scooped Ashley into her arms.

The car was right there.

The world seemed to fall away, the shouts of bystanders muffled as if behind a thick wall.

Emily squeezed her eyes shut, clutching Ashley to her chest, bracing her feet against the ground, and launched herself forward with all her strength.

The car's front end filled her vision.

Bang!

Emily's blood roared in her veins. Her heart hammered, her breath came in ragged gasps, her mind went blank.

She tumbled onto the grassy median in the middle of the street, landing hard on her back, Ashley pressed safely against her.

The car roared past, missing their feet by inches.

Emily stared up at the sky, dazed.

So close. They had been just a hair's breadth from being hit.

So, so close.

Only when her brain finally registered that they were safe did she let herself relax. She lay there, head against the grass, arms limp at her sides, still cradling Ashley.

Her whole body had been taut as a bowstring-now, every muscle felt drained and weak.

Ashley buried her face in Emily's chest, tiny arms wrapped tight around her waist.

After a moment, Ashley's muffled sobs broke the silence.

Emily spoke softly, "It's okay. You're alright now. Don't cry."

The sound of hurried footsteps approached. Emily glanced up, her movements stiff.

Benjamin Gomez's face was ashen, lips pale. He rushed over and gently took Ashley from Emily's arms, hugging his daughter fiercely. His voice trembled as he asked, "Sweetheart, are you hurt? Does anything hurt?"

Ashley clung to his neck and burst into tears. “Daddy, I was so scared."

People crowded around, helping Emily to her feet, their hands gentle but urgent.