You always see or hear about scenes where someone makes a life-altering decision. Then, something good or bad happens based on what they decide. So when James decided to choose a stranger's life over his own,he was confused. Well, you can understand why he was confused. After he attempted to rescue someone, the next thing James knew, he stood in a dimly lit bar, the atmosphere thick with mystery and unspoken tales.
Seated beside him was an older man with a long, flowing white beard, his gaze penetrating as if searching for answers in James's soul. Next to the older man, an overwhelmingly muscular angel exuded an aura of power, contrasting the gentle chaos of the bar with an otherworldly presence. Well, before we get to that, let's back up.
James Winter was an ordinary man. He wasn't brilliant, but neither was he dumb; he was simply a lean figure standing tall, his brown hair falling casually over his forehead. His gentle blue eyes, flecked with a hint of green, sparkled with warmth and sincerity. James would describe his character when questioned about himself, saying, "I'm just a decent guy who loves cooking, fishing, and reading; I'd do anything for the people I care about."
On a picture-perfect Tuesday afternoon, James decided to visit his beloved park. After parking, he hopped out, grabbing his fishing hat, an old tackle box, and a fishing pole from the back seat. As he stepped out, he saw a family arriving just moments behind him. A small sigh escaped his lips as he forced a smile, trying to shake off a twinge of disappointment over a mixed bag of nuts he had saved to offer a chipmunk he'd befriended during previous visits.
Closing the car door, he glanced back one last time to spot a little girl Playing in the parking lot, her laughter ringing like a sweet melody. He chuckled softly, feeling a pang of nostalgia that made him acutely aware of his age—though only thirty, the innocence and joy of youth seemed a world away.
As he began to stroll toward the park, the peaceful ambiance abruptly shattered by the roar of an engine revving wildly. From his left, he heard the unmistakable sound of tires screeching as a green Mustang careened around the sharp curve. James ran towards an innocent little girl standing in the center of the parking lot. The dark green Mustang turned sharply, spinning out of control.
James went into slow motion, dropping his things and running with everything he had. Seconds seemed like minutes to James, knowing that one more spin was all that it would take. James leaped, pushing the little girl. The Mustang spiraled dangerously. He reached the girl just as the speeding vehicle spun around for the final time.
He felt the searing warmth of contact just before everything turned cold. The ground struck him hard as he landed on the asphalt, his shoulder taking the brunt of the fall. With a stunned gaze, he turned his head to see the shadow of the Mustang looming beside him—a green door panel glistening ominously under the sun.
James smiled, sighing under his breath, thinking how he would explain this to his mother and sister and that truck-kun must be taking a vacation. As fast as a sigh left his mouth, he felt cold metal against his head.