The Guardian

Prologue

The night was deceptively calm, a gentle breeze weaving through the trees, rustling the leaves like soft whispers.

Lila walked home, her earbuds snug in her ears, lost in the music that enveloped her like a warm blanket. The moon hung high above, casting a silvery glow that spilled over the cracked pavement, illuminating her path with an ethereal light.

At eighteen, she was a portrait of youth-her wild, long hair that waved around her shoulders, framing a heart-shaped face adorned with freckles that seemed to twinkle under the moonlight.

Tonight, she wore her favourite denim jacket, frayed at the cuffs, and black leggings that hugged her form, a shield against the crisp evening air.

But as she rounded the corner, the peace shattered like glass. A sudden blaze of
glowing yellow headlights cut through the darkness, blinding her for an instant.

The sinister growl of an engine pierced the night twisted her stomach in knots. She stumbled backward to try to avoid the vehicle, her sneakers skidding on the pavement, the rough asphalt scraping against her skin. Panic surged through her veins, coiling tightly in her chest as she tried to run, but her legs felt heavy, weighed down by an invisible force. There was nowhere to escape.

Then came the impact. A bone-jarring collision. It felt as though the world had exploded around her, the heavy force slamming into her with a violent intensity that stole her breath. A sickening crunch reverberated in hers and everyone else's ears, drowning out her own scream, as the ground rushed up to meet her.

As she crumpled to the pavement, Lila's vision blurred, her body a tangled mess of
limbs. Her breath came in shallow gasps and her heart thundered, each beat reverberating through her, a desperate plea for life. Her body had gone into shock as it finally dawned on her that she had been run over.

The car sped away like it had done nothing wrong at all.

Above her, the moon shone brightly, a silent witness to her fading existence. People began to gather, their faces emerging from the shadows, shock, and horror painted across their features. She felt her eyes flickers as a woman knelt beside her, her hands trembling as she gently placed them on Lila's shoulder, her voice urgent and frantic.

"Stay with us, sweetheart! Help is coming!" The words felt distant, muffled by the fog closing in around her, as if spoken from another world.

A man nearby fumbled with his phone, hands shaking as he dialled emergency services, his voice cracking with fear. "Someone call 911! She's hurt!"

Lila could see their concerned faces, blurred outlines against the backdrop of the night, their mouths moving, but their words lost to the void that surrounded her.

As the darkness encroached, Lila felt a strange detachment, as if she were floating above her own body. She watched the chaos unfold-people rushing around her, their panic palpable, yet it all felt unreal, like a dream she couldn't escape. In those fleeting moments, she sensed something shifting within her, a mixture of fear and resignation settling in her bones. She knew, deep down, that she was meant to die; the thought enveloped her like a heavy shroud, familiar.

But as the darkness threatened to consume her, a flicker of warmth brushed against her soul -a glimmer of light fighting against the encroaching shadows. It was fleeting, like a candle struggling against a storm, yet it offered a fragile sense of hope that cut through the despair.

In the depths of her mind, she felt a gentle presence, a whisper that promised safety and refuge. Just as she surrendered to the darkness, a soft, radiant figure formed in her vision, shimmering with an otherworldly glow that filled her with warmth. The faded into a mist, their frantic cries dissolving into silence.

As Lila lay on the cold pavement, a figure emerged from the shadows, hovering above her, watching her. She didn't know who it was, but they radiated a soft, warm light when the darkness began to seep in.

"Lila," a male voice said. "I'm here. You're not alone."

Lila tried to blink off from passing out as she heard the man's voice. It sounded sweet, kind, caring. She slowly looked at him.

"You will be okay," He reassured her, his eyes filled with a luminous certainty that pierced through the haze of confusion. "I promise you, I will save you."

For a moment, Lila felt an inexplicable sense of safety wash over her. It was as if hope itself had materialized, grounding her in the midst of turmoil. She searched his eyes, seeking reassurance, but words eluded her.

"Just hold on," he urged. "You are stronger than you know. Help is on the way."

Lila clung onto his words. The promise in his voice resonated deep within her.

Lila took one last breath before closing her eyes.

A/N: New story! Thoughts?