VROOOOOM!
A car suddenly rushes forward at full speed.
The sound cuts through the street like a blade through air, instantly silencing the neighborhood.
For a split second, everything feels frozen.
Voices, footsteps, even the background noise of the city seem to vanish.
Only the engine remains.
Sunlight hits the car's hood violently, creating a blinding white reflection that flashes across people's eyes.
The ground seems to vibrate under Aïcha's feet.
A smell of hot dust and heated rubber rises into the air.
Aïcha suddenly steps back.
Her body reacts before her mind can process what is happening.
Her face is tense, eyes wide open, still trying to understand the speed of the vehicle.
The driver
Inside the car, a man in his thirties grips the steering wheel tightly.
His face shows fatigue: slight dark circles, a clenched jaw, a slightly wrinkled forehead.
His eyes are locked on the road with nervous intensity.
He doesn't look like a reckless driver, but someone caught in a panic reaction.
His hands squeeze the wheel so hard his knuckles turn white.
His breathing is fast and irregular.
Too late.
The vehicle passes just a few centimeters from Aïcha.
A violent rush of air hits her body.
Her hair lifts sharply.
Her heart explodes in her chest.
boom!
SKRRRRR!
The tires scream across the burning asphalt.
The sound is long, sharp, almost metallic, echoing against the buildings.
The car brakes hard right after.
The driver slightly releases the pressure, still shaking.
He opens the window abruptly.
— hey! watch out!
His voice is broken, still shaken by what just happened.
— do you want to get yourself killed? look where you're going!
His voice trembles between fear and anger.
Around them, reactions explode immediately.
— he was driving too fast!
— she almost got hit!
— that was dangerous!
People quickly gather.
Some point at the car.
Others stare at Aïcha, still frozen.
The crowd
A young boy from the neighborhood steps forward slightly.
He is Aïcha's friend.
He is usually calm, observant, and quiet.
His eyes are fixed on her, full of concern.
But he does not interrupt yet.
He watches, understanding she is in shock.
The driver leans out of the window.
— she wasn't watching! I saw her too late!
— no, you were going too fast!
— we all saw it!
Voices overlap.
The street noise slowly returns, but remains chaotic.
— I braked at the last second!
The driver hits the steering wheel lightly, still trembling.
— if I hadn't braked, she wouldn't be here!
His gaze is tense, defensive.
— but you were still speeding!
— she's still in shock, look at her!
Aïcha remains frozen.
Her ears are slightly ringing.
Her eyes feel distant, like she is still trapped in the moment.
Her heart beats too fast.
boom… boom…
Sunlight filters between buildings, casting moving shadows across her face.
The driver breathes heavily.
His shoulders remain tense.
— I did what I could… I braked immediately
— you only see the result…
His tone hardens.
— not what could have happened
Silence grows heavier.
— you were still speeding!
— she could have died!
The driver clenches his jaw.
His fingers still shake on the door.
— people here cross without looking…
Aïcha still does not move.
Her friend watches her from a short distance.
He hesitates to approach, but stays careful.
— and you drive like this?
Aïcha remains silent.
— aïcha…
A voice behind her.
Calm.
She freezes immediately.
Sunlight feels softer under the trees.
She slowly turns her head.
It is her friend.
He stepped closer gently.
His expression is calm but serious.
— are you okay? are you in shock?
Aïcha blinks.
The world slowly returns to normal volume.
— yes… I'm okay
Her voice is weak.
Her friend nods softly.
— be careful… that was really dangerous
She slightly nods.
She starts walking again.
But her steps feel heavy.
08:11
She stops for a moment.
The street continues to move around her.
But something inside her remains stuck.
An invisible pressure in her chest.
She tightens her bag strap slightly.
In the crowd…
the driver stands still for a second.
Then lowers his head slightly.
And disappears into the flow of people.
Thank you for reading this chapter 🙏