Soulmate

Episode 3- Accident Hero

When my shift ended , I quickly left and headed home, but while I was walking, a wave of hunger suddenly hit me. I hadn't eaten anything since morning, and my stomach growled in protest. I decided to stop by a nearby bakery. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, warm and inviting. I bought a loaf and stepped outside, taking slow bites as I walked. That’s when I overheard a conversation around the corner of the bakery alley.

"Let go of me!" a girl's voice cried out.

"I won’t hurt you," another voice said, deeper, trying to sound calm but clearly threatening.

"What do you need from me? I’m not rich, we have no money! I have nothing to give you!" she said desperately.

"We're not after money," a third voice replied with a creepy kind of excitement.

"Then what?" she asked, almost whispering now.

"My friend has a huge crush on you and wants you to answer him," one of them said.

"I don’t want to. You’re disgusting! I don’t know if it’s his face or his attitude that’s worse," she snapped back.

"You’re overdoing it," one of them warned.

"That’s enough," another muttered darkly.

"Your mouth is overdoing it so bad," the first one snapped.

“Oh, that’s it!” one of them shouted, followed by a loud slap.

"Ah! Help!" the girl screamed.

I paused mid-bite, my eyes widening. I stood frozen in place, the piece of bread halfway to my mouth. My first instinct was to ignore it—after all, it wasn’t my problem. I wasn’t a hero, and getting involved could end badly. But the cry for help echoed in my mind, louder than anything. Before I realized it, my legs had already started moving. I didn't plan it, didn't think about it—I just found myself standing there, in front of them, with my mouth still full of bread.

Feeling ridiculous and embarrassed, I shouted, “That’s enough!”—though it came out more like a muffled mess of words.

The entire alley fell silent. All eyes turned to me. I could feel the weight of their stares, the hostility in the air. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. A voice in my head screamed, Why did I interfere?! I should’ve just kept walking!

But it was too late. I was already here. There was no turning back now. I took a deep breath, swallowed the last of my bread, and repeated myself more clearly this time: “That’s enough!”

The gang members looked at me like I was some kind of i***t. Maybe I was. My whole body was shaking, but I forced myself to stand tall, to show no fear. I clenched my trembling fists and pointed at the girl.

“You heard me. Leave that girl alone.”

One of the gang members smirked. “Are you shaking?”

“Don’t mind me,” I muttered, trying to stay calm. “Just give her to me. I want to go home.”

For a moment, it looked like they were going to back off. But then, one of them stepped forward aggressively. His face twisted in a sneer as he pulled back his fist. I froze. What do I do?

But before I could answer myself, my body moved on its own. Instinct took over. I dodged his punch—barely. Adrenaline surged through me. My eyes widened in shock. Did I just dodge that? Another punch came—I dodged again! This time with a bit more confidence.

It felt surreal, like I had suddenly unlocked ninja reflexes I didn’t know I had. The gang member grew angrier and threw another punch, but again, I dodged it effortlessly. I couldn’t help but feel excited. I’m actually doing this!

Then I saw an opening.

“It’s my turn!” I shouted.

Without thinking, I swung my fist with everything I had. My punch connected, solid and strong. The guy dropped to the ground like a sack of bricks, groaning. For a second, even I was stunned. Did I really just knock him down?

I snapped out of it and turned to the girl, who was staring at me with wide eyes.

“Let’s go!” I said, grabbing her hand.

We sprinted down the alley like maniacs, my heart still racing, her hand gripping mine tightly. We didn’t stop running until the bakery and that terrifying alley were far behind us. I didn’t know where we were going. I didn’t know what just happened. But in that moment, I felt like I had done something right.

TO BE CONTINUED...