This is unusual. Few cars are on the road tonight, and not as many pedestrians either. It's not like it was midnight or anything, but there was a lot more activity at this time. Maybe it was one of those nights. I walked on with no destination in mind as I looked up at the moon. It's half crescent lighting up the long stretch of tarred road the best it could manage. I whistled a tune as I walked, moving in step with the music playing in my head. 

Soon, I heard footsteps ahead and craned my neck to see who it was. She was wearing a headset and looking down at her phone: Jean overalls, an oversized top, white sneakers, and a backpack. I'd say she was about 19, probably heading home from classes. I kept staring at her, and as if she felt my gaze, she looked up, and I could swear that our eyes met. 

I don't know for sure if she saw me and I wouldn't be able to because at that moment a car was hurtling towards her. The headlights weren't on, and I tried to turn her attention towards the oncoming vehicle. The driver must be drunk or blind or had something against this girl. She didn't seem to see my signals, and just as the car was about to hit her, I ran across the road and jumped in front of her to shield her. 

There was a loud, crunching sound that was soon followed by screeching tires as the car sped away. People soon started to walk towards us, and I wondered where they came from. Some tried to check for a pulse, others took out their phones to record, and a few were just standing around swearing at the driver or shaking their heads. 

I just stood there watching this scene unfold and turned to my right to see the girl standing beside me. She didn't seem shaken and just stared at the people crowding around her lifeless body. 

“You don't get used to it,” I tell her, and she finally looks at me. I was sure she did see me earlier, but I couldn't care less. We watched as an ambulance came to take her body away, and I turned to ask her name. 

“Alicia.” 

“I'm Brian. Wanna walk with me?” The night was still young, and I never thought I'd have a partner to stroll this same road where I was killed a few years ago. She nodded yes, and into the night we walked. Into the lonely night. 

-drew