On the street

I step into the elevator and quickly fish out my phone to look up the locations that my landlord, Bella, recommended. To my surprise, there's absolutely no signal in the elevator. Slightly annoyed but not deterred, I decide to wait until I reach the main lobby to search for directions. I also remember that I wanted to check my email for any updates from HR at my new job, but that would have to wait as well.

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open to reveal the bustling main lobby. I step out, finally getting the signal I need. I look up the directions to Mario's Trattoria and commit them to memory before tucking my phone back into my pocket. I also quickly glance at my email inbox but find no new messages from HR. With a determined stride, I make my way to the first intersection.

It's evening, and the sun has already set, casting the city in a warm, golden glow. The streets are teeming with people, a testament to the vibrancy and energy of St. Louis. I join a group waiting to cross at the crosswalk, eager to experience the city's nightlife and grab a bite to eat. I take note of the diverse crowd around me: a young couple holding hands, a businessman focused on his phone, a group of friends laughing and joking, and a mother trying to keep her energetic children in check.

As I wait for the signal to change, an old man suddenly runs towards the intersection, not slowing down at all. He barrels into the crowd, shoving people out of his way and causing a commotion. I watch in shock as the old man continues to run headlong into traffic.

A bus, moving quickly toward the intersection, catches my eye. In that split second, I realize the old man is about to be run down. Time seems to slow down as I leap into action, reaching out to grab the old man and attempt to pull him back out of the bus's path.

To my surprise, the old man resists my attempts, struggling against my grip and making it even more difficult to move him to safety. The air is thick with tension as the bus bears down on us, its horn blaring in warning. My heart races, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I struggle to get the old man to safety.