The screech of tires echoed through the air as the massive truck came to a gradual stop, its weight causing it to slide a few extra feet. Just a moment before, a young woman had been standing in its path.

  The driver gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles, his heart racing as he slammed the brakes. Panic coursed through him, and his face drained of color as he braced for impact.

  After what felt like an eternity, he slowly opened his eyes, dread pooling in his stomach. He stared ahead, his mind racing.

  But then confusion washed over him.

  “Where is she?” he muttered to himself, scanning the road ahead. No sign of the girl, only a few other vehicles approaching.

  Just seconds ago, she had been right in front of him, within a mere meter of his truck. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had hit her.

  “Did she… get thrown away?” The thought sent a chill down his spine.

  With a terrified expression, he flung open the door, leaping out to inspect the scene. To his relief, there were no signs of impact, no blood, nothing to indicate an accident had occurred.

  He furrowed his brow, disbelief creeping in. “Did she really dodge it? How is that even possible?”

  He crouched down, peering under the truck, still finding nothing. “Was she really that quick?”

  As he stood up, he noticed a group of pedestrians nearby, all staring in shock at something on the ground—a large depression in the asphalt, littered with gravel.

  “What the hell? Was I seeing things?” he murmured, shaking his head in confusion.

  Turning to head back to his truck, he caught sight of the girl he thought he’d run over. She was safe, standing at the entrance of a store, cradled in the arms of a tall, well-dressed man who wore a confident smile.

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  “Did he save her from my truck?” The driver’s mind reeled. “How did I miss that?”

  Shaking off the bewilderment, he muttered, “Well, at least nothing happened. Just a false alarm.”

  With a mix of frustration and relief, he climbed back into his truck and continued on his route, grumbling to himself.

  If only he knew that the deep marks on the road were made by the mysterious man—a fleeting moment of heroism that had left everyone awestruck.

  Meanwhile, across the street, onlookers gaped at Billy, many pulling out their phones to capture the unexpected scene.

  Billy, still holding Mary in his arms, looked at her with a mix of concern and reprimand. “Mary, you’ve got to be more careful around traffic. If I hadn’t been here, you could have been seriously hurt. People would be devastated.”

  His words dripped with genuine concern, and he couldn’t help but breathe in her scent—a delightful fragrance that made him reluctant to let go.

  He noticed how slim her waist was, her winter clothing making her appear even more delicate. As he gazed at her, he realized she was more beautiful than he had imagined. Her fair skin glowed, and her features were striking—like a finely crafted work of art. Her long, wavy hair added an alluring charm that caught his attention.

  It wasn’t that Mary had changed; it was that his senses had heightened, a gift from the wisdom of Solomon coursing through him.

  Mary looked up at Billy, her eyes slightly unfocused, her heart racing. She had always dreamed of a hero coming to her rescue, and now, here he was.

  “Who are you? How do you know my name?” she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

  Billy paused, momentarily caught off guard. The persona standing before her was not just Billy Batson; he was the new Shazam.

  “I’m Shazam,” he said with a grin. “You might have heard of me. I’m a superhero with a knack for sensing certain things about people.”

  He quickly crafted a plausible explanation, deciding to keep his true identity a secret, especially from those in the orphanage. He knew the dangers that lurked in a world filled with super-powered beings, and he didn’t want to become a target.

  “Thank you for saving me,” Mary said, lowering her gaze as a worried look crossed her face. Yet, she felt a warmth in his embrace that surpassed anything she had experienced before, even in the orphanage.

  Though slightly embarrassed, she found herself reluctant to pull away, craving his comforting presence.

  Billy, perceptive as ever, recognized her need for reassurance. This was a moment he could seize.

  “Mary, you’ve dreamed of getting into Caltech, and now that it’s happening, you should be celebrating. Your family will be proud of you.”

  “Even though saying goodbye is hard, it doesn’t mean you can’t come back. I’ll visit you too,” he added, hoping to lift her spirits.

  At his words, Mary’s eyes sparkled with hope, her worries momentarily forgotten as she realized that the future might hold more than just separation.