The Fugitive

Chapter 6 A Familiar Face

The bus came to a stop. Its engine gave a resounding puff as though it was tired from the long journey. Alice felt terribly hungry. Her stomach growled like a spoiled child. The woman still had a perpetual grip on her as they got off the bus.

The ticket collector looked at Alice's ticket questionly wondering why she was getting off at Aridius when her ticket was set for Frankston. The woman just patted the man on the shoulder and said, "I wouldn't worry about it."

The man looked like he fell under a spell and began checking other tickets.

They headed through the well planned streets of Frankston. Alice gaped in wonder at the sky high skyscrapers and the breathtaking structures. The roads were so smooth unlike the ones in Drenal that Alice felt like lying down and sleeping on them. Everyone else had a specific place to go to and did not stop to admire the place like Alice did.

"What's wrong with you? You look like you haven't seen this place before." The woman said shoving Alice forward when she would unknowingly stop to drink in the sights of this thriving metropolis.

They began to reach a series of bungalows standing with an air of arrogant grace. The woman abruptly stopped infront of the nearest one and Alice bumped into her fluffy dress.

The door was answered by a weary looking man.
"Mrs Waller, good to see you today." The man greeted distractedly. "I am sorry, but I am rather busy at the moment looking for my daughter."

"Of course, I understand that it is of importance to you, Henry Cawlson. But I think this girl is of greater importance." Mrs Waller gestured towards Alice unable to suppress a grin.

Alice took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do. She would talk to these parents and tell her that it was a misunderstanding and that she was not their daughter. If they recognize her as the fugitive the police is looking for, she would bribe them. Alice only hoped that she had enough priceless valuables stuffed in her bag. Otherwise she may have to do a fake promise to find their lost daughter or something.

But what happened next took her completely off guard. Henry took one good look at Alice and hugged her. Alice staggered under his weight.

"My child." Henry sobbed. "What did we do to you to make you run away from us?"

"Um..."

"Tell me. You know your mother and I would buy the world for you, if we could." He was pleading now. Rivulets of tears flowed shamelessly from the full grown man's eyes.
Alice didn't know what compelled her to do this, but she just did.

"I'm sorry, dad. I am so sorry." The words spilled like water out of her mouth.

"Henry, what's going on out there?" A woman's voice sounded from within the house. Alice saw a beautiful woman exit the house. Her hair was blonde and her bangs fell on her shoulders elegantly. Upon seeing Alice, she clutched her heart. "By the spark of Aridius, it's really you Samantha!" With that she too joined the suffocating, but heart warming hug.

Alice felt guilty. Very guilty. She knew she would have to break it to them. She was not their daughter.

"Ehm, ehm." The Mrs Waller coughed trying to get the parents' attention. "It's truly a miracle. I was so fortunate as to stumble upon your daughter."

"I will get you the money. Just wait one moment." Henry said hastily. He broke free from the hug and rushed back inside returning with the specified amount.

Smiling smugly at Alice, Mrs Waller walked away. Alice decided to grab this chance. She stuck her tongue out rudely at Mrs Waller. She saw Mrs Waller's face mingle with anger and surprise before the beautiful woman lead her into the house and closed the door.