Beyond The Crash

CHAPTER 1 | [OUR ENCOUNTER]

The air felt pretty gloomy. Maybe that was because of all the sad faces looking at me right now. I was finally going to leave the nest and be free. We said our goodbyes to each other as I made my way for the bus.

"Remember, the world is a dangerous place, so be extra careful. Oh, and also don't forget to text me and call me, I'll make sure to do the same so always be with your phone. Make sure to eat well and eat healthy food too. If you ever change your mind and want to come back-"

"Honey, I think she'll be alright,"

I laughed and agreed to what she said as I got on the bus. Not to long after, the bus started moving and I looked through the window as I watched my friends, neighbours and my aunt faces pass by; not gonna lie, I felt pretty sad but didn't cry.

After trying to hold back, my tears for a while, I looked up happy. This is my chance. A chance of freedom, but that happy feeling didn't last long.

The bus ride started off smooth. Buildings, faces, familiar streets, and places, all passing me by; my life here also passing by. Then it went quiet.

I noticed that I was the only one on the bus, which was pretty unusual. I had this eerie feeling, but before I could take in ev'rything, the bus started moving at a high speed. Cutting in and out of turns. I could feel my pulse increase and my breath sharp.

I felt something burning in my stomach. Clenching onto my shirt, I tried to focus on my breathing. What the heck is going on?

I looked out the window and saw the turn that led to the train station. But it kept on going straight. At this point, I didn't even know where we were going.

"HEY! EXCUSE ME!" I tried calling out as loud as possible but nothing. I looked out the window again, and I could literally feel my heart drop. We weren't in town. In fact, it's like we've gone out of it. What!!!

I gulped.

"DRIVER! WHAT THE HECK?!"

Nothing again.

As we were passing, I saw a sign board which said 'Dead End. Beware, Cliff Ahead.'

WHAT?

I don't know how I'm able to take note of these signs despite the bus moving fast, but right now is not the time to figure it out.
I stood up and called out to the driver again to stop the bus, but he didn't listen. We were heading for a cliff. I tried moving forward, but it was harder than I thought.

Does this guy want to kill us? Is he tired of life? Why take me with you? I want to live. Thoughts came rushing through my head, and before I knew it...

I felt myself floating. I could see my bag pack floating. Everything started spinning.

The bus must have fallen off the cliff. What cliff?

I suddenly felt a rush of blood, and my back slammed against the side of the bus; my arm hitting hard on the iron rail and my head on the window.

Then I heard a loud crash. Everything went dark. Then, a signal followed by silence. A lot of silence.

My body hurt. A lot. I feel like crying, but it hurt.

...

Why?

...

I... I wanna go home. I miss my aunt...

I slowly tried opening my eyes but all I saw was red.
Why was my story so short-lived?

Mom...

I don't want to die...

BLACK OUT.

*●|●*

"Hello, hello. Can you hear me?"

I heard an unfamiliar voice, someone calling out to me, but how? Aren't I dead? I slowly opened my eyes, and oh my heavens, it's bright. And, who's that?

"An angel?" I asked, trying to fully open my eyes.

"Sadly, no," he replied.

I quickly stood up after his response. I looked at my surroundings, but everything felt... unfamiliar. Where am I? What just happened? I turned and looked at the guy next to me. He looked... real and pretty.

"Are you okay?" He asked me again, and that slapped me back to reality.

"Am I dead?" I asked shockingly.

"Sorry, it's my fault," he quickly apologised to me.

Why is he saying sorry? It's that bus driver's fault– wait a minute, where is he? And where is the bus? I checked myself and noticed I wasn't injured. Why don't I have any scratches, pain, or broken bones? Something's not right.

I looked at my surroundings again. A park, but what am I doing in a park? Shouldn't I be dead or at least in a hospital critically injured? I'm confused.
"What's going on?"

I tried searching for my phone but it's not with me and same with my bag. Now I'm really about to cry.

I looked back at the boy. "Hey, can you borrow me your phone for a moment?" I asked in the nicest way possible, trying to suppress my desperation.

"Sorry, but I left it at home," he paused. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Well... your nose... it's bleeding,"

"Huh?"

BLACK OUT.