Beyond The Crash

CHAPTER 6 | [WHERE LIFE IS BETTER]

"So you're gonna be schooling here now," Larry smiled as he looked at the building we had just come out from. As if reminiscing on past memories. I, too, stared at the big school with multiple buildings. I was startled when my phone suddenly rang. It was my aunt. I picked up immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lilley, how are you doing?" Her tone was soft as usual.

"I'm good," I answered. I'm really glad to hear her voice. The only thing I'm familiar with in the foreign land. Then, a sudden thought popped in.
"Aunt, is there a place called Lake City in Germany or in the capital?"

I really hoped so even though there was a part of me that told me there wasn't. "I'm not too sure there is. Why do you ask?"
I guessed it.

"Oh, it's nothing,"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, by the way, I've gone to the administration office."

"Was that where you were? Lindy told me she hadn't seen you when you arrived yesterday," I choked at her words. How am I supposed to start explaining? Where do I even start? I was supposed to be that the apartment complex. How do I tell her I was at the hospital the entire time?

"She said maybe you checked in when someone else was at the reception, but no one said they saw you." I knew what'll come next. "Where were you, Lilley?"

"I... uh..." My brain, I need you to work now. If I tell her I was at the hospital, she'll get worried and ask why... then I'll have to start explaining this whole situation-- maybe that's good. Maybe it's better for her to know. No more secrets.

I walked forward from Nicky and Larry, took a deep breath, and told her everything.
"You remember how I was the only one on that bus, right? So here's the thing... the bus drove supper fast and threw us off a cliff where we both fell to our death was what I believe but then I woke up in a park and this guy called Nicky was there. I got scared cause I was supposed to be dead but here I am still alive so I fainted then I woke up in a hospital with Nicky friend, I believe they're friends, Larry who helped me and the doctor ran some test. I tried to ask where I was, but Nicky didn't know what Germany was, and he said this was Lake City, but I don't know where Lake City is thus why I asked you the question. But then I told them about the school I was supposed to go to and then shockingly the school exist here and I'm registered and the admin said I'm from Wave city, but I'm from Wellington but they don't know what that is which is really weird. So I think I've been transported to another world which is somewhat connected to our world. This is why I have to look for the bus driver that caused all this mess and confusion. " I breathed out as soon as I finished and waited for her response.

It took a while before I heard her say, "What are you talking about?"
Why did I somewhat expect this reaction?

"I mean, I took a bus--"

"Yes, yes, I heard you the first time," there was a short pause. "I mean, what do you mean Lake City or Wave City? What do you mean transported to another world or cliff or bus driver?" I heard her sigh. "I knew I should have followed you to the airport. If only your uncle and I weren't busy."

"There was no airport... I never even made it there." I tried to explain. I know it doesn't sound convincing, and it sounds all made up. Heck, I wouldn't buy it if someone told me.
"Check my location right now. Where am I?"

"Alright, hold on..." I waited patiently until she came back. "It says Berlin."

I paused. "A-are you sure?" Cold sweat dripped down my forehead.

"Sweetie, you're in Berlin. Now, what is this about you in a hospital."

I felt my throat dry up. "Maybe-- Maybe I was mistaken... um... I'm a bit tired aunt, can you please send the location of where I'm to stay, I'll tell you all about the hospital later."

"Alright, be safe and go straight there!"

Am I really imagining it? Am I hallucinating? Since when did I become so delusional? But I slept and woke up, and I'm still here, and they said Lake City or Wave City or whatever city.

I hung up and cleared my throat. I think I lack rest. I walked back to where Nicky and Larry stood.
"What happened?" Larry asked, his eyes wide open.

"Are you okay?" Nicky walked closer.

I checked my phone camera to see my reflection and saw how pale I've gotten. Maybe I'm really delusional.
"I'm good." I smiled.

"What did your aunt say?" Larry asked.

"She just sent the location of where I'll be staying,"

"Where is it? I'll drop you off there." He offered.

"It's called Hulex Apartment Complex. It says it's thirty minutes away..." I showed him from my phone.

"I know there,"

We left the school premises and made our way to the bus station, but as we walked, everything felt... normal. Although it didn't look a bit like Berlin that I've seen in pictures but it felt like an actual place. I sigh as I thought, where is Lake City located? Or am I really in Berlin.

We arrived at the bus station just in time as the bus arrived. As I stepped inside, I got this weird feeling. My heart began to race, and I suddenly started having the worst migraine I'd ever experienced, making my vision blurry and a sudden tigting in my stomach, like I'll throw up any moment. I felt tears trickle down my cheeks, and all my senses became numb. The only thing I could hear was the sound of the bus moving at high speed, crashing into some metals and my scream as the bus fell off. I managed to reach for my neck as I tried gasping for air. It felt like the air was toxic as I choked.

I closed my eyes as I reached for my ears to stop the sounds. I felt like if I took a step forward, I'll face that terrible experience of falling and dying, but I couldn't move or even take a step back. My knees started to give in as the pain gradually spread through my entire body. It felt like I fell from a high building. Am I really going to die? And then something trickled down my ear, and as I brought it to my view, red was the last I saw.

*●|●*

Gasp

I found myself sitting on the bench at the bus station. I tried catching my breath as tears streamed down my face. What just happened?

I couldn't remember anything. Blurry. It's all blurry. Did I really die? Did that moment in the bus really happen? Or had I gone through the airport and I'm really in Berlin?

"Here, drink some water," Larry offered as he sat beside me.

I glanced to the side and saw Nicky beside me. I could read the concern written all over his face.
"Are you feeling any better? Why did the doctor say you're fine and discharged you? You clearly don't look well." He complained.

I took the water from Larry with my shaking hands.
"What happened to me?"