Beyond The Crash

CHAPTER 7 | [A NEW LIFE]

I managed to get the bottle to reach my lips and took a sip.
"What happened to me? Why aren't we on the bus?"

They both went silent and stared at each other.
"You don't remember?" Larry asked, seriousness in his tone.

I shook my head. "I don't."
They looked at me then at each other, then back at me.
"What happened?" I asked again. Did I do something wrong?

"No." They answered in unison as if to answer the question in my head. I got a bit nervous as I stared at Larry, his expression dimmed.
"Nothing happened. Do you still feel nauseous?"

"A little," I answered.

"Why don't we go back to the hospital and get you checked again?" Nicky offered. "Maybe the doctor missed something when he ran the test."

"No, no, it's alright. I'm- I'll get better." I rejected, hastily.
How could I be more of a burden to you guys. They have been so nice to me; a stranger.
"No need to worry," I said as I stood up from where I sat. "Why don't we continue?"

"But--"

"If that's what you want." Larry interjected.

"But Larry..." Nicky said with a low tone.

"We should respect her decision," he took a quick glance at me, "if that's what she wants, why not help her."

A small frown appeared on Nicky's face as he averted his gaze from Larry. He looked like he didn't like my decision at all, but I'd rather not bother them more. For all I know, I don't think the test the ran or the overnight I stayed was free.

Meanwhile, Larry called a taxi and directed the man on where to go.
"Come on, let's go." He called for us as he helped put my box in the trunk of the taxi. I felt a bit chunk in my stomach. I really hope that nauseating feeling won't come back. I couldn't really remember why I didn't enter the bus or what happened, but I had a feeling it wasn't good. I gulped before entering the taxi as Nicky held the door for me. The man waited until everyone was in before he moved. I rested my head on the closed window and closed my eyes to rest a bit.

I slowly opened my eyes as the car drew to a stop. I hadn't realised I had slept throughout the entire ride. We got out of the car while Nicky helped take my box and bag pack from the trunk. I thanked them again for being with me and helping me throughout this entire journey. If it wasn't for them, I probably would have run mad.

We said our goodbyes as I watched them enter back inside the taxi. I wish I could have done more to show them my gratitude. I'm probably not even going to meet them again.

I took a deep breath as I entered the apartment complex. I looked around as I slowly walked to the receptionist. "Good evening, ma'am. I'm here under... um... reservation. My name is Lillian Anderson."

I watched as her eyes widened in shock and surprise. A smile immediately formed on her lips. "You're Shelly's niece," her tone laced with relief and excitement.

I nodded a little awkwardly. "Yes, I am."

"My name is Lindy. We've been friends ever since our high school days," her eyes glimmered as she spoke.

"Is everything okay? You didn't show up yesterday," her tone changed, and a bit of concern and curiosity showed in her eyes.

"Something came up. Nothing serious." I quickly answered.

She paused as if in thought. "I'm going to be looking after you from now on, Shelly has trusted me, so I know it may take some time, but I'll like you to know that you can come to me for anything. I'll always be here," she smiled reassuringly and not going to lie, I felt her warmness. "Let me get the keys to your room." She walked off.

I stood and looked around the pearly white and gold interior of the reception. It was really pretty. And what is that scent? I sniffed a bit. It smelled like jasmine flavoured essential oil. It smelled really nice. Sigh.

Where am I? How is everything here connected to the real world that is if I'm in another world. But how is that even possible? Am I going crazy?

I took a pause on those thoughts. As I waited, I turned on my phone to check the location I'm in. My aunt said it showed I'm in Berlin from her location, but what about mine? I waited until it finished loading, but I saw nothing. It read: Can't find your current location. Unknown whereabout.

That's not normal. Normally, phones know the location of the owner in any part of the world. As long as you're with your phone, those who you share your location can know where you are, and same with you. I'm sure that's how phones work. But why can't I find my location whereas my aunt saw I was in Berlin.

Does this mean...? ...What does it mean?

I scratched my head as I started to feel the headache coming back.
"All right, I got your key. Let me escort you to your room." Lindy said as she came back from another room.

"Okay," I replied as she helped me with my box as we headed to the elevator.