Chapter 2 Another Life

Julia's eyes slowly fluttered open only for her to close her eyes again because of a bright light... Had the bus arrived? Her eyes fluttered open again, and she was about to turn to check on Lia when she realised where she was... She was no longer on the bus! Her eyes immediately grew wide... where was she? How did she get here? Julia's eyes started to scan her surroundings frantically... she was standing in the middle of what seemed like a field... it was a mast field, and the sun stood high and bright in the sky... She turned around, and all she could see for a distance was just the field and nothing else... "They found us!" That was the first thing that popped up in her mind... Charlie must have found them! Where was Lia... she had to get out of there quickly... Her heart was racing as her legs moved and she started to run... But the more she ran, the more she looked around looking for a way out, but she couldn't find one... it felt like she was stuck in an endless loop and would never find a way out, and she finally stopped running... Her heart racing like crazy in her chest... "Julia!" She heard someone yell out her name suddenly, and her heart dropped... Julia's eyes began to scan the whole area, but she couldn't find anyone... There was no one around! Where was the voice coming from... She started to walk away quickly from the place, hoping to find a way out, and like someone had heard her plea, she finally found a way out... Julia immediately stopped in her tracks when she saw that she was out of the fields, and she sighed in relief... Now she just had to find someone who could help her... And then she would look for Lia.... she just hoped Lia was okay and Charlie didn't harm her... If only someone would come to her aid... Anyone please... she pleaded in her mind hoping against all hopes... She continued walking till she got to a road that looked long... Julia started to walk on the road, hoping a car would buy or something... But seconds turned into minutes and minutes into the hour, but not a single car had passed by, and she had not seen a single soul... it felt like the road was never-ending, and Julia couldn't take it anymore... "Why is this happening to me!" Julia yelled out in frustration... She broke down when she could not walk any longer and fell to her knees crying... her shoulders trembled as she stayed there, and suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder... and then began to pat it... Julia stopped crying, and strangely, she didn't feel scared. Instead, she felt comforted... but as she turned to look at who it was... a blinding light started to shine... Julia's eyes fluttered slowly, and it took a few seconds for reality to dawn upon her and for it to sink in that she was on a bus.. it had just been a dream... she sighed deeply, and her mind went to Lia... Julia immediately turned to her side, and her heart dropped when she saw the seat empty... "Lia!" she said and was about to stand up to look for Lia when she saw her approaching... "You are awake...I didn't want to wake you when you were sleeping so soundly," Lia said to her, and Julia sighed in relief... she sat back down and ran her hand through her dark brown hair... "You must be tired from the night shift you took," Lia said. She took her seat, too, and Julia nodded... her hand travelled to her neck, which had become a bit numb because of the position she had slept... She checked her watch and saw that they had been on the road for almost two hours... They were almost out of the city and would be arriving at Everton... a place she always wanted to visit and the first place that had come to her mind when buying a bus ticket... "I can't believe we are leaving," Lia muttered, breaking through Julia's thought, and it was then that Julia noticed Lia fiddling with her fingers... she turned to look at Lia and saw how much of a nervous wreck she had become... A bead of sweat had formed on her forehead, and she immediately looked away when her eyes met with Julia's... "I told you not to worry, lia... please relax, okay?" Julia assured, and Lia nodded... As time passed, Julia could feel Lia's piercing gaze on her... she turned to look at her friend, and immediately their eyes met. Lia looked away... "Do you have something to say to me, lia?" Julia asked, and Liao shook her head and chose to remain silent... Julia sighed deeply and turned towards the window... her mind reverting to the strange dream she had... it had been so scary and who was the strange person... it felt so real and vivid... like it happened, but she was sure nothing like that ever happened to her... The rest of the ride, Julia couldn't shake away the feeling that something was up with Lia... lia had pretended to be asleep, but Julia knew she was awake but was only pretending so she wouldn't answer any more questions... Was it because of that guy at the factory? People like them couldn't afford love. It was a weakness... She didn't ask any more questions and remained silent till they arrived at their stop... It was only when Lia stopped dead in her tracks as they were leaving the bus station that Julia finally became concerned... "Are you alright, lia? What's wrong... you have been acting weird. " Julia asked, and Lia swallowed. "I called Charlie and told him where we were heading." Lia blurted out, and Julia's eyes immediately grew wide... for a second, she thought she had misheard Lia... "What!"