章節 19: Echoes of Departure and Frustration

On the other side, Lilly was walking with a backpack slung over her shoulder, her fingers tightly clutching the old brown box. This box held the remnants of her past, the only tangible connection to a life she was leaving behind. She had no clear destination in mind, and the thought of venturing far from Maria, her lifelong confidante, was both daunting and heart-wrenching. Maria had always been her shelter, her anchor to the world, but now, circumstances had altered their course, leading Lilly into an uncertain future.

As Lilly continued her journey, she found herself on the third bus of the day, determined to put as much distance as possible between her and her past life. Finally, she arrived at the train station, her last mode of transportation on this unexpected journey.

While waiting for the train, Lilly decided to buy some food from a nearby shop. As she sat down to eat, her mind involuntarily drifted back to the days of laughter and fun with Maria and Noah. The bittersweet memories threatened to overwhelm her, and she tried her best to hold back tears, not wanting to look back.

Amidst her inner turmoil, Lilly noticed a handkerchief being offered to her by a kind stranger, a man who seemed to sense her distress.

Lilly accepted the handkerchief with gratitude and thanked the kind stranger, noting that he appeared to be around 25 years old. His striking dark brown eyes and well-groomed hair gave him a charming appearance, and he was dressed in a sharp suit that only added to his appeal.

As he smiled at her and asked if he could sit nearby, Lilly felt a strange sense of comfort in his presence. She nodded, permitting him to join her, and a conversation between two lost souls amid their n to unfold

The gentleman, with his charming demeanour, asked Lilly with genuine concern, "Are you okay?" His kind and gentle tone conveyed his sincere interest in her well-being, and Lilly, taken aback by this stranger's warmth, managed a faint smile before replying, "Sure sir. I am fine. Thank you gentleman nodded, acknowledging her response. As Lilly's thoughts briefly wandered to Noah, she couldn't help but appreciate the concern this stranger had shown her, even if their encounter was fleeting. Noah's memory was a bittersweet reminder of the bonds she had left behind, and it tugged at her heartstrings.

The gentleman's inquisitive gaze lingered on Lilly as he ventured further, "Are you running away from home?" Lilly's smile remained, but she replied with a hint of mystery, "No, it's not quite like that." She left the details shrouded in the air of secrecy that surrounded her sudden departure.

As the train approached, Lilly gathered her backpack and prepared to board. The gentleman, sensing her need for support and understanding, extended a kind gesture. He offered her his phone number and shared a piece of his past, saying, "Hey girl, I think you're running away. I know how it feels because I once ran away too. But don't forget the people you're leaving behind—your parents, your friends. They must be suffering. There must be a reason for your departure, but running away isn't always the solution. Here's my number. If you find yourself in trouble, don't hesitate to call me. I think you don't have anyone right now." He smiled warmly and handed her a card. Lilly accepted it with gratitude and replied, "Thank you." With that, she boarded the train, carrying the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future.

As Lilly sat on the train, the words of the kind gentleman echoed in her mind. The mention of family and the thought of her parents waiting for her sent a shiver down her spine. She grappled with the painful reality of her past actions, the fact that she had taken the lives of her parents. The weight of her guilt pressed down on her, and she couldn't help but view herself as a monster.

Torn between the love and care she felt for those she had left behind, and the fear of what she might do to them, Lilly found herself in a profound inner struggle. How could she protect the people she cared about when she couldn't even trust herself? It was a haunting question that would continue to torment her as she embarked on this uncertain journey.

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Noah's urgency was palpable as he rushed to get a cab, his face etched with worry and determination. He swiftly directed the driver to the police station, and the driver, sensing the gravity of the situation, didn't ask any questions. As they arrived at the police station, Noah handed the cab fare to the driver, but the driver, noticing Noah's distress, interrupted, saying, "Hey, son, here is your balance," even before he could finish his sentence. Noah's focus was solely on finding Lilly, and he wasted no time heading into the police station to report her disappearance.

Noah was deeply concerned about Lilly's disappearance, and he approached one of the police officers to report it. However, the officer didn't seem to take it seriously and asked, "When did she disappear?"

Noah replied politely, "Sir, she's been missing since this morning."

The police officer dismissed the situation, by saying, "Oh, it's normal these days; young people often go off with friends. Let's wait until tomorrow. If she doesn't return, we can investigate. You can go for now. It's only the afternoon. I'll inform my superior."

Noah's face turned red with frustration upon hearing the officer's response. He placed his trembling hands on the table, surrounded by complaint forms, and his voice quivered with anger as he exclaimed, "It's important, sir. She's not just anyone. I know her, and she left a letter for me."His eyes turn to well up when he says she left a letter for him.

The police officer, now equally agitated, retorted, "How dare you shout at me like this? Who do you think you are? We deal with numerous cases that are more pressing. You come here with a mere missing person case. She must be your girlfriend, right? That's why you're raising your voice. This is a police station, and you have no right to shout at me. You're under arrest for disrespecting a police officer."

Just as tensions escalated, the superior officer arrived at the police station, drawn by the commotion. He recognized Noah and his face lit up as he inquired, "Oh, you're Noah Anderson, correct? Why are you here, sir?"

Noah replied politely but with visible frustration, "Sir, I came here to report the disappearance of my friend Lilly. However, this police officer didn't seem to pay any attention to it, as if it wasn't important."

The superior officer cast a glare at the subordinate officer and addressed Noah, saying, "I apologize, sir. There are many cases we're handling, and my colleague may have been frustrated and spoke out of turn. Please forgive him, sir."

The police officer, who typically didn't extend niceties to anyone, found himself taken aback. He wondered who this young man was to receive such an apology from the usually stern superior officer. With an awkward expression, he approached Noah and said, "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't fully understand your situation. I apologize for my behaviour."

Noah, not dwelling on the officer's apology, implored the superior, "Sir, please investigate my friend's disappearance."

The superior officer, maintaining his polite demeanour, asked, "Certainly, sir. Could you provide me with more details? Any information will be helpful for the case."

Noah handed over the letter that Lilly had left for him. As the superior officer read it, his eyes welled up with sympathy, though he tried to conceal his emotions. He swiftly contacted Maria, requesting a photo of Lilly, which she promptly sent to him. The superior officer included this image in the case file.

Before leaving, Noah turned to the superior officer and, with a stern voice, stated, "I won't mind the incident that occurred today, as long as you find her. But if you fail to do so, you will witness my true colours."

The superior officer, maintaining his politeness, assured Noah, "Sir, we will find her for sure. Just give us some time."

Noah, still harbouring a hint of anger, left the police office, his heart heavy with worry for Lilly.