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ลำดับตอนที่ #6 : Chapter 6: Crossing Borders
Chapter 6: Crossing Borders
The sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape as Adrian and Isabella continued their journey northward. The car’s tires hummed steadily on the deserted highway, a stark contrast to the turmoil in their hearts. They had been driving through the night, their eyes heavy with fatigue but their minds alert with the constant fear of being followed.
Adrian glanced at Isabella, who was dozing lightly in the passenger seat, her head resting against the window. Despite the exhaustion etched on her face, she looked peaceful, a stark reminder of why he had to keep her safe at all costs. He turned his focus back to the road, gripping the steering wheel tightly. They still had a long way to go, and the dangers were far from over.
As they approached a small town, Adrian decided it was time for a break. He gently nudged Isabella awake. "Hey, we’re stopping for a bit. We need to rest and refuel."
Isabella stirred, blinking sleepily. "Where are we?"
"Just a little town off the highway. We’ll find a place to eat and get some supplies," Adrian replied, pulling into a gas station.
They stepped out of the car, stretching their stiff limbs. The morning air was cool and refreshing, a welcome change from the stale confines of the vehicle. Adrian began pumping gas while Isabella walked towards a small diner nearby. The neon sign flickered, casting a warm, inviting glow.
Inside, the diner was quiet, with only a few early-morning patrons scattered among the booths. Isabella chose a table near the window, where she could keep an eye on the car. A waitress approached, her tired smile genuine.
"Good morning, honey. What can I get you?" the waitress asked, her voice kind.
Isabella smiled back. "Two coffees and some breakfast, please. My fiancé will be joining me soon."
The waitress nodded and walked away. Isabella’s thoughts drifted as she stared out the window, watching Adrian finish fueling the car. Their journey had been fraught with peril, but she was grateful for these small moments of normalcy.
Adrian joined her a few minutes later, sliding into the booth across from her. "Everything’s set. The car’s ready to go."
"Good. I ordered us some breakfast. We need to keep our strength up," Isabella replied, her eyes soft with concern.
"Thank you," Adrian said, taking her hand across the table. "We’re going to make it, Isabella. I promise."
Their food arrived, and they ate in relative silence, both lost in their thoughts. The warm food and coffee provided a much-needed boost, and they felt slightly more human by the time they finished. Adrian paid the bill, leaving a generous tip, and they headed back to the car.
As they continued their journey, the landscape gradually changed, becoming more rugged and forested. They were getting closer to the border, and with each passing mile, the tension grew. Adrian kept a close eye on the rearview mirror, but there were no signs of pursuit.
By midday, they reached a checkpoint. It wasn’t the main border crossing but a smaller, less frequented one. Adrian had chosen this route intentionally, hoping it would be easier to slip through unnoticed. They pulled up to the booth, where a stern-looking border guard stood.
"Passports, please," the guard said, his tone professional but not unkind.
Adrian handed over their forged documents, his heart pounding in his chest. Isabella sat still, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The guard scrutinized the passports, his gaze flicking between the photos and their faces.
"Purpose of your visit?" he asked, looking directly at Adrian.
"We’re on a road trip, heading up to visit some friends in Vancouver," Adrian replied smoothly, his voice calm.
The guard nodded slowly, still studying the documents. "How long will you be staying?"
"A couple of weeks, maybe longer. Just taking it easy," Adrian said, forcing a smile.
The guard finally handed back the passports. "Enjoy your trip. Drive safely."
Adrian breathed a sigh of relief as they drove through the checkpoint. Isabella let out a small laugh, a mix of nerves and disbelief.
"I can’t believe that worked," she said, shaking her head.
"Me neither," Adrian admitted. "But we’re not safe yet. We need to keep moving."
As they drove deeper into Canada, the tension began to ease slightly. They were out of immediate danger, but they couldn’t afford to let their guard down. They stopped at a remote cabin, arranged by Adrian’s contact, to rest and plan their next move.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was tense but hopeful. Isabella sat by the fireplace, staring into the flames. Adrian joined her, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"We’ve come this far," Isabella said softly. "What’s our next step?"
"We’ll stay here for a few days, lay low. My contact will bring us new identities and help us settle somewhere safe," Adrian replied.
"Do you trust him?" Isabella asked, her eyes searching his.
"With my life. He’s an old friend, and he owes me. We’ll be okay," Adrian assured her.
The following days passed in a blur of cautious optimism. They took turns keeping watch, always alert for any signs of trouble. Adrian’s contact, a man named Marcus, arrived on the third day with the new documents and a plan for their future.
"Adrian, Isabella, it’s good to see you both," Marcus greeted them warmly. "I’ve got everything you need right here."
"Thank you, Marcus. We owe you," Adrian said, shaking his friend’s hand.
"Just be careful. The families are still looking for you. But I’ve set up a safe place for you in a small town. You should be able to start fresh there," Marcus explained.
Isabella looked at the documents Marcus handed her. "New names, new lives. It feels strange."
"It’s a fresh start," Marcus said. "A chance to build a life together without looking over your shoulders."
Adrian nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "We’ll make it work. Thank you, Marcus."
As they drove to their new home, Adrian and Isabella felt a sense of hope they hadn’t experienced in a long time. The road ahead was still uncertain, but they faced it together, stronger for the trials they had endured. They arrived in the small town, a picturesque place nestled among rolling hills and forests.
Their new home was a modest house on the outskirts of town, offering the privacy they needed to start their new life. As they settled in, they began to dream of a future free from fear, where they could finally be at peace.
"I love this place," Isabella said, looking out at the beautiful scenery from their front porch.
"Me too," Adrian agreed. "It’s perfect for us."
"We’ve come so far, Adrian. I can hardly believe it," Isabella said, leaning into his embrace.
"We have, and we’ll keep going. Together," Adrian replied, kissing her forehead.
Their journey was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, they felt a sense of stability. They had each other, and that was enough. As they looked out at their new home, they knew they could face whatever the future held, as long as they were side by side.
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