Gabrielle and Lance returned to the white house arranged by Rose for them to live. Along the way, they saw people walking back and forth holding guns in their hands, like they were on patrol. Even so, they completely ignored both Gabrielle and Lance.
It wasn't an oversight. The guards didn't find the need to check the pair because the only people who were allowed to enter the village were those Bain trusted.
At first, they were curious about Gabrielle and Lance, but it only took them a few minutes to adjust to the presence of the two.
"Lance, they're not doing anything. Does that mean these village people already trust us? Don't they consider us as outsiders anymore?" Gabrielle asked curiously, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.
Bain already checked their backgrounds and found out that they were clean and hadn't committed any crime. That went without saying that they didn't fit in with the rest of the residents of this village.
"Well, it's not a matter of being outsiders or not. In their eyes, strangers are classified into two groups—people who are recognized and trusted by Bain, and those he did not. We belong to the former—same as them. Besides, the people here have seen and experienced a lot, and they can adjust pretty quickly. No one will really make a fuss about strangers, so you can rest easy. Okay? Go to bed early. Don't think too much about it. Have a good sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." Lance sent her to her room, closed the door for her, and left.
Gabrielle carefully locked the door from inside, satisfied with the click she heard. She sat on the bed and stared at her phone long and hard. After some consideration, she breathed deeply and turned it on. She couldn't do it anymore—not contact Westley or at least let him know she was fine.
But luck wasn't on her side. There was no signal at all. She stood up, walked around the room, and raised her arm in a futile attempt to get even just one bar.
A few minutes later, she realized that the signal was blocked. They weren't allowed to communicate with the outside world.
Gabrielle tapped her phone on her forehead. She couldn't get in touch with Westley. He might be worried sick by now.
She threw her phone on the bed and lay down with one arm over her eyes. Right now, her phone was just like a piece of scrap metal.
It was completely useless!
Gabrielle felt her rising frustration. She was so upset! Bryce's injury was far more serious than what she initially thought. He was still in a coma, and she didn't know when he would wake up.
Now that there was no way to contact Westley, Gabrielle got scared. She knew it was pointless to wallow in regret because she already reached this point, but she couldn't help but panic. She tamped it down with slow breaths.
There was nothing she could do except pray that she would remain safe and sound.
She didn't want to dwell on the fact that she could neither call nor text Westley, so she stood up and grabbed a set of clothes next to her. She then headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
She had a rough check of this place and found that it had everything she basically needed. She was actually surprised to learn that.
She felt cleaner and more refreshed after. But as she lay back down on the bed, she found that she couldn't fall asleep.
Gabrielle took out her phone and swiped the photos she had taken before. Although Westley seldom appeared in the pictures, she still naturally thought of him whenever she came across images taken at places where they went together.
Her mind went back to what happened in the past few months—all those moments and memories with Westley. She recalled them one by one, as if each memory was something she didn't want to let go of.
"Westley, I really regret coming here on impulse.
I hope you won't be angry, and I hope I can still go back safely. When I get home to you, I'm willing to accept whatever punishment you will impose on me. I promise," she muttered to herself, tears gathering in her eyes.
She clutched her phone tightly until she fell asleep.
When she heard a knock on the door, Gabrielle jolted awake and opened her eyes. It was already past nine o'clock.
She had slept for three or four hours, but she felt exhausted and uncomfortable. She thought that it might only be because she didn't sleep well.
"Gabrielle, are you awake?" It was Lance's voice outside. Gabrielle rubbed the sleep from her eyes and got up groggily.
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