Chapter 6 — Waking up from a Dream Before the Border

In the end, it naturally takes away the most important thing from you. Life in the new city is gradually getting back on track. I go to work on time, leave work on time. Go to the supermarket to buy food on the weekend. Occasionally eat with colleagues. I will still compare license plates, check door locks, and not arbitrarily disclose document information. Some people joke and say I'm too careful. I smiled, without explanation. Carefulness once saved my life. I'm not in a position to criticize it as annoying. When winter comes, the company organizes team building on the beach. The sea breeze is very cold. I stood at the end of the wooden bridge, watching each layer of waves push towards the shore, then each layer receded. The phone vibrated once. It's a reminder message to prevent fraud. "Be alert for high-salary recruitment abroad, protect personal information, refuse to pick up and drop off strange cars." I finished reading and turned off the screen. Then open the bag, confirm the ID is still in the compartment inside. Passport at home. Bank card still available. The phone is still there. My life is still there. The sun sets in the distance and sinks into the sea, golden light spreads before our eyes. I suddenly remembered what Ha Loc Loc once said. She said, being taken away by bad guys may not be a disaster, but the beginning of destiny. But in reality, no one is responsible for your illusions. Criminals will not turn into passionate male protagonists because you like reading novels. As soon as the car door closed, the place it led to was not a romantic plot. It's a deep abyss. I use my life to understand this principle. So in this life, I will not let anyone decide for me where to go, who to meet, or what car to get in. My documents can only be delivered by myself. My itinerary can only be arranged by myself. My life can only be my responsibility. As for those things of imprisonment, trade and possession wrapped in the shell of love, let them rot in fictional stories. In reality, the thing that should be the most is never someone coming to save her. It's alertness. Free. And a safe road back home.