She called the proprietress, expressing her apologies. "I can't return to Warsew. Thank you for everything though."

The proprietress could only respond with a sigh.

After the call, Melissa removed her phone card, replacing it with a new one not linked to her identity.

In Heron's early morning, the bus stop was sparsely populated.

Stepping off the bus with her luggage, Melissa moved slowly, the morning light casting a glow on her as she blended into the crowd...