After a long, grueling four-hour stretch, the bus finally groaned to a halt at a gas station. Robert suggested they step out for some fresh air, and as luck would have it, Hanna needed to use the restroom.

  Throughout their stop, Robert was the portrait of attentiveness. While Hanna was inside, he stood tall by the door, keeping watch like a loyal bodyguard. They remained inseparable as they headed into the convenience store to restock their supply of snacks and sodas, completely unaware that their every move was being tracked by two pairs of sharp, feminine eyes from a distance.

  Hanna’s face looked much brighter now. Robert’s presence was like a balm for her anxiety; he always seemed to have a quip ready that could coax a laugh out of her.

  "Why are you buying so much, Robb?" Hanna asked, her eyes wide. Her backpack was now brimming with an assortment of chips, bread, and sodas—all bought by Robert specifically for her.

  "We’ve still got a long way to go, Hanna. The bus won't be stopping again after this. Even if you don't finish it all, you can keep it as supplies for later," Robert replied with a grin.

  "How much longer until we arrive?"

  "About five hours."

  "That’s still a long time," Hanna sighed softly as they walked side-by-side back toward the waiting bus.

  "Those five hours won't feel long at all if you sleep. Time flies when you're out cold," Robert promised, trying to soothe her.

  "But I’m not sleepy yet," Hanna countered, her eyes wandering over the night scene of the station before they climbed back up the steps.

  An hour slipped by.

  Hanna was now deep in the throes of sleep, her head tilted comfortably against Robert’s shoulder, exhausted from hours of talking and snacking. Robert wasn't much different; his soft snores harmonized with Hanna’s quiet breathing, filling the silent space in the back of the bus.

  Most of the other passengers had also drifted into a heavy slumber. Only the low thrum of the engine remained, slicing through the stillness of the long highway as the darkness of night was slowly nudged aside by the first golden peeks of morning light on the eastern horizon.

  "Hanna..."

  "Hanna, wake up..." Robert tapped her shoulder gently, coaxing her back from the world of dreams.

  Slowly, Hanna opened her eyes. With a slightly puffy face and a disoriented gaze, she looked at Robert, her brow furrowed.

  "Look over there," Robert said, pointing toward the window.

  Hanna lifted her head from his shoulder and turned to the glass. Her eyes, heavy only moments ago, suddenly flew wide. Before her, rows of skyscrapers towered majestically, their peaks seemingly piercing the sky, which was now bathed in the golden hues of the morning sun.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Where are we, Robert?" Hanna asked, her voice thick with awe.

  "We’ll be there in just a moment."

  "It’s so beautiful... I’ve never seen so many buildings, or ones so high," she whispered, hardly believing the sight laid out before her.

  Robert simply offered a thin smile, sharing in her excitement.

  Their bus was now gliding grandly across the George Washington Bridge. Below, the Hudson River shimmered, reflecting the morning's golden light. From that height, the Manhattan skyline stood resolute, like a fortress of giant stone walls welcoming their arrival.

  The engine’s roar faded to a hum as the bus turned into a vast concrete structure. The morning light that had flooded the windows was replaced by the dim white glow of the cold terminal ceiling.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve arrived in New York. Please check your belongings before exiting the bus."

  The driver’s voice crackled through the speakers, snapping the quiet atmosphere of the bus.

  "Come on, Hanna, let’s get out first," Robert said, pushing himself up from his seat. Hanna followed without a word, leaving behind the other passengers who were still groggily gathering their things.

  The bus came to a full stop with a small jolt. The hiss of the air brakes echoed—a long, weary sigh from the iron machine after traveling hundreds of miles from Pittsburgh.

  Hanna swallowed hard. The pounding in her chest returned, more intense and suffocating than it had been when she first stepped onto the bus the night before.

  "Let's go, Hanna."

  Hanna gave a small nod, clutching her bag tight against her shoulder. She trailed behind Robert toward the doors. They were the very first passengers to set foot on the cold, concrete floor of the terminal.

  "Welcome to the Big Apple, Hanna. Don’t let me out of your sight," Robert warned, his tone turning serious amidst the terminal’s rising din.

  Hanna smiled widely, her excitement momentarily eclipsing her fear. At that moment, her sharp sense of smell picked up the terminal’s unique bouquet—a mixture of stinging exhaust fumes and the faint aroma of cheap coffee drifting from a nearby stall.

  Outside the bus bay, a sea of people moved relentlessly like a surging river. Everyone had a destination; everyone wore a cold, indifferent expression, completely ignoring the two teenagers who had just arrived.

  "Don't take this the wrong way, Hanna. I have to hold your hand. I'm worried we'll get separated," Robert said hesitantly, his face flushing slightly.

  But Hanna didn't protest. Instead, she squeezed Robert’s palm firmly—a silent answer that she trusted him completely. Robert smiled with relief. Without wasting another second, he began to walk briskly, leading Hanna through the throng and deeper into the station building.

  Meanwhile, inside the nearly empty bus, one of the two mysterious women jolted awake. When she saw the passengers standing to leave, her face went deathly pale. She whipped around, frantically searching the back seats for Robert and Hanna.

  Empty.

  "Fuck!" she screamed, startling several nearby passengers. She grabbed her companion’s shoulder and shook her violently.

  "What?" her friend asked, still dazed, trying to gather her wits.

  "The girl and the fat kid are out!"

  "What!" Her friend scrambled to look back, and as the realization hit that the seats were vacant, her eyes bulged.

  "Quick! We have to find them now!"

  "Fuck! How did we both fall asleep?" the first one growled in fury.

  They scrambled up, shoving and squeezing through the other passengers who were preparing to disembark. They ignored the groans and sharp glares from the people they pushed aside.

  "I’m sorry, I’m sorry!" the woman in front said dismissively, still shouldering her way through until they managed to leap off the bus.

  "Where did they go?"

  Her companion scanned the vast terminal, raking her fingers through her messy hair, desperately searching for a backpack or Robert’s silhouette.

  "We head to the main exit. They’ll have to go that way."

  "Okay. Let's go!"