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I answered, and her familiar face appeared.
She wore the same jacket from departure day, its collar caked with dirt.
Her chin had a scabbed scrape, and her face, freshly washed, glistened with water.
Dark circles under her eyes suggested sleepless nights, and she looked thinner, pale.
The video background was blurred by a filter, hiding her surroundings.
"Where are you? Can you show me the hostel? I need to know if I want to go."
Sarah hesitated but quickly recovered."Oh, I'm sharing with someone now, so I can't film—it's their space too."
"The first day, the hostel was full, but a girl wanted to stay, so we roomed together."
I didn't buy it." You still didn't explain why there's no photos of you."
She laughed." Of course not! It's a niche spot, barely any visitors, no one to take my picture, so I just shot the scenery."
"Since we're on it, Jessica, help me out. Come, and you can take my photos, and I'll take yours."
"The owner's covering tickets and meals. It's basically free! Such a steal."
If it was so great, why did she look so rough?
"Really free?" I feigned curiosity, tempted by the price." If it's free, I'm kinda interested."
Sarah patted her chest."Totally free! The owner even refunded my ticket. Said we clicked, like friends, and my friends are his too—you won't pay a cent."
"Awesome, I'm in!"I acted thrilled."How do I get there? Fly?"
She shook her head."No need to buy. Take a bus, and someone'll pick you up.I'll send the meeting spot."
"Great!"I agreed eagerly."You're the best, Sarah, finding such a gem."
Her smile was wide, but something about it felt warped."Hurry, leave tomorrow.I'll wait for you."
She ended the call.
I was certain—Sarah was in danger and trying to drag me into it.
She sent the meeting location, and my phone rang again—the police.
"Jessica, we have a lead. Come to the station."
I arrived breathless.
"Officer, I just got a video call from Sarah. I recorded it—here's the file."
I handed over my phone, then looked at the webpage they showed me.
"Is this the app Sarah used?"
I studied it and nodded.
"It took us ages to download it. We found a link in a deal-hunting post."
"You had to click through a shady site, download multiple files, and jump hoops to log in. No idea how Sarah found this app."
I sighed."She's obsessed with saving money."
"The app's unstable, only refreshing deals every few days, but the discounts are huge, matching what you described."
"But we checked—these hostels aren't registered on legit platforms, have no business licenses, and are fake."
"The ticket page is fake too. We tested it—no real flights. City surveillance shows Sarah entered the airport and vanished, never boarding."
"So we're almost certain Sarah's been trafficked."
The police's conclusion matched my suspicions.
"We're closing in on their base, and your location pin helps a lot. Thanks for cooperating."
The officer patted my shoulder."You've been so helpful, but Sarah trying to lure you is just…"
He trailed off, sighing." If you're willing, we could use your help, with full safety measures. If not, that's okay."
I knew they wanted me as bait to meet the traffickers.
Did I hate Sarah?
Yeah, I did. In her life, her actions led to my death, repaying my kindness with betrayal.
But before I blacked out, I saw her panicked eyes, reaching to grab me.
She didn't mean to kill me.
This life, I didn't stop her, and she's suffering for her choices. Luring me now, she's likely under threat, prioritizing her survival.
Did I hate her enough to let her be trafficked to a remote village, her life ruined?
I could punish her myself, but not by letting traffickers turn a college girl, who clawed her way out of poverty, into a breeding tool.
More importantly, if we didn't stop these traffickers, they'd ruin more families.
"Jessica, if you're not comfortable..."
The police saw my hesitation, but I nodded.
"I'll do it."
My voice grew firm." I'll cooperate. Please catch these criminals."
Before the sting, the police coordinated with nearby cities.
I learned this trafficking ring had used the same tactic to abduct several students across the region.
With clues aligned, multiple police forces united for the bust.
Approaching the bus, my heart raced, but I steadied myself.
"Here? Let me take your bag." The driver greeted him warmly.
I smiled."Thanks!"
On the bus, I saw several students, chattering excitedly.
"Hey, you traveling too? We all won free trip lotteries—you too?"
My stomach sank." Nah, my friend's tight with the owner, invited me for free."
"We're headed to the same place. Join us!"
They waved me over. Soon after sitting, the bus started, and a faint scent filled the air.
My head spun, and I passed out.
When I woke, I was in a dim shipping container, the other students tied up, unconscious.
I was the first awake, squinting to scan the surroundings, staying still to avoid notice.
Knowing the risk, I breathed lightly on the bus, inhaling less sedative.
"This batch is enough. Load them with the last group."
I overheard nearby voices. The container door opened, footsteps approached, and crying girls were herded in, joining us" new stock." Most stayed silent, sitting near us.
I spotted a familiar jacket—Sarah.
Glancing up, her pupils shrank when she saw me, her brow furrowing.
The container door shut. Guards sat nearby, others patrolled outside.
"How are you so dumb? Didn't you get my hints?"
Sarah whispered, her eyes a mix of scorn, worry, and urgency.
"You were so firm warning me off—knowing the danger, why come?"
Her words shocked me.
I hadn't warned her this life—so Sarah had reborn too?
