"Thank you," I whispered, my throat thick with emotion.
I turned the chair toward the direction he pointed. The terminal wasn't far, and soon I reached, the place was crowded, loud, and alive. I blended into the chaos as best I could, keeping my head down as I paid for a ticket. The clerk barely looked at me, which was a blessing.
When the bus arrived, a kind driver lowered the ramp without asking too many questions. I wheeled in, positioned myself by the window, and tried to steady my breathing.
As the engine rumbled to life, I watched the city begin to move-shops, traffic, and faces blurring past. I let out a shaky sigh and rested my head against the window.
For the first time in years, no one was telling me where to go or what to do. My mind still trapped between fear and disbelief,
