The price of comfort

Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Memories of Freedom

Della sat on the edge of her bed, staring out the window at the meticulously manicured gardens below. Her mind drifted back to a happier time, to the first night they arrived in Reblen. It felt like a lifetime ago, but the memories were vivid, a stark contrast to the grim reality she faced now.

---

The plane touched down in Reblen, and a collective cheer rose from the group of friends. They were finally here, ready to celebrate their graduation with the trip of a lifetime. As they disembarked, the excitement was palpable.

Rory stretched his arms above his head. "If all we do is eat on this trip, I will be more than satisfied," he declared with a grin.

Eden laughed and shook her head. "Trust me, we have plenty of food adventures planned, but there's so much more to see."

They navigated through the bustling airport, joking and teasing each other. As they headed towards the exit, Evie nudged Della. "Can you believe Mara almost made us miss the flight because she couldn't find her flat iron?"

Della laughed, shaking her head. "I know! We were all ready to go, and she's frantically searching through her suitcase."

Mara blushed, defending herself. "Hey, a girl needs her flat iron! You never know when a bad hair day might strike."

The group erupted into laughter, their voices echoing through the terminal. Gemma and Ada linked arms, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I can't believe we're done with college," Gemma said, her voice tinged with awe. "We're in the real world now, as adults. Nothing can stop us."

Ada nodded, her smile wide. "Absolutely! We did it, and now it's time to enjoy life."

As they stepped outside, Eden turned to the group, her expression serious for a moment. "Remember, guys, it's important to always have your passport on you. We don't want any mishaps."

Evie rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, Mother Hen. We'll keep them close."

Eden chuckled, giving Evie a playful shove. "I'm just looking out for all of us."

That night, they went to a beautiful restaurant that Eden had picked out. The place was a charming mix of old-world elegance and modern sophistication, with candlelit tables and a menu that promised culinary delights.

They settled into their seats, the anticipation of the meal adding to the festive atmosphere. Rory scanned the menu, his eyes wide. "I'm going to need one of everything."

Eden laughed. "Just pace yourself, Rory. We have plenty of time to try everything."

As they waited for their food, they reminisced about their college days and talked about their plans for the trip.

"I want to see that famous cathedral," Ada said, her eyes lighting up. "The architecture is supposed to be stunning."

Gemma nodded enthusiastically. "And the art museums! I've heard they have some incredible collections."

Rory leaned back in his chair, a contented smile on his face. "As long as we have good food, I'm happy."

Della smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and camaraderie. "I can't wait to explore the countryside. I've heard the landscapes here are breathtaking."

Mara, sipping her wine, added, "And we have to check out the local markets. I want to find some unique souvenirs."

Their food arrived, and the table fell silent for a moment as they took in the delicious aromas. The first bites were met with murmurs of approval and delight.

"This is amazing," Evie said, savoring a bite of her dish. "Eden, you did good."

Eden smiled, pleased. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted our first night to be special."

As the meal went on, the conversation flowed easily. They joked about the turbulence on the plane and how Rory had clutched his seat, eyes wide with fear.

"I thought we were going down for sure," Rory said, shaking his head. "I'm not built for flying."

Evie laughed. "You should have seen your face! I think the flight attendant thought you were going to have a heart attack."

Rory rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Laugh it up, guys. I'll be the one laughing when we're eating our way through Reblen."

As dessert was served, the conversation turned to their futures.

"I can't believe we're really done with college," Gemma said, her voice soft with wonder. "It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen, trying to figure out where our classes were."

Ada nodded. "Yeah, and now we're here, ready to take on the world. It's kind of scary, but exciting too."

Eden raised her glass, a look of determination in her eyes. "To the future. May it be filled with adventure, success, and friendship."

They clinked glasses, the sound ringing with hope and promise. Della felt a pang of longing as she remembered that moment. It had been so perfect, so full of joy and possibility. Now, everything had changed.

---

Back in her apartment, Della sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of the present. She missed her friends desperately. She wondered where they were, if they were safe, and if they were trying to get her out of this nightmare. She couldn't help but wonder if Evie did get out.

She stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the gardens. The beauty outside seemed like a cruel joke compared to the horrors she had witnessed. She felt a tear slide down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away.

The memories of that first night in Reblen were bittersweet. They reminded her of the freedom and happiness she had once known, but they also fueled her determination to survive and find a way back to that life.

She had to believe that her friends were out there, doing everything they could to help her. She had to hold on to hope, even when it seemed impossible.

---

The night air was cool and fragrant as the group walked back to their hotel after dinner. They strolled through the streets, the city alive with lights and sounds.

Rory pointed to a small café. "Let's grab a coffee. I don't want this night to end yet."

They found a cozy corner in the café, settling into the plush chairs. Evie and Della shared a look, both remembering Mara's frantic search for her flat iron earlier that day.

"Can you believe we almost missed our flight because of a flat iron?" Della teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Mara groaned. "Okay, okay, I'll admit it was a bit of a panic. But you know how my hair gets without it!"

Evie laughed. "It's a good thing we all made it. I think Eden would have lost her mind if we missed the flight."

Eden shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "Hey, I'm just glad we made it here in one piece. And don't forget to keep those passports close!"

Evie shook her head, grinning. "You really are the mother hen of this group, Eden."

They spent the next hour sipping coffee and sharing stories, the bond between them growing stronger with every laugh and shared memory. The world seemed full of promise, and they felt invincible, ready to take on whatever adventures awaited them.

As they finally made their way back to the hotel, the city lights casting a warm glow on their faces, Della felt a sense of contentment. She looked at her friends, each one a vital part of her life, and knew that no matter what happened, they would always be there for each other.

---

Della snapped back to the present, the memories fading as reality settled in once more. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had to hold on to those memories, to the love and support of her friends. They were her lifeline, her connection to a world beyond this nightmare.

She walked over to the small desk in her apartment and pulled out a notebook. She began to write, pouring her heart onto the pages. She wrote about that first night in Reblen, the laughter, the joy, and the hope. She wrote about her friends, their dreams, and their promises to each other.

As she wrote, she felt a sense of purpose. She had to survive, not just for herself, but for them. She had to believe that they were out there, fighting for her, just as she was fighting to stay strong for them.

The memories of that first night were a beacon of hope in the darkness. They reminded her of what she was fighting for, and they gave her the strength to keep going. No matter how difficult the road ahead, she knew she had to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

The night deepened, and Della continued to write, her heart and mind focused on the promise of freedom and the love of her friends. She was determined to hold on to that hope, no matter what.