chapter 22: the second world

She saw a young Julie, living happily with her parents in a warm, loving household. The early years of her life were filled with laughter, bedtime stories, and the unconditional love of her mother and father. However, this idyllic childhood was brutally shattered when Julie was kidnapped at the tender age of three. The memory of that fateful day, though blurry in detail, was etched in Julie's subconscious—the confusion, the fear, and the sense of being torn away from everything familiar.

Julie's fortunes took a turn for the better when she was rescued by a kind-hearted lady who found her wandering alone and scared. This woman, who Julie came to know as her savior and guardian, took her in and provided a safe, nurturing environment. The bond between them grew strong, and for the next eleven years, Julie experienced a semblance of normalcy and happiness.

But this peace was cruelly disrupted on her fourteenth birthday. While crossing a street, the lady was struck by a car, the horrific scene unfolding right in front of Julie's eyes. The driver, a girl about Julie's age, didn't stop to help. Instead, she coldly tossed money at them before speeding away. The lady, who had been a mother figure to Julie, succumbed to her injuries, leaving Julie alone once more. The prospect of being sent to an orphanage loomed over her, but fate intervened in an unexpected way—her biological parents, through some twist of luck or persistence, found her and brought her back home.

The reunion that should have been filled with joy and relief quickly turned into a nightmare. Julie discovered that the girl responsible for the hit-and-run was Jamie, her parents' adopted daughter. The shock and betrayal Julie felt were compounded when she confronted Jamie, who deftly manipulated the situation. Jamie's tears and denials convinced their parents that Julie was mistaken or lying. Promises to investigate the matter seemed hollow when they rebuked Julie for slapping Jamie, emphasizing that it was wrong to hit her sister, regardless of the circumstances.

From that moment on, Julie's life took a downward spiral. Jamie, sensing the threat Julie posed to her position in the family, systematically destroyed any evidence of her crime and worked tirelessly to discredit Julie. She spread rumors and lies at school, painting Julie as a troublemaker and a liar. Julie found herself isolated, the target of suspicion and gossip, and her reputation was in tatters. The solace of her room and the quiet corners of the school library became her only refuge.

On her sixteenth birthday, which also marked the anniversary of the lady's death, Julie sought solitude under her bed, trying to hide from the world's cruelties. It was there that she overheard Jamie on the phone, speaking about her plans and destroying Julie's birthday gift. The truth was chilling—Jamie had always known about Julie's true identity and had been plotting to eliminate her to solidify her own place in the family. In a confrontation that escalated quickly, Jamie's façade cracked, and in a fit of rage, she stabbed Julie, declaring that if she couldn't destroy Julie's reputation, she would end her life.

The grim movie of Julie's life concluded, leaving Alexa overwhelmed by the cascade of emotions and memories she had just witnessed. The pain, betrayal, and hopelessness Julie endured were almost too much to bear, yet they fueled Alexa's determination to help. Julie's tragic story had shifted Alexa's focus from her own failures to the urgent task of securing justice for Julie and restoring her rightful place in her family.

Everything went black before Alexa's eyes, and when she regained her senses, she found herself sitting in a car. The slight discomfort she felt was a relief, considering the emotional turmoil she had just experienced.

Curious about the time and place, she mentally addressed Blackie, "Blackie, what time in Julie's life is this?"

[My dear host, today is the day Julie meets her biological parents. Currently, you are on your way and have 15 minutes to reach, so adjust your state accordingly.]

Alexa took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The anger simmering within her, likely a remnant of Julie's emotions, threatened to overwhelm her. She needed to calm down and think clearly. This moment, meeting Jamie, was pivotal, and Alexa had to be prepared.

Determined to collect her thoughts and emotions, she asked the driver to stop the car near a park she spotted ahead. Once the car stopped, Alexa got out and walked slowly into the park. It was a weekday morning, and the park was relatively empty, providing a tranquil environment for reflection. She walked until she reached a serene lake, its calm surface reflecting the sky.

Alexa gazed at her reflection in the water before sitting on a nearby bench. She began to think deeply about the challenges she was about to face and how she could fulfill Julie's wish. Julie wanted her parents to see Jamie's true nature, and for that, Alexa needed a well-thought-out plan.

She considered the significant events in Julie's life, noting that most of her time was marred by Jamie's relentless scheming. Julie's retreat into solitude at home and the school library was a testament to her attempts to escape the constant scrutiny and suspicion. However, today was the turning point—the day that marked the beginning of Julie's reunion with her biological parents and the start of her new ordeal.

Slowly, a strategy began to take shape in Alexa's mind. She would need to be patient, observant, and strategic. After a while, feeling more composed, she returned to the car. The driver resumed the journey without comment, and fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Julie's home—or, as Alexa had to think of it now, her home.

She took a deep breath, bracing herself, and stepped inside, ready to face the challenges ahead and determined to change the course of Julie's tragic story.