Solved Murders - True Crime Stories - Air So Harsh, Spirits So Low—Ela and Tanya Decide to Escape El Paso for Phoenix PART5 #5

Episode Date: August 29, 2025

#horrorstories #reddithorrorstories #ScaryStories #creepypasta #horrortales #ElPasoEscape #PhoenixBound #EmotionalJourney #Resilience #NewBeginnings  Ela and Tanya find themselves overwhelmed by the harsh atmosphere and low spirits in El Paso. Faced with mounting tension and emotional exhaustion, they make the difficult decision to leave and seek refuge in Phoenix. This part explores themes of escape, resilience, and the search for hope amidst adversity.  horrorstories, reddithorrorstories, scarystories, horrorstory, creepypasta, horrortales, ElPaso, Phoenix, escape, resilience, emotionaljourney, lowspirits, harshair, newbeginnings, friendship, survival, movingon, adventure, decision, hope

Ella and Tanya stood there on the cracked sidewalk, trying not to breathe too deeply as they waited for the Brio bus. The air in El Paso was doing them no favors, dry, heavy, and spiced with dust that seemed determined to claw at their lungs. Tanya tried to be optimistic, brushing her hair back from her face as she stared off at the silent streetcar they'd hoped to ride. It sat motionless on the tracks like some lifeless ornament, its windows reflecting a grayish sky. Well, that's, charming, Tanya muttered, her British accent softening the bite of her words. Ella didn't even bother answering. Breathing felt like work. Her chest burned with every inhale, and each exhale rattled out of her like a dying engine.

A dry cough clawed its way up her throat. She turned her head, trying not to make Tanya feel guilty for dragging her out today, but she couldn't hold back the sneezes. One after another, they ripped through her, loud and desperate, leaving small, embarrassing flex of spit on her shirt. God, I hate this air, Ella rasped, pulling her hoodie tighter around her thin frame. Her eyes watered uncontrollably, and her nose felt raw from constant wiping. Tanya reached over and rubbed her shoulder gently.

You're going to be okay. It's just, the climate here. The desert isn't for everyone, right? she said, forcing a bright tone even though her own throat itched and burned. Her lungs felt tight, but not nearly as bad as Ellis. Tanya had stronger lungs, maybe from growing up near the chilly damp of England. But she wasn't immune to this place either. There was something harsh about the air, something unkind about it, like the whole city didn't want them there.

The Brio bus rounded the corner at last. Tanya sighed with relief, but the feeling didn't last. As the bus pulled up, the driver leaned out of his window and yelled, front door. You two think you're riding for free. His voice boomed across the empty street, sharp and accusing. Both women froze. Oh, sorry, so sorry. Tanya squeaked, hurrying toward the front with Ella in tow.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She held up their bus cards to scan, her hands trembling slightly. inside the bus, the stairs came immediately. A handful of passengers, all locals by the look of them, watched the two women with narrowed eyes. One man, older with a graying mustache, let out a chuckle and said just loud enough for them to hear, don't you know better than to try and hop on the bus for free? Ella felt her face go hot. Her chest tightened, not just from the air but from the heavy shame sinking into her bones.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, before she could stop it. Tanya noticed and immediately wrapped her arm around Ella's shoulders in a protective hug. Don't listen to them, she whispered fiercely in her ear. This place isn't worth it. Ella sniffled and nodded, trying to bury her face in Tanya's jacket. As the bus rumbled downtown, Tanya whispered, maybe we should just cut this trip short. Try Phoenix. Or Dallas. Anywhere else, the idea of escape felt like a sudden, sweet breath of relief. When they stepped off the bus in downtown El Paso, they both hoped the change of scenery would make things better. It didn't. The buildings were old, worn down, like they were giving up

on life. The streets felt strangely empty for midday, and the air smelled faintly of something rotten mixed with car exhaust. Wow, lovely, Tanya said under her breath, her voice thick, with sarcasm. Ella tried to laugh but ended up coughing so hard her whole body shook. Tanya rubbed her back gently, worry creasing her brow. Do you want to go back? Tanya asked. No, Ella croaked stubbornly, though her voice sounded like sandpaper. We're already here. Let's just, see something, so they wandered. They visited a few hotels downtown, riding elevators just to have something to do. Ella leaned against the wall in every elevator, her breathing shallow, but she still managed a smile for Tanya whenever she snapped pictures.

At San Jacinto Plaza, they posed in front of the famous alligator statue. Ella's smile in the photo was weak, her eyes glassy from the effort it took just to stand still and not cough. Tanya handed her a cho from a food cart, the scent of cinnamon and fried dough momentarily lifting Ella's spirits. This is the only good thing about today, Ella said with a weak laugh, biting into the sugary treat. The ride back to Utep was uneventful but heavy with unspoken frustration.

Tanya called Rosa, their Airbnb host, asking her to pick them up at the university. By the time Rosa arrived in her old blue van, Ella was wheezing audibly. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and Tanya's panic grew with every passing second. We need to stop at a Walgreens, Tanya told Rosa firmly as soon as they got in. She needs an inhaler. Now, Rosa nodded, her brow furrowed with concern and turned on to wrestler drive. At Walgreens, they headed straight to the pharmacy counter. Behind them, a woman was yelling at a clerk about a missing prescription, her voice high-pitched

and full of venom. C. Ella whispered hoarsely to Tanya. More rudeness. It's everywhere here, Tanya didn't disagree. Finally, they got the inhaler. Tanya helped Ella take a puff as soon as they stepped outside. Slowly, Ella's breathing eased.

Back at Rosa's house, the smell of red enchiladas and Spanish rice greeted them like a warm hug. Rosa's family was gathered around the table, laughing and chatting in Spanish. Come on, let's eat, Rosa said kindly, ushering them to the table. The meal was comforting, and for the first time all day, Ella seemed to relax. After dinner, they sank into the couch in the living room. Rosa's kids played a noisy game on the floor while Tanya and Ella sat quietly, lost in thought. This city, Tanya began slowly, her voice quiet so only Ella could hear, it's just so small. And the people are, God, they're so rude.

I don't know if we can stay much longer. Rosa overheard and walked over, drying her hands on a dish towel. El Paso is, hard, she admitted with a small sigh. A lot of people are rude here. I'm only here because my husband's job pays well. She looked down at Ella, concerned softening her expression. You're really struggling with the air, aren't you? Ella nodded weekly. I'll give you some of my respiratory medicine. And if you want to leave early, I'll refund the rest of your stay, Rosa, offered gently. Do you think Phoenix would be better? Tanya asked hopefully. Yes, Rosa said without hesitation. Phoenix people are much nicer. Even Dallas. Dallas has some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. That night, in the shared bedroom, Tanya sat on her bed scrolling through flights while Ella lay on her side, staring at the wall. Her breathing was steadier now thanks to the inhaler, but her body felt heavy with exhaustion. Maybe Phoenix really would be better, Ella whispered. Or Dallas, Tanya said softly. Anywhere but here, Ella didn't answer. She closed her

eyes and imagined clean air filling her lungs, imagined people smiling instead of scowling, imagined a city that felt like it wanted them there instead of one that seemed to spit them out. Let's decide tomorrow, Tanya said. But I don't think I can handle more of this. place either. And for the first time since they'd arrived, they both felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this trip wasn't doomed after all. Maybe they could find a place that didn't burn their lungs or their spirits. Ella lay in bed that night staring at the textured ceiling, the faint glow of the lamp casting strange shadows across the room. Her chest felt heavy, and every breath seemed like dragging air through a clogged straw. She hated this feeling, hated how weak her body was making her feel

in an already unwelcoming city. Tanya, curled up on the other side of the bed scrolling on her phone, glanced over and noticed the tightness in Ella's expression. You're doing that thing again, Tanya said softly, her accent giving her words a gentle lilt. Ella frowned. What thing? That thing where you try to act fine when you're clearly dying inside.

Ella chuckled dryly, which immediately led to a coughing fit that made Tanya drop her phone and sit up. C. That's exactly what I mean. Okay, fine. I hate it here, Ella admitted, her voice raspy. Every breath feels like sandpaper, and everyone's so, so mean. Why are they all so angry?

Tanya sighed and flopped onto her back. I don't know. Maybe the airs made them all cranky. Or maybe it's just this city. Dallas wasn't like this, even though everyone warned us Texans were rude. Honestly, people there were chill, Ella snorted and polite, even to someone sneezing their lungs out. Exactly, Tanya said with a smirk. They fell into silence for a moment before Ella whispered, Do you think Rosa really meant it when she offered us a refund? Tanya turned her head to look at her friend.

Of course she did. She's the only decent human we've met here so far. Maybe she feels sorry for us. I wouldn't blame her, Ella muttered. The next morning, Rosa knocked gently before peeking into their room. Girls, I'm heading to the store. Do you need anything? Just oxygen and new lungs, Ella joked weekly. Rosa's brow furrowed with concern. Meja, you really don't look good. Are you sure you want to stay here longer?

We're still deciding, Tanya said carefully. But you're probably right, we're just dragging it out because we don't want to admit defeat. Rosa smiled sadly. It's not defeat to leave a place that doesn't suit you. When she left, Tanya turned to Ella with a mischievous grin. You know what would make you feel better? Ella raised an eyebrow. Don't say churros. Churros N. Target. Let's hit the target on Mesa Street. Retail therapy works wonders. Ella groaned but sat up. Fine. But if I collapse in the candle aisle, you're dragging my corpse out, not leaving me there to haunt the dollar section. The Uber driver who picked them up was surprisingly cheerful, blasting 90s pop music and chatting

about his daughter's school play. Ella and Tanya exchanged surprised glances. Finally, someone nice, Tanya whispered. Don't jinx it, Ella hissed back. But the driver stayed pleasant all the way to Target, wishing them a great day as they got out. Ella inhaled deeply as they walked in, the familiar smell of Starbucks coffee and plastic packaging oddly comforting. See? This is our safe space, Tanya said, grabbing a cart. Now let's buy things we don't need. They spent an hour wandering the aisles, giggling over tacky seasonal decorations and debating which face masks to try later. For a brief moment, it felt like they were back home. Ella almost forgot about her burning lungs, almost.

Later, at the checkout, the cashier frowned at Ella's stack of tissues and cough drops. Allergies, she asked. More like a war between my lungs and the air outside, Ella replied. The cashier's face softened. Yeah, the air quality's been awful lately. I grew up here, and even I struggle sometimes. You're not from here, are you? Just visiting, Tanya said.

Smart. Don't stay too long, the cashier warned with a knowing look. Back at Rosa's house, they found her husband Carlos watching a soccer game. He greeted them politely, though his eyes stayed glued to the TV. Rosa came out of the kitchen wiping her hands. So, girls, have you decided, she asked. Tanya glanced at Ella, who gave a small nod. We think we're going to leave early.

Maybe tomorrow, Rosa's shoulders relaxed. I think that's a good choice. Where will you go? Phoenix, probably, Tanya said. Unless we decide on Dallas last minute. Both are better, Rosa said firmly. Phoenix is beautiful. People are kinder. And the air isn't so heavy.

You'll like it there. That night, Ella struggled to sleep. Thoughts swirled in her mind, about the rude bus driver, the smug stairs, the librarian who treated them like nuisances. Was it really the city, or were they just unlucky? She turned over to see Tanya wide awake too, scrolling on her phone. Couldn't sleep. Ella whispered, nope. Looking up flights to Phoenix, Tanya said. Found one leaving tomorrow afternoon. One a book it, Ella hesitated. then nodded. Let's do it. Tanya grinned. Done. By, El Paso, the next morning felt lighter, even though nothing had changed yet. Rosa hugged them goodbye and pressed a small bottle of herbal

cough syrup into Ella's hands. For the road, Rosa said warmly. And remember, you're not the only ones who don't like it here. You're just brave enough to leave. At the airport, as they waited for their flight, Ella felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. Relief to be leaving the city that had made her miserable, but sadness that their little adventure hadn't turned out the way they hoped. Do you think Phoenix will be better, she asked Tanya. Tanya smirked. It has to be. The bar's pretty low right now. Ella laughed, and for the first time in days, it didn't turn into a coughing fit. Maybe that was a good omen. As their plane taxied down the runway, Tanya reached over and squeezed Ella's hand.

Next stop, Phoenix. Let's hope they have churros too. Ella smiled weekly. If they don't, we're going straight to Dallas. To be continued.