Solved Murders - True Crime Stories - Layover in Kindness A Journey Through Heathrow to Texas and the Warmth of Dallas PART2 #2

Episode Date: August 29, 2025

#horrorstories #reddithorrorstories #ScaryStories #creepypasta #horrortales #travelstories #layoveradventures #Heathrow #DallasWarmth #kindnessjourney  This continuation explores the emotional and physical journey of traveling through Heathrow with unexpected kindness shaping the experience. The story captures the moments of connection, challenges in transit, and the comforting arrival in Dallas. It highlights the warmth of human compassion amid the chaos of travel and the transformative power of small acts of kindness during a long journey.  horrorstories, reddithorrorstories, scarystories, horrorstory, creepypasta, horrortales, travelstories, Heathrow, Dallas, layover, kindness, journey, compassion, airportstories, humanconnection, transit, friendship, adventure, warmth, hope

The short bus ride across the tarmac from their previous flight felt oddly intimate, a brief communion with the giant metal birds before being swallowed by the cavernous maw of London Heathrow's Terminal 5. Ella and Tanya, their carry-ons light against their shoulders, stepped off the bus and into the brisk airport air, quickly making their way indoors. Up the escalators they ascended, the murmur of a thousand languages rising around them like a hum. I'm starving, Tanya announced, as soon as their feet hit the side of the same. solid ground of the departures level. McDonald's.

Ella suggested, a glint in her eye. Tanya readily agreed. They found a McDonald's bustling with travelers from every corner of the globe. Ella ordered a Big Mac, the familiar comfort of it already a promise, while Tanya opted for chicken nuggets. As they ate, the airport's distinct chime echoed through the terminal, followed by the dispassionate voice announcing flight after flight. British Airways Flight BA 279 to San Francisco, Luftanzah Flight LH 901 to Frankfurt.

When the chime rang again and the voice declared, British Airways Flight BA 939 to Phoenix, now boarding at Gate C-10, Ella nudged Tanya. You know, she mused, I really, really want to visit Phoenix one day. Tanya swallowed a nugget. It's only like six hours from El Paso, she pointed out, maybe we could try to go there. Ella smiled, already envisioning arid landscapes and saguaro cacti. After their quick lunch, they decided to stretch their legs, meandering through Terminal 5 for about 30 minutes. They browsed duty-free shops, admired the architecture, and soaked in the sheer scale of the place.

Then, a quick check of their boarding passes brought a sudden realization. Oh, shoot, Ella said, her brow furrowing. We're in Terminal 5. Our next flight is from Terminal 3. Right, Tanya confirmed, pulling up the airport map on her phone. Looks like we need to transfer. Can we take the underground train? Ella asked, her eyes lighting up with the prospect of another adventure. Tanya, Evergame, shrugged. Sure, why not? We've got time. They found the signs for the inter-terminal transfer.

The underground train was sleek and modern, whisking them away through subterranean. Tunnels. Ella, delighted, suggested they ride it a couple of times for fun. Tanya laughed, agreeing to two round trips before they finally decided it was time to actually get to Terminal 3. Okay, Fun's over, Tanya declared, as they exited the train for the last time. Now, bus to Terminal 3. They located the bus stop within Terminal 5, a dedicated bay for inter-terminal transfers. The bus was already waiting, and they boarded, finding seats by the window. The ride was longer than the train, winding through service roads and passed more parked planes, giving them a different perspective of the airport's sprawling complexity.

Finally, they arrived at Terminal 3. Once inside, they followed the prominent signs for all flights to the United States. The path led them through a maze of corridors, passed more shops and restaurants, until they reached the hallowed ground of passport control. The queue moved steadily, and soon enough, an officer was stamping their passports, granting them passage to their next leg. Beyond, the terminal opened up to the gates. Their eyes scanned the destination boards until they spotted it, American Airlines Flight AA 169 to Dallas Fort Worth. And there, through the massive gate windows, sat a majestic Boeing 787 Dreamliner, its sleek lines promising a journey across an ocean. That's ours.

Ella whispered, a mix of excitement and trepidation bubbling up. Boarding began shortly after. They shuffled forward, their boarding passes scanned, and then they were walking down the jet bridge, the anticipation thick in the air. As they stepped onto the plane, the familiar scent of jet fuel and recycled air filled their nostrils. They found their seats, once again, window seats, and settled in. Ella, however, was starting to feel a familiar flutter of anxiety. This was it.

She had never truly left Europe before. This flight was taking her to a whole new continent, a completely different world. A knot formed in her stomach. It'll be okay, Tanya's voice, calm and reassuring, came from behind her. She heard Tanya buckling her seatbelt. Then, the cabin announcements began, the flight attendant's voice. crisp and professional, welcoming them aboard American Airlines Flight 169 to Dallas Fort Worth. Just as the announcements concluded, a man with a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, undeniably Texan,

ambled down the aisle and took his assigned middle seat in their row, the same man that Ella sneezed on accidentally. The plane began to push back from the gate, the ground crew a flurry of activity outside the window. The engines wind to life, a low rumble that vibrated through the floor. The safety video played silently on the seatback screens. Ella watched, trying to distract herself, when suddenly, a double sneeze escaped her. Achoo! Achoo! The guy with the cowboy hat, startled, briefly turned his head.

Bless you, Tanya said softly from behind Ella, as she settled into her own window seat a row back, realizing Ella had a whole row to herself. Ella offered a week, muffled thanks. The plane taxied slowly, then gathered speed down the runway. Ella pressed her face against the window, watching the blur of the ground. The plane lifted, and she saw it, her flat, a tiny dot amongst the sprawling city. Tanya, a few rows back, pointed excitedly out her own window at familiar landmarks. We're flying northwest, you know, Tanya's voice came through the intercom system that allowed them to chat, because the earth is round.

Ella nodded, still mesmerized by the shrinking world below. After about two hours, the novelty of the takeoff wore off, and the steady hum of the engines became a lullaby. Tanya unbuckled, came forward, and slipped into the empty seat next to Ella. The comfort of her presence was immediate. Soon, both of them had drifted off, heads resting on each other's shoulders. The gentle rustle of a flight attendant quietly placing meal trays on their tables woke them. They blinked, disoriented for a moment, then sat up and began to eat.

Hours later, the captain announced their crossing into U.S. airspace. Both Ella and Tanya were utterly fascinated, scanning the vast, unfamiliar landscape below. Three more hours passed, and then the seatbelt sign illuminated. The plane began its descent, circling over a sprawling metropolis. Ella pressed her face to the window, absorbing it all. Look, she exclaimed, pointing. There's Frisco and Plano and all of Dallas. The city unfolded beneath them, a tapestry of brown roads and green spaces,

crisscrossed by highways and dotted with buildings that gleamed in the late afternoon sun. I see a high-speed tram. Tanya, equally captivated, murmured, Dallas looks so amazingly nice. It has such good vibes. Oh, I love the brown brown. roads and highways. It looks so beautiful, it looks so safe too, Ella added, a wistful note in her voice. I wish we were going there. Soon after, the wheels touched down with a soft thump, followed by the roar of reverse thrusters. They had landed at DFW. As the plane taxied towards

the gate, Tanya returned to her own seat. Can we ride the train that goes on top of the airport? Ella asked, already buzzing with energy despite the long flight. Sure, Tanya agreed, knowing their layover was a generous four hours. They disembarked at Gate D-35, walking through the jet bridge and immediately heading for the escalators. No chimes here, Ella observed, noticing the quieter, less formal atmosphere compared to Heathrow. Their first hurdle was customs. It was packed. Five other international flight.

seemed to have landed simultaneously, and the queue stretched endlessly. It took a full two hours to clear, a test of their patients. Finally, with their passport stamped and a collective sigh of relief, they collected their luggage. Wow, Ella said, as they rechecked their bags for their final flight to El Paso. People here in Texas are so much friendlier than in the UK. Tanya nodded emphatically. Oh, definitely. People are so rude and London. It's a huge difference. After dropping off their bags, they had to clear security again, ascending another set of escalators into Terminal D. Ella, still struck by the warmth around them, continued, the vibes here in Dallas are just so much friendlier, and people are so

nice. I'm just, not used to this kindness. Tanya wholeheartedly agreed. Just then, Tanya had a sneezing fit, for loud, uncovered sneezes escaping her. Achoo! Achoo! A chew! A chew! A chew! An elderly lady, passing by, smiled genuinely.

God bless you, sweetheart, she said, her voice soft and kind. Thank you. Tanya replied, genuinely touched. She turned to Ella, her eyes wide. C. I'm so welcome to Texas. Back in Stoke, strangers would never say bless you. Stay tuned for the next chapter when they have fun during their layover at DFW Airport. To be continued.