At that moment, Raegan felt her heart pounding.
She knew she had to keep her cool.
Panicking would just waste time and could make them take a wrong turn.
Raegan looked around, realizing they were trapped with no clear way out.
She scanned the area and her eyes settled on a tall tree.
That tree looked ancient and had deep roots.
Raegan asked the little boy, âCan you climb trees?â
The little boy nodded.
Quickly, Raegan wrapped a volunteerâs red scarf around the boy, removed the dust mask and placed it on his face.
Then, lifting him, she urged, âHurry up and climb! Grab the thickest branch in the middle and hold on tight!â
The boy got the message and climbed.
Right when the boy made it to the top, the ground surged again, shaking the ancient tree with its force.
Raegan clung to the tree trunk.
Sheâd lost her chance and couldnât climb up now.
The soil soon covered her legs, knees, thighs⦠The dirt, mixed with chunks of rock, pained her with every hit.
Seeing Raegan hadnât come up, the boy began to cry out of fear.
Clinging to a branch, he yelled, âClimb up fast! Quick!â
Raegan was pretty weak by then.
She felt the tree slipping from her grasp slowly but surely.
Yet, she held on with all her might.
Looking up at the boy, she forced a cheerful tone.
âDonât worry, kiddo.
Iâll be okay.
Whatâs your name?â
âMy name is Misael.
â
âAlright, Misael, listen to me closely.
â
Misael nodded, waiting for Raeganâs next words.
âWrap your arms around this tree and stay awake.
Just hang on.
Someone will surely come for you.
Youâre not forgotten,â Raegan instructed.
âOkay,â Misael replied, tears gleaming in his eyes.
âUse this red scarf to signal if you hear any sounds.
Make sure youâre visible.
Got it?â Raegan added.
Tears filled Misaelâs eyes, and he nodded vigorously.
Raegan felt overwhelmed by the force of the landslide, as if drowning in heavy mud, the pressure draining her strength gradually, as though all her breath was being squeezed out.
Struggling to get the words out, Raegan whispered, âMisael, If you come across a girl named Janey, thatâs my daughter.
Please tell her I love her so much.
Sheâs the light of my life, and her coming into this world means everything to meâ¦â