The senior man gathered his belongings, grabbed some dry food, and stepped out with a hunting rifle.
He asked Nicole, âYoung lady, do you know how to use this?â
Nicole nodded.
She had learned from Roscoe back in the village, though she wasnât particularly skilled.
She confessed, âI can use it, but Iâm not very practiced.
â
âNo worries.
As long as youâve handled it before,â the senior man said confidently.
âWeâre facing a serious threat this time.
We need to be ready to defend ourselves.
â
Despite his age and having less to lose, the senior man felt Nicole was too young to face such danger.
He then brought a large bucket and announced, âLetâs get moving.
â
Nicole noticed the bulky bucket and asked, âSir, whatâs inside that? Isnât it a bit too heavy?â
The senior man shook his head.
âItâs not heavy, not heavy at all.
Itâs filled with good things.
â
He didnât elaborate, and Nicole didnât probe any further.
She offered to help carry it, but he declined.
Nicole packed her dried meat and rifle.
The senior man, hardened by years of mountain life, moved quickly despite the weight he carried.
A journey that would have taken Nicole four days on her own, they managed to complete over half in just a day and a half.
They traveled during the night and rested during the day to steer clear of wild animals.
Once they found a safe spot, they settled down to sleep.
Exhausted, Nicole fell asleep almost immediately.
Meanwhile, back at the senior manâs mountain hut, unexpected visitors had arrived.
The leader, wrapped in a black jacket and wearing a crisp crew cut, appeared both handsome and stern.
Just then, Alec called out, âSir, could this be your wifeâs bracelet?â
Jarrod took the bracelet, inspected it closely, and replied, âYes, it definitely is.
â
Still uncertain, Alec asked, âSir, how can you be so sure?â
âLook here.
â Jarrod pointed out a distinctive mark inside the bracelet and casually remarked, âItâs unmistakably hers.
â
The bracelet bore the distinctive MQ Jewelry logo, its presence an anomaly in the modest surroundings of the thatched hut.
Nicole, not one for ostentatious adornments, favored practical gold pieces.
As a result, she had MQ Jewelry send her their latest gold creations every season.
These pieces werenât valued solely for their weight but for their exquisite craftsmanship.
Even a small item could fetch a price far surpassing that of standard gold.
Yet, here lay one of these treasures, seemingly abandoned in the rustic confines of the hut.
Jarrodâs brow furrowed in concern as he spoke in a hushed tone.
âWe need to find out where Nicole went, and fast.
â
Alec nodded in agreement, his expression resolute.
âUnderstood.
â
Accompanied by their trained hunting dogs, they swiftly picked up a scent and set off deeper into the rugged expanse of the mountains.
Observing Jarrodâs determination to join them, Alec hesitated before speaking up, concern evident in his voice.
âSir, maybe we should take a breather? Youâve barely had a proper rest in 72 hours except for that short nap in the car.
Your body canât keep this up!â
Jarrod, distinct in his manner from the rest, didnât share their ability to easily doze off during car rides.
Instead, he merely furrowed his brow lightly, appearing as though he hadnât slept well, likely due to the weight of his concerns.