âIâll go.â Bella volunteered without hesitation. âIâm lighter in weight. believe the rock surface should be
able to handle my weight.â
Everybody was worried, but at that point, there was no better way.
âNo, Ms. Brown.â
When it came down to it, Xavier was scared. He furrowed his brows. I promised Frank to keep you
safe. Iâll do it.â
âNo, Captain. You can tell that the area canât hold a manâs weight.â
The park rangers freaked out.
âIâm not Ms. Brown here, Captain. I am a professional and honorable member of the park rangers. Cut
the bullshit. A life is at stake here.â
Bella secured a rope around her waist and carried another rope while climbing down the slope.
Nimbly and with technique, Bella cautiously climbed to the woman.
Due to the heavy rain, the slippery and muddy slope made the rescue harder.
âIâm coming. Donât be scared.â
Finally, Bella crawled to the woman covered in mud and held her.
âIt hurts⦠I canât move⦠My legâ¦â The woman sobbed. Feeling hungry and cold, she could barely
finish her sentence.
Bella was an outstanding physician, so she could tell that the woman had broken her leg badly.
She carried the woman and secured the rope around her waist.
Just then, Bella felt a horrible quake under her feet.
âOh, shit! Itâs a landslide. Everybody, pull!â
Xavier broke out in a sweat as terror overwhelmed h
He gripped tightly to the rope.
Despite pulling with all his might, his feet kept slipping forwa
âWe canât go on, Captain. At this rate, we will fall too.â
âCap, we canât hold onto the rope any longer!â
âWe can only save one, Captain. It will be too late if we donât run now.â
While they were talking, a torrent of rocks and mud carried forward a destructive force that was both
unstoppable and terrifying.
Xavier let out an angry bellow while pulling with everything he had.
Seconds before the landslide, they finally pulled a woman up amid the heavy fog.
âWe got the hiker. Sheâs alive, Captain!â
âCaptain, M-Ms. Brown is missing!â
News about Annaâs absence crippled Xavier.
Due to the landslide, the park rangers had to take the injured hiker back to the campsite immediately.
âOne team should transport the injured hiker back to the campsite, while the rest of you should come
with me to look for Ms. Brown.â
With his eyes turning bloodshot, Xavier clenched his fists. âContact the search and rescue team.
Things have taken a turn for the worse, and we need backup.â
âCaptain, Ms. Brown could be buried under.
âShe might have fallen over the cliff. â
The park rangers kept their heads down in sorrow. They doubted they would find Anna alive.
âDonât say that! Ms. Brown will be fine.â
Even so, Xavier teared up.
Three years ago, a park ranger lost his life in a landslide. Xavier knew the horrifying side of Mother
Nature, but he refused to admit that the. brave and resilient woman might have perished.
âLook, Captain. Someone is there!â
Xavier turned back and saw a tall, lofty figure in green hiking gear emerging from the storm. He
approached them with a commanding presence.
âMr. Salvador?â
âItâs Mr. Salvador!â
Justinâs face was covered in rain, his facial features sharp in the dark of the night.
His presence offered great assurance.
âWhereâs Anna?â Justin went to Xavier and asked with bloodshot eyes.
âMs. Brown fell into the landslide while rescuing the hiker. We donât know if sheâs dead or alive,â Xavier
confessed. There was no point in hiding the truth.
Color washed over Justinâs face as he trembled. His heart dropped.
âNo⦠Anna wonât die. She will be fine.â.
He thought to himself, âShe owes me a lot of explanation. She hasnât gotten her revenge on me yet. I
have not made up for all the hurt l caused her. How can she possibly die on me? I wonât let you die,
Bella! I need you by my side, alive and well!â
Tearful, Justin rushed into the rainstorm without looking back.