Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Exhausted, Josiah stumbled as he stepped out of the narrow wooden hut, nearly tripping over the threshold.

"Mr. Evans." A bodyguard swiftly reached out to steady Josiah, eyes scanning his pallid, grim face with concern. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine..." Josiah shook his head, then suddenly turned to the bodyguards

flanking him. "Why are you all standing here? Go find him."

"Mr. Evans, we have to protect you," one bodyguard said.

"Do I need it?" Josiah asked angrily, his gaze filled with sarcasm.

"Get out there and find Conner."

"Mr. Evans..." The bodyguards were hesitant.

"Go now," Josiah instructed.

"Yes, sir." The bodyguards exchanged glances but ultimately obeyed Josiah's orders, swiftly scattering in all directions.

After shouting himself hoarse, Josiah felt a sharp pain throbbing in his temples. He raised a hand to rub his temple, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

The mountain had no streetlights, and the recent rain had left the paths muddy and treacherous. The longer they delayed, the worse things would get.

One more person searching meant one more ray of hope. Josiah gripped his flashlight tightly and plunged into the search himself.

The sounds of voices faded into the distance, and only the steady beam of his flashlight illuminated the path ahead. Josiah glanced at his phone from time to time, afraid of missing any incoming calls or messages.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Josiah's feet gave way! He thought, 'Damn it!' By the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late. His center of gravity plummeted, and his entire body plunged downward in free fall.

"Ethan, help," Josiah's pupils shrank as he shouted.

However, the descent was too rapid. Josiah's cry was swallowed by the abyss along with him.

"Ugh." As his body tumbled down, scraping against jagged rocks, Josiah gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan. His flashlight had long been lost. He was now engulfed in an endless void.

fear coiled in the depths of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for me?' "Ah," Josiah screamed.

to a sudden halt. The pain was excruciating, enough to make him momentarily shut his eyes,

his pants were torn. His palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp, metallic scent

then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone. He needed to check

have been flung away when I fell. Perhaps it's nearby?' All that remained in Josiah's pocket was a lighter. He pulled it out and struck the flint. A flickering flame sprang

thought he had fallen off a cliff, but no cliff was this

this? Wait!' Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person. Josiah directed its glow toward the murky silhouette after flicking the lighter off, then reigniting

be... Conner?' His throat tightened. A wave

leg,

forced himself to endure it, shoving the pain aside as he rushed toward the shadowy figure on

knee, he reached out and flipped the

He was still

up in his eyes, threatening

He reached out to help Conner

Conner's eyes remained shut. There was no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and then

could stay here

I can't sit

up." Josiah made up his mind. He took a deep breath, put Conner's arm around his shoulder, and helped him to his feet. He wondered, 'But what next?' Josiah struck the lighter and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, an eerie Wind rushing toward them. He had his suspicions-this must be some kind of

impossible. Their only option was to

it onto the ground where he had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived and saw it,

his back. "Ugh." Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath him. He barely managed

a grown man, but it normally wouldn't have been a problem for

the flesh of Josiah's left leg now. Every step sent a sharp pang of pain through

he finally steadied himself. Then, he took a

talked to Conner, hoping to wake

that? Tania tied you up here

of going back to save Joyce, weren't you? Right..."

had nothing to do with Josiah,

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

crept into

voice. "Conner, show some

Say something. Where are you hurt You finally managed

for you to save her life You have

picking up