Chapter 81

Chapter 81

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The relentless sounds of gunfire echoed through the woods, signaling the enemy’s position and pushing Quinlyn and the others to run forward.

Quinlyn and Stanley each gripped Larry’s arm as they moved, but the group fell into a heavy silence, each person weighed down as if their feet were stuck in mud.

The Hill family members had red–rimmed eyes, the gravity of their situation showing. Then they hit a snag a landslide had blocked their path ahead.

“What do we do? They’re going to catch up!” A student, who had just been complaining about their exhaustion, began to panic like a fly in a hot pan.

There was no choice; they had to take a detour. The slope was steep, and the earth was too loose. They trudged slowly around the back of the mountain, and by mid–afternoon, they were still deep in the terrain.

At this point, even Stanley and Larry were struggling to keep going. Quinlyn led them to a clearing to rest and checked in with the walkie–talkie to confirm their search progress. “Ivan, did you find Michael?”

Static crackled through the speaker before Ivan’s voice came through. “No, the landslide is pretty bad. Our progress is really slow. Bennett is on his way to find you. We’re trying to catch up.”

The thunderstorm had wreaked havoc, nearly destroying the whole mountain.

Quinlyn bit her lip. “Any news on Michael?”

There was a long pause before Ivan replied, “No.”

That answer sank her heart. She instinctively glanced at Larry, who had his head down, a gloom settling over him once

more.

She moved back beside him.

“No news?” Larry turned to look at her, his eyes still puffy.

Quinlyn usually spoke her mind directly, but she didn’t want to give a definitive answer now. Instead, she whispered, “He only fired four shots; there’s still hope.” If it had been a last stand, Michael would’ve emptied the magazine.

right. I can’t give

heart. She moved

hoarse. “Don’t worry. I won’t be

feeling a lump in his throat. This version of Larry was far from the spoiled rich kid he used to

for only a

for a camping trip! Why is this happening?” one student sobbed.

alive to

ever faced such hardship, and their

despair, not even bothering to speak.

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20 Mar A

Chapter 81

some water, and then she pulled out a large

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backpack, it was hard to imagine she’d

the contents were still warm.

carefully pulled out one egg at a time,

Stanley asked, stunned

for me yesterday.” As she handed them out, her small hands were soon

an egg, they curiously asked, “Why are

moment, recalling what Elowyn had

“You didn’t even eat last night but carried these all this way for us. How could we say those things about you… I’m really, really

head, choosing not to respond. She understood their emotions in such extreme circumstances, but she didn’t

to Stanley and Larry, she handed them each two eggs–one

cracking his egg against his forehead and then shoving the peeled egg into Quinlyn’s mouth. “You didn’t eat since last night. Are you trying to

it to Quinlyn, his gaze

ate all three eggs. After a full day and night of exhaustion, she felt

as they were about to continue their journey, the bushes rustled aside and Bennett arrived with a few team members. Seeing the armed investigation squad,

great!” Bennett exclaimed, relief flooding his voice as he took in the students‘ disheveled appearance. His gaze landed on Quinlyn, filled with gratitude. He knew it was her bravery that

found yet?” Larry limped forward, hope in his eyes.

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