Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 689 "Corley, I'm here!" Roseanne called out with all her might.

The tropical section of the botanical base, dense with its jungle-like vegetation, was a maze for anyone not familiar with the terrain.

Although Corley had asked Mamie for directions, he only had a rough idea of where to go.

The deeper he went, the dimmer the lights became, until there was no light at all.

It was pitch black, impossible to see your own hand in front of your face.

He had brought a flashlight, but the area was so vast that the light it cast was but a small beam. To be safe, he kept calling out her name as he walked.

Luckily, his luck hadn't run out yet.

After about half an hour of trudging through puddles, just as he was about to try another direction, he heard Roseanne's response.

"Don't move! I'm coming-"

"Okay!"

Her voice sounded normal, which meant she probably wasn't in life-threatening danger. Corley let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Following the direction of her voice, he finally found Roseanne between two large rocks! Though his flashlight only swept over her briefly, Corley could see her disheveled state. She was covered in mud, her hair a mess, and her backpack torn.

He quickly went over to help her up.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

When Corley had gotten the message, he had feared the worst. Seeing Roseanne conscious and with no visible bleeding, just covered in mud, was a huge relief.

Roseanne shook her head. "Nothing serious, just sprained my ankle. Are you alone?"

"I came as soon as the base started gathering people. They should be on their way too."

jacket

see if I can make a splint

hem of her right pant leg, revealing an ankle already turning shades of blue and

her ankle gently. Roseanne

elsewhere. "How about here? Does this

injury, but just to be safe, let's make

to wrap and secure the makeshift splint. "...There. You can't walk on this, so I'll

Corley's back, her hands awkwardly placed

the quickest way

secured his hands around her thighs

hold on a bit tighter." After a moment's hesitation, Roseanne crossed her arms

starting

you know the way back?" Roseanne broke the silence, seeking some

I

area

way

great; let's get you somewhere dry

and silence fell again. Corley broke it. "Scared? Alone, injured, and in

meet up as

would've sought help immediat

large predators in the

chuckled. "You're pretty

else can I

can be a good way

have

chance to offer a shoulder

remained silent as Corley carried her westward. However, within five minutes, they heard

relieved to see a flashlight beam

faint voices and suspected it might be Roseanne, leading him directly

Owen frowned, his first

hurt?! How bad is it?! How big is the wound? What's your