Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 304 Time to Turn Around

That night, no one in Greenfield Village slept.

After the major earthquake, rescue teams and supplies quickly arrived from surrounding areas. Greenfield Village had suffered extensively-many old houses had collapsed, landslides blocked roads near the mountains, and the once-clear river now ran red with mud.

The peaceful village had transformed into a scene of devastation. No one knew how many lives lay buried beneath the rubble.

When the house collapsed, Lacey was struck and knocked unconscious. When she finally opened her eyes, her eyelashes felt heavy with dust, and she couldn't move at all.

Remembering Jason, she frantically looked around, but could see nothing in the pitch darkness surrounding her.

"Jason," she called out, her voice hoarse from either weakness or fear.

"Jason!" she called again, her voice trembling now.

"I'm here!" came Jason's faint reply from somewhere in the darkness.

She strained her eyes toward the sound. His voice was weak, and though worried about him, she could see nothing. She reached out blindly, her hands searching. "Are you hurt?" she asked.

A large hand grasped hers in the darkness.

"I'm okay. How about you?"

"I'm fine too."

In truth, Lacey was far from fine. Her legs were pinned under a concrete slab, and she had no idea if she would ever walk again.

Unable to see each other, they clung to their joined hands, the only tangible proof of each other's existence. They had no way of knowing if it was day or night outside, or whether anyone would come to rescue them. Death felt just a breath away.

"I'm sorry," Lacey whispered. "I should have listened to you. I was foolish to think the aftershock wouldn't come so quickly, or that the house would withstand it. Now we're trapped, and it's my fault for dragging you into this."

After a moment, Jason sighed softly and tightened his grip on her hand. "It's not your fault."

Lacey's lips curved in a bitter smile. "Natural disasters like earthquakes are merciless. They don't care who you are they destroy everything in their path. That's how my dad died, you know."

"I've always been terrified of earthquakes. They're so merciless-they don't care if you're good or bad. They just take lives without warning. That's how Benjamin died, you know."

"Save your strength," Jason cautioned. "Someone will come for us."

Tears welled in Lacey's eyes. "I just want to talk while I still can. I'm afraid we might not have another chance."

"We will," Jason insisted.

"Do you think it's day or night right now?" Lacey asked.

After a pause, Jason replied, "Probably night. If it were daytime, some light would filter through, no matter how deep we're buried."

"So we haven't been trapped that long?"

"That's why you need to keep hoping. Don't give up."

When morning came, faint light seeped through the cracks between stones-just

enough for them to see each other. They were both filthy and disheveled.

When the concrete slab had fallen, Lacey had pushed Jason aside. He had landed in a triangular pocket of safety, while she was pinned beneath the concrete.

Lacey had been quiet for some time, feeling numb as her strength ebbed away.

Jason cleared away some rubble to move closer to her. Seeing her legs trapped and her lips blue with cold, he removed his jacket and draped it over her. "Hold on, Lacey."

After a night on the freezing floor, Lacey had developed a chill, her voice raspy. "I'm okay. I'll keep hoping, just like you said."

darkened and brightened again

days without water, Lacey's lips were cracked

winter had

lay beside her, holding her

huge, with too many collapsed buildings. Rescuers are coming-we just need to wait," he

to

and darkness fell again, hope

emphasized conserving strength. They had barely spoken

unable to hear him, she grew anxious. Slowly,

you okay?" she whispered, her voice

her hand in

boldly wrapped her arms around

their last, she

water... just one bottle, and we could

days."

desperation, her

wanted to answer, but his throat

through him. Now they were both trapped, and as a man,

Lacey's face,

eyes widened slowly, as if in an unreal

lips moistened hers,

knew the kiss wasn't romantic-Jason was just

lose herself in this moment of intimacy. Both were nearly spent. Though they spoke of not giving up, despair rose like

held her face, brushing away sand and smoothing her hair. "I'm sorry I brought

full experience. You won't

remorse for all the physical and emotional hardship he'd caused

had always given silently to him, though he had rarely noticed. Now, he could

love you," Lacey said, her voice hoarse

and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry. If we make it out

down Lacey's cheeks as

had almost

face in the darkness and gently wiped it away. "Don't

Lacey couldn't

crying? Aren't you happy?" he

am happy, but this moment came

her close, and after a moment, declared firmly, "Then I'll carry you into the church on my

against Jason's chest, clutching his shirt,

the most beautiful thing anyone

we'll

didn't respond, just held her tightly, sharing what might

of warmth.

approached, they finally heard movement

had come

could barely keep her

urged, trying

murmured weakly, her eyelids impossibly

removed

her eyes closed, but

they were

were carried out, Lacey still clutched

over, looking frantically between Jason

forced her eyes open and handed

to you."

photo and burst into tears. "Hang in

forget to visit novi