Misael nodded, waiting for Raegan's next words.
"Wrap your arms around this tree and stay awake. Just hang on. Someone will surely come for you. You're not forgotten,” Raegan instructed.
"Okay," Misael replied, tears gleaming in his eyes.
"Use this red scarf to signal if you hear any sounds. Make sure you're visible. Got it?" Raegan added.
Tears filled Misael's eyes, and he nodded vigorously.
Raegan felt overwhelmed by the force of the landslide, as if drowning in heavy mud, the pressure draining her strength gradually, as though all her breath was being squeezed out.
Struggling to get the words out, Raegan whispered, "Misael, If you come across a girl named Janey, that's my daughter. Please tell her | love her so much. She's the light of my life, and her coming into this world means everything tome..."
Her voice got fainter with each word.
Darkness encroached Raegan's consciousness, her breathing seemingly stifled. She felt completely drained.
Raegan felt she lacked the strength to speak anymore.
She seemed to be doomed this day.
Through the dimming consciousness, she could still hear Misael's cries.
At the moment she felt submerged by the landslide, Raegan thought about all the people she hadn't had the chance to bid farewell to. Her father, her brother, Nicole, Elin, Annis... And Mitchel. She regretted not having directly replied to his question. If only she had expressed her longing for him...
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBefore losing consciousness, Raegan managed to force a smile. If her life was to end alone, she wished her final expression in this world would be a smile. Did fear grip her at this moment? Indeed, fear overwhelmed her. Not merely fear, but a deep regret for not bidding farewell to those dear to her.
Yet, if given another chance, Raegan knew for sure she wouldn't leave Misael behind. Despite the odds, she would still make the effort.
At the airport in Mccarthy.
Mitchel, in his sharp black suit, standing tall like a sturdy pine, holding a bouquet of red roses. His elegant attire clashed oddly with the romantic gesture of the flowers.
Luis had advised sending flowers was the wise start of pursuing girls.
Mitchel didn't tell Raegan he got to the airport in Mccarthy ahead of time, planning to catch the same flight back home with her. He had arranged for Matteo to stay in Ardlens for Janey's safety.
As soon as Mitchel activated his phone after his land, it was bombarded with missed calls and alerts.
Among the flood of messages, an urgent news alert caught his attention. "A huge landslide hit Burwood, forcing people to evacuate. We don't know how many casualties there are yet.
Mitchel froze. The roses slipped from his grip and fell to the floor. Petals spread out everywhere.
Mitchel hurriedly left the airport.
In Burwood. At the site of the calamity.
Mitchel stood silently at the edge, his presence radiating a dignified, solitary coldness.
The scene in front of him looked nothing like the quaint village Raegan had depicted in her photos. What confronted him was a landscape of mud, stones, and wreckage - complete ruin.
Mitchel felt shattered. "Raegan..." He seemed unable to bear it any longer and collapsed to his knees, his mind praying for Raegan's safety.
The two elite guards arranged by Mitchel for Raegan's safety, now covered in dust, approached Mitchel and reported in a dry, raspy voice, "Mr. Dixon, we've searched this whole area and found no sign of Miss Foster..." The disaster had been ferocious. Yet, due to effective
‘emergency response, casualties were minimized. The village's population was small to begin with.
Nearly all the volunteers had gotten to safety. At present, only five individuals were missing, Raegan and Misael included.
"Miss Foster stayed behind to rescue a child, which delayed her escape..." Before the guard could finish, blood burst forth from Mitchel's mouth.
Mitchel's pale lips were stained crimson, the blood trickling down.
"Mr. Dixon!" The guards hurried over, trying to lend him ‘some support.
Yet, Mitchel waved his hand dismissively. He slowly rose to his feet, his voice cold as ice, "Get a helicopter, bring more rescuers, and widen the search perimeter. We must find Raegan, even if we have to search every corner of this damned village!"
The guards wasted no time and got right to it.
A helicopter soon landed in an open field.
Mitchel climbed aboard, adjusted his specialized glasses, and signaled to proceed.
The helicopter swept low across the area.
After multiple passes, no signs of life appeared, not even a small indication of any living creature. The whole ground was a dull gray. No signs of life anywhere.
Debris continued to cascade down from Mount Burwood.
This spot remained the heart of the disaster, deemed too hazardous for entry.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter making a second pass, the sense of despair in the helicopter's cabin was noticeable among the guards. It seemed impossible to locate a breathing Raegan.
Mitchel's gaze was locked on the gray landscape beneath him, his handsome features filled with sorrow. Given the situation, was there any chance of making it out alive?
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to accept Raegan had died. It was unthinkable that fate would be so harsh on him! It just couldn't be! Seeing Mitchel's ghastly pallor, one of the guards softly suggested, "Mr. Dixon, maybe you should take a break. Let us continue the search...” "Head toward latitude 45 degrees. Angle it!" Mitchel's voice turned cold as he spoke abruptly.
The pilot adjusted the helicopter's course accordingly.
To the guards’ amazement, they noticed a red ribbon moving on a bare tree branch. Approaching, they spotted a little boy, covered in dirt, waving a red scarf.
Mitchel's pupils contracted sharply. That scarf belonged to the volunteers. Raegan had one just like it. And such a layer of dust was unusual for a child to equip with.
Mitchel grabbed the gear from the guard beside him and hastily strapped it on. "I'm going down!" Caught off guard, the guard began to protest, "Mr. Dixon, you..."
But before the guard could even complete his sentence, Mitchel had already descended from the helicopter using a rappelling rope.
The pilot skillfully adjusted the helicopter's position.
Taking the chance, Mitchel leaped and grabbed a thick branch. He then gestured with his white glove, signaling that he had landed safely on the tree.
Misael had been clinging on without sleep for so long that he felt utterly drained, yet he continued to shiver uncontrollably. visibly frightened.
Mitchel gently took Misael's hand, embracing him firmly, and asked with a deep voice, "Can you talk?" Misael nodded and then quickly shook his head.
Mitchel's eyes were pitch-black, his body colder than it appeared. "Who handed you this scarf..." Mitchel seemed to be suppressing his voice, as if afraid that even a slight carelessness would shatter his hopes.
Misael's face was streaked with tears and fear. "A lady... A
stunning lady..." The fear of the night and his empty stomach made it hard for Misael to put his thoughts into words. But the most crucial message stuck in his mind.
"She told me she's Janey's mother..." At that moment, Mitchel's deep, dark eyes filled with intensity, his heart sinking.