Chapter 353
The stakes had doubled this round—two cars, two apartments.
Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed past him.
He turned around, stunned. "Was that Ethan? Why's he running so fast? What happened?"
...
In the pitch-black, lightless woods—
Sophia Sullivan had injured her foot.
She could only wait for rescue where she was.
The rain had stopped.
The night was silent, making her hearing acutely sharp.
Residual raindrops slid off leaves.
They dripped into puddles on the ground with a soft plink.
Nocturnal birds and chirping insects occasionally called out...
Every tiny sound was amplified by the stillness.
Fortunately, Sophia had a steady mindset and a clear head—
The conservatory had no large predators.
No need to worry about being attacked.
The grounds were regularly treated for pests.
Even if there were snakes, they weren't venomous.
Most importantly, she was only lost in a man-made botanical garden.
It wasn't the actual wilderness.
As long as she held out long enough, rescue would surely come.
The only discomfort was her wet clothes clinging to her skin.
It was very unpleasant.
Thankfully, this was a climate-controlled zone, simulating a tropical environment.
The temperature was relatively high.
In her panic earlier, she had hidden between two rocks.
The space was narrow, forcing her to curl up.
Now that the rain had stopped and she had regained some strength, she planned to move to a spot where she could at least stretch out.
She began to shift slowly.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps reached her.
Sophia froze—
Yes!
Footsteps!
Rescue?!
She held her breath, pricking up her ears, trying to pinpoint the direction.
Northeast. Not too far away!
She was about to call out when she abruptly heard—
"Sophia Sullivan! Sophia Sullivan! Can you hear me? If you hear me, answer me!"
That voice...
Sebastian's voice cut through the rainforest.
"I'm here!" Sophia called back immediately.
The tropical plant base was densely vegetated.
Visibility was severely limited.
Anyone unfamiliar with the terrain could easily get lost.
Sebastian had asked Hannah Morse before entering.
He only knew the general direction.
The deeper he went, the darker it became.
Until all light was completely lost.
Darkness enveloped everything.
He gripped his flashlight.
The beam was narrow.
He could only call her name as he walked.
Half an hour later.
He splashed through puddles.
He was about to change direction.
Suddenly, he heard her response.
"Don't move, I'm coming—"
"Okay!"
Her voice sounded like she was holding up.
Sebastian's anxious heart settled slightly.
He followed the sound.
Finally, he found Sophia between two large rocks.
The flashlight beam swept over her face.
She was covered in mud.
Her hair was disheveled.
Her backpack was torn.
He hurried forward and helped her up.
"Are you hurt?"
The worst-case scenarios flashed through his mind.
Seeing her conscious now.
With no obvious blood.
He finally felt truly relieved.
Sophia shook her head. "Sprained my ankle. Are you alone?"
"The base is organizing a search party. They'll be here soon."
Sebastian took off his windbreaker and draped it over her.
"Which foot? Let me stabilize it first."
"Thank you."
She rolled up her right pant leg.
Her ankle was swollen, red, and badly bruised.
It looked painful.
Sebastian frowned as he examined it.
Sophia sucked in a sharp breath.
Clearly in significant pain.
He stopped immediately.
"Does it hurt here?"
"Not too much."
"Probably not broken, but it still needs support."
He found a sturdy branch.
He used vines to wrap and secure it.
"Alright. I'll carry you out."
Sophia didn't argue.
She leaned onto his back.
Her hands rested on his shoulders.
Sebastian supported her under her knees.
He stood up steadily.
"The ground is uneven. Hold on tight."
She hesitated for two seconds.
Then she crossed her arms over his chest.
A slight smile touched Sebastian's lips.
He began carrying her back.
"Do you know the way?" Sophia broke the silence.
"Not sure, but I saw a climate-controlled rest area on my way in. I'll take you there first."
"Okay."
Quiet settled between them again.
"Were you scared? Alone and injured in the dark."
"It was alright. I knew Hannah would send help. No dangerous animals here, just very dark."
"You're quite resilient."
"What else could I do? Cry?"
"It wouldn't hurt to try. Crying can release emotions."
"I didn't have any emotions to release."
"So I didn't even get a chance to offer a shoulder?"
Sophia had no retort.
Sebastian headed west.
In less than five minutes.
A rustling sound approached.
Both tensed, alert.
A beam from another flashlight swept past.
Alexander Laurent appeared.
He had followed the sound of their voices.
Seeing Sebastian carrying Sophia.
He paused for a moment.
Then his brow furrowed.
"Injured? How bad? Size of the wound? What's her temperature?"
Sophia quickly explained it was just her ankle.
Alexander shone his light on her feet.
Noting the branch splint on her right ankle.
He immediately shrugged off his backpack.
He gestured for Sebastian to put her down.
"I brought a professional splint and bandages. It needs proper care."
Sophia was surprised. "Professor, can you see the future?"
Sebastian was also taken aback.
Alexander kept his head down, retrieving items.
"Not exactly. I prepared for other scenarios too."
That's why he had set out later than Sebastian.
He was still gathering supplies when Sebastian left.
Besides the splint and bandages.
He had even brought adrenaline.
But that wasn't necessary to mention.
"Here."
Sebastian carefully set Sophia down.
Letting Alexander tend to the injury.
The latter was clearly more skilled.
"Professor, it's really not that serious. Just a swollen ankle. Thank you, Professor~"
Sophia even managed a lighthearted tone.
Alexander's brow remained furrowed.
But he visibly relaxed.
"All done."