Chapter 158
Standing there wasn’t a long-term solution, and everyone eagerly looked outside, hoping for a rescue to arrive soon. It had been two hours since I called Richard, and we had been standing there for just as long. It poured down again, and the water level rose even further. We got cornered with water up to our waists.
Some elderly folks couldn’t keep their footing and fell into the water, struggling to stay afloat.
Nearby folks quickly came to their aid, linking arms to create a human barrier. No words were exchanged, just silent, mutual support p>
The flood grew worse, the water level reaching our necks. A woman nearby held her child above the water, even as she struggled to keep her head above. A large wave hit, bringing the child from her grasp.
“No! My baby!” She frantically tried to reach her child but struggled due to her lack of swimming skills.
I knew how to swim and was about to dive in when a bodyguard swiftly swam over, grabbed the child, and handed it to me. I returned the child to his mother, but a massive wave hit us as I turned around, sweeping me away instantly. “Am I going to die?” I thought.
“Ms. Claire p>
That was when Lydia courageously jumped into the water and clung to me. The bodyguards formed a chain, pulling us against the current.
Once back at the human barrier, Lydia’s injuries were evident. The water around her stained a mix of yellow and crimson. She closed her eyes weakly.
I reached out to her, but another wave swept Lydia away.
I screamed, “Lydia p>
“Someone save her p>
But the current was too strong, and Lydia was quickly carried off, her strength fading.
I stood there in shock, the bodyguards holding me back, our collective grief apparent yet silent. At that moment, I realized life wasn’t just about Claude. There was so much more to do, so many people to meet, so much suffering to witness, and so many debts of kindness to repay.
Three hours had passed, but we hadn’t given up hope of reaching safety. Sure enough, helicopters appeared overhead, dropping down lifeboats. Rescuers in orange vests arrived like heroes, ferrying us to safety in groups.
“Claire!” Amid the chaos, I thought I heard Richard calling me.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shouted, “Richard! I’m here p>
He navigated the lifeboat through the crowd toward me.
The bodyguards were initially stunned but seemed to resign to the fact that leaving was our only option.
“Richard, you made it.” I had been holding back my fear, but when I saw Richard, I couldn’t anymore. I cried in his arms for a long time, mourning Lydia, claimed by the floodwaters. She had survived one flood only to lose her life in another.
As we left, I saw the devastation of people clinging to poles and homes reduced to rubble. I thought of the elders in the hillside homes and wondered if someone had rescued them. “Richard, there’s a place where only the elderly live in old cottages. Can we check on them p>
He looked at me, sighed deeply, and said, “Claire, you’ve changed so much. Your heart isn’t just about Claude anymore. You’ve embraced a greater love. But the flood ahead is severe. It could be dangerous. Put on your gear. If you want to go, I’m with you p>