Chapter 159
Richard assured me. “No matter what path you choose, I’ll be right there for you, just like in our past life. No matter how the world changes, my support for you remains unshaken.” “Thanks, Richard,” I replied, and my gratitude for Lydia’s saving me poured into those words. I was determined to help save others, too.
Due to the flooding, many roads were in the water, and houses collapsed, making it challenging to find our way back to the route we initially took. We wandered around for a while before finally figuring out the direction toward the hill we aimed for earlier. Fortunately, the skies were only overcast without further rainfall, aiding our search for the elders’ homes.
Along the way, we passed vast stretches of fallen trees and crops farmers had painstakingly tended to, all submerged underwater. As the harvest season approached, the hard work of the past six months would be in vain with this flooding. “Richard, I once read a poem about floods but didn’t fully get its meaning until today. Now I truly understand what ‘fear of nature’ means,” I said, trying to find some poetry in the chaos.
Richard frowned slightly but patted my head, comforting me, “Everything will be okay, Claire p>
“That kind of talk gets to me, you know. I’m already in my senior year internship,” I said, suddenly realizing I was just 22 years old.
Yet, with all that had happened, I felt like I had lived a century’s worth of experiences.
As our kayak approached our destination, I could see the large house Claude had prepared on the high ground, half-destroyed by a mudslide.
I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Didn’t Claude watch the news? With Elmwood Springs suffering such a disaster, did he ever worry I might get caught in it p>
This time, I understood the importance of self-reliance over expecting others to save me.
The wooden houses at the foot of the hill were almost out of sight.
We increased the speed of our kayak, and I pointed toward the general area, my voice nearly breaking with sorrow. “Over there, some old houses. I heard some people over 90 are living there p>
The rescue team quickly assessed the water level, which wasn’t too high, but the thick mud was challenging. They chose to wade through it, and upon reaching some ruins, they shouted, “Is anyone there?” “Is anyone there p>
Filled with hope, their calls cut through the silence, everyone anxiously waiting for even a faint response.
After a long silence, no one responded until an elderly voice, tinged with a local accent, finally broke through.
Even without tools, everyone started digging toward the source of the voice with their bare hands. “Don’t be afraid. We’re here to save you p>
Richard insisted I stay in the kayak, reminding me, “You’re a doctor, and more people need your help. Save your strength.” As he spoke, he, too, jumped into the mud. His figure, which slimmed down from his time in jail due to Claude’s machinations, appeared resolutely determined.
I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat. But before I could succumb to sadness, the rescue team quickly pulled an elder onto the kayak, who was struggling to breathe. I
ver
immediately started providing
emergency care.
The flood had taken everything, including our sense of time. We didn’t know how long we dug until we had rescued several elders.
Some got injured by rocks, and others had deep cuts in their legs. With limited medical supplies, I tore strips from my clothing to make makeshift bandages to stop the bleeding.
“Let’s transport the first group back to the main camp!” one of the rescue team members commanded, noting that the kayak was full.
Richard continued digging, but upon
hearing the command, he looked back and yelled, “Claire, head back to the main camp and help out there. I’ll stay here and keep rescuing others. Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine. Wait for me p>