Chapter 86
Finishing his briefing, the guide handed out spiked boots and safety harnesses. “The mountain trails are slick. Watch your step, everyone p>
Sienna took the gear and glanced at Lynn beside her.
The young intern was pale but clutching her medical kit tightly.
“Don’t be scared. Just stay close to me,” Sienna said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Lynn nodded fiercely. “Got it p>
Supporting each other, they trudged through the thick mud behind the rescue team.
The guide led the way, calling over his shoulder, “Stay alert! The trapped villagers are in this zone, and secondary slides could happen at any second p>
Suddenly, a deafening rumble echoed through the valley.
“Mudslide! Move p>
Someone screamed, but before the sound faded, a massive wave of earth, boulders, and uprooted trees tore down the mountainside, obliterating everything in its path.
A shriek erupted from the back of the line.
Sienna whipped around just in time to see a figure slip off the edge of the trail, followed instantly by another.
It was Lynn.
Sienna watched in horror as Lynn was swept away by the slide’s brutal backwash.
She lunged instinctively to grab her, her own boots skidding on the mud, but a strong grip yanked her back just in time.
“Dr. Sloan, it’s too dangerous p>
“She’s my intern,” Sienna choked out, gripping her rescuer’s arm with desperate intensity. “I have to save her p>
A rescue worker dragged her to a safer outcrop, issuing a stern warning. “Leave this to us. Stay right here and do not move p>
The team instantly mobilized, two men clipping into harnesses and rappelling down the steep drop.
Sienna crouched at the edge of the cliff, her eyes locked on the churning abyss below.
She was the only one left on the ledge.
She watched until the two rescuers vanished into the gloom.
Without warning, her radio let out a harsh burst of static.
The signal was completely dead.
Sienna pulled out her phone—no service.
She stared at the blank screen for a split second, shoved it into her pocket, and grabbed a spare rope, securing it around her waist p>
Meanwhile.
In the VIP wing of Capital Hospital.
Jarred stood at the end of the corridor, his profile reflected in the windowpane.
He had swapped his tailored trousers and dress shirt for black tactical gear, looking ready for a warzone.
Declan stood behind him, phone in hand and a grim expression on his face.
“Boss,” Declan began carefully, “we just got word. The rescue unit Sienna is embedded with was hit by a mudslide on their way up the mountain p>
Jarred’s shoulders flinched.
Declan braced himself and continued. “All signals are down. We can’t reach them. The initial report says… two people were swept away, and the rest of the team is unaccounted for p>
A deafening roar rushed through Jarred’s ears.
The casual, cynical smirk he usually wore was entirely gone, replaced by an ashen pallor that drained the color from his lips.
His own injuries were still in the early stages of healing.
Fueled by a surge of panic, his wounds throbbed with excruciating pain, leaving a sheen of cold sweat across his forehead.
He didn’t care.
He yanked out his phone and dialed Director Holden.
“Director Holden, I’m joining the emergency response team heading to the Northern Region p>
Holden’s anger flared through the receiver. “Are you out of your mind? I’ve already deployed our elite squads. You aren’t fully healed yet—you are to remain on standby in the Capital p>
After two seconds of dead silence, Holden realized Jarred wasn’t backing down.
He scoffed, his voice thick with frustration. “Give me one good reason why you absolutely have to be there p>