Chapter 425


    The bus we boarded was followed by two trucks covered by wraps. I didn’t know what they were


    transporting. Perhaps tools for the rescue mission and logistics.


    The atmosphere inside the bus was rather stuffy. No one spoke.


    We left the city center and headed to a muddy path. The mountains should be right in front.


    The dangerous path was narrow and muddy. Several days of heavy downpours only made the bumpy


    path even more slippery. No one could tell if we were traveling on a straight path or water puddles.


    The bus proceeded very slowly. The constant rocking motion made me sick. I almost threw up several


    times.


    Colin’s phone remained switched off. It had been two days now. I grew more and more


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    anxious as news of him continued to elude me.


    Looking at the endless path before me, tears welled up several times in my eyes. But I forced myself


    not to cry.


    I told myself not to cry when it wasn’t the time to cry, I needed the energy when I searched for


    Colinter.


    As we ventured deeper, several passengers on the bus began to curse as their bodies kept. bumping


    into one another. Some even protested loudly.


    We weren’t the only group on the bus. There were several other volunteers and staff members from the


    relevant departments. The ones protesting were two volunteers.


    “If you don’t want toe with us, you can get off the bus. No one is forcing you to be here.


    Comining will only drag the entire morale down. Is this what a volunteer should be doing? If you


    can’t handle the challenge, don’te.


    “This is a ce for you to y the hero. Both of you look young. You must be university students. What


    year are you guys in? What are your names?”


    Winston stood up and red at the young people behind us. His jaw was tense, but he still


    looked handsome.


    Being scolded by Winston, the students were worried that he would bring theint to the school


    and thus ruin their purpose for joining this trip. They could only shut up grouchily and close their eyes,


    pretending to be asleep.


    The bus stopped at the valley between two mountains. All of us then alighted from the bus. The guide


    told us that the mudslide took ce in the area ahead of us. As the affected area was huge, the bus


    couldn’t go in. We had to walk to the destination.


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    Everyone got ready to enter the mountains.


    When we arrived at Lagado, we asked the relevant authorities for permission to enter the mountains.


    However, our demand was declined because they had already sent in a professional team. Laymen like


    uscked the knowledge and the tools. Plus, we might injure ourselves.


    However, Professor King and his colleagues talked to the authorities several times. They swore to


    protect our safety and to never be a burden to the rescue team. Only then were we


    allowed in.


    Winston turned to the guide, who was also the organizer of this rescue mission. His name was John


    Michaels. “Mr. Michaels, how far do we have to walk?”


    “Around five to six miles. It’s not far, but the track will be challenging. It’s getting dark soon, and the


    weather forecast says that it’s going to rain today. We don’t know when it’ll start pouring, so we must


    make haste. Let’s try to get to our destination before it rains.


    “One more thing, as we don’t have any information, you can’t act recklessly regardless of who you’re


    trying to rescue. Only act when you’re sure that you’re perfectly safe. When you work, work in a group


    of two. Obey orders and bring themunication device with you at all times. Check its battery.


    “Furthermore, keep the torchlight we gave you. It might save you when you’re in danger.”


    Professor King approached me and verified the equipment on me. Then, he helped me put on the bag


    and patted my shoulder. “Come. I’ll team up with you.


    I was moved, and I thanked him. It was so reassuring to have him with me.


    “No need to thank me. Colin wasn’t supposed to attend the conference. I was the one who nominated


    him to the school. Colin has shown promising potential. Volunteer work has recently be a nice


    bonus when one wants to apply for a promotion.


    “Now, don’t say that I’m being vain or opportunistic. Academics like me are humans too. And I want my


    students to prosper.”