Chapter 263


    But my struggles were futile, the duct tape that bound me remained as tight as ever, showing no signs


    of loosening.


    I was gasping for breath, my heart beating painfully. I knew I couldn''t waste my energy in pointless


    struggles. I had to preserve my strength, cing my hope in their eventual rescue. I had fought, I


    reassured myself, there was no regret.


    In my mind, an image surfaced unbidden. A warm, soft bed bathed in gentle light, covered in a fragrant


    quilt. How I longed to take a good rest!


    On such a rainy night, there were likely no people outside. Even the celebratory feast should be over


    by now.


    It was even more quiet. The sounds of passing cars that were present just a while ago had gradually


    disappeared.


    I had no idea what time it was. God knows how much time had passed. I was in a hazy state, half


    asleep yet somehow fully aware.


    Suddenly, I detected faint footsteps gradually approaching me. I was instantly jolted awake. Every hair


    on my body stood at attention as I strained to listen for any movement outside.


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    Indeed, there were small noisesing, sounding like footsteps or perhaps a small animal, but it was


    still too faint. I struggled to keep my eyelids from drooping, my eyes fixated on the direction of the


    entrance of my confinement.


    A terrifying thought crossed my mind, could it be a snake? Then, I saw a child''s face, a real and vivid


    child''s face.


    I was instantly awoken, my eyes wide as I stared at the face. That face was too familiar, it was the face


    I had been longing to see these past days! Indeed, it was Evan''s face.


    I couldn''t believe my eyes, I stared hard, only to see the small child cautiously approaching me, then


    squatting in front of me. Our eyes met.Hisrge eyes were full of anticipation.


    I desperately tried to call his name, but only muffled sounds came out.


    I anxiously scanned him up and down, noticing his soaked clothes and the mud covering him. His face,


    however, was still clean, hisshes carrying droplets of water or perhaps tears.


    My eyes remained on his face, and he seemed to understand and carefully asked, "Mommy, why didn''t


    youe find me?"


    I choked on my tears, wanting to tell him how much I wanted to find him, how much I missed him!


    He seemed to understand my silent pleas. Suddenly his eyes filled with tears, pouring down his face.


    "Mommy, I''m scared, no one ising to save me... you aren''ting either. They didn''t give me food,


    they hit me, they won''t let me go home to find mommy. Mommy, you said you''d find me, but why


    haven''t youe? I''ve been waiting for you to find me..."


    His pitiful face, his pale crying face, and his whimpering voice were tearing my heart apart.


    I was filled with desperation, my muffled cries echoing my heart''s pleas. I continuously struggled to


    move closer to him, tofort him, to hold him. But he was just out of reach.


    I choked back my tears and told him, "Baby, don''t cry! Don''t worry, mommy wille find you. As soon


    as I get out of here, I''lle find you, I''ll bring you home! No matter what happens, mommy will find


    you."


    He seemed to understand, sadly shaking his head and slowly reaching out to pat my forehead.


    His hand was cold, chilling to the bone. "Mommy, you don''t have to find me anymore, I have to go


    now!"


    "No, don''t go, where are you going? Tell mommy where you''re going?" I pleaded desperately, my voice


    a hoarse scream, "Don''t go, ... wait here, someone wille to save us, please stay! Stay with


    mommy, okay?"