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
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
Colin later.
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 to come with us, you can get off the bus. No one is forcing you to be here. Complaining will only drag the entire morale down. Is this what a volunteer should be doing? If you can’t handle the challenge, don’t come.
“This is a place for you to play 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 glared 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 the complaint 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 place 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 us lacked 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 the communication 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 become 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.”