Day 2 of Mission- [Mei's POV]
My skin felt feverish, engulfed in an oppressive heat as I watched the massive boulder hurtle downwards, instinctively creating a barrier that cut off Senior Tuan and Sulie from our group. Time seemed to stretch as everything around me became distorted; my vision blurred, reminiscent of a watercolor painting left to the mercy of a downpour. The clang of chaos surrounded me, but just then, I felt a firm tug on my shoulder.
Before I could process the sudden motion, I was forcibly turned to face someone—Hai. His lips were moving, and I could tell he was speaking urgently, but his words were swallowed by a muffled haze that enveloped me, as though I were submerged underwater. The frantic energy in the air was palpable, and my senses felt overstimulated.
Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of Hai's lips, desperately trying to convey a message meant for me. Just as quickly, his voice boomed with authority, slicing through the confusion. He issued sharp orders to the rest of the team, and without hesitation, they formed a line, their collective determination evident as they sprinted back toward the entrance we had initially come through. I could feel Hai's grip tighten around my arm, compelling me to follow him.
As I dashed forward, the heat coursing through my body simmered irritatingly, like being trapped in a furnace with the air growing thick and stifling. Hai frequently glanced back at me, his expression filled with concern as he ensured I could keep pace. My feet moved in rhythm with a growing sense of urgency, and just as we neared the entrance, he released my arm. I pressed on, thick with discomfort yet insistent that I didn't fall behind.
We rushed past the entrance, urgency propelling us onward as we continued our arduous trek back to the base. With every hurried step, my breathing grew increasingly ragged, as if invisible hands were tightening around my throat, constricting my air supply. The world around me began to fade further into obscurity, with trees and rocks dissolving into an indistinguishable blur, the lines between them fading like a fog.
I fought to maintain my pace on the treacherous cliff path, but a gut-wrenching feeling of impending collapse surged through me, a relentless whisper in the back of my mind. "Mei, keep moving! If you fall from these cliffs, it's all over!" I urged myself, staving off panic to stay focused. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Chouxiaba, who is always hanging around Sulie, and I could see her faltering, slowly falling behind the rest of the team.
The path was unforgiving, hardly wide enough for two people to traverse side by side, and now she was right beside me. I deliberately ignored her presence, pushing myself forward with every ounce of willpower I had left, desperate to reach the safety of the base and uncover the source of my disquiet. As I brushed past her, a surge of urgency propelled me to distance myself; I didn't want her possible distractions to derail my concentration at such a crucial time.
Then, out of nowhere, a powerful force slammed into my back, sending me reeling off balance. Another brutal shove to my shoulder knocked me completely off my feet, the ground beneath me seeming to vanish as gravity seized me in its fierce grip. My heart raced, panic coursing through me as I gasped, the abyss yawning below me. In those terrifying moments as I began to fall, I caught a glimpse of Chouxiaba standing there, a sinister grin curling her lips, before she turned away, leaving my world to darken as reality faded into blackness.
3 months passed.
Three months had passed since I last saw the village. As I waved goodbye to the people who had enveloped me in their warmth and affection, the sunlit landscape behind me shimmered with memories both joyful and bittersweet. With a deep breath, I turned around to find the village where Lin and I had spent so many wonderful days together.
As I began my descent down Kang Mountain, I noticed how effortlessly I glided down the rocky path. There was no exertion or heavy breathing, just fluid movement as I joked to myself, "Easy." The mountain was beautiful, the scenery breathtaking, with vibrant greens and the distant calls of wildlife all around me.
Descending further, I glanced at the sun hanging high in the sky—it was well into the afternoon. A warm smile spread across my face as pride swelled within me. I had managed to navigate the challenging slope with grace—something that would have taken the average person weeks to accomplish.
As I continued my descent, the outline of the village began to appear in the distance, the familiar rooftops and bustling streets stirring memories of laughter and companionship. When I reached the entrance, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of a familiar figure peeking out from behind the bushes. It was Leo, crouched down and trying to hide as if he were playing a game.
As I observe Leo, it feels as though my nephew is looking right back at me, our faces reflecting each other's features. His tousled curls, a perfect replica of those worn by his mother when she was young, frame his face beautifully. The large, expressive grape like eyes he inherited from my brother sparkle with curiosity and mischief, reminding me so much of his father. Yet, it isn't just their physical traits that connect them; it's also the infectious personality Leo possesses, brimming with energy and charm, which mirrors my brother's own vivacious spirit. Every thoughtful glance and playful smile transports me back in time, creating a vivid reminder of family ties that run deep.
"Auntie Phina!" Leo laughs, "That's not fair! You're cheating!" He yells from his hiding spot behind a tree. "You can't call my mom and yell for me to come home. You need to search for me fair and square!"
With a cheeky grin, I stick my tongue out at him from my hiding spot behind my sister-in-law, who is stand outside the warm, inviting glow of our family home. The smell of dinner wafts through the air, as she calls to Leo, her voice a blend of authority and warmth. "Leonard, come back! Dinner's ready and it's getting late!"
She turns toward me, her eyes sparkling with a secret shared between sisters, and gives me a playful wink that makes my heart swell. With a burst of energy, Leo springs from his hiding place, his laughter spilling into the air like music as he races towards us, his little feet pounding against the soft earth, dodging imaginary foes and triumphantly declaring his escape.
As we make our way home, the three of us woven together in a tapestry of laughter and joy, I savor each moment. The cool evening breeze brushes against our skin, and the chorus of crickets begins to serenade us as the sun sinks lower on the horizon. I can feel the bonds of family wrapping around us, creating warm memories that I will cherish long after the last echoes of laughter have faded.
Just as I got closer to him, I accidentally stepped on a dry twig, which snapped loudly under my foot. The sharp noise startled Leo, and his head shot up to see where it had come from. His eyes widened in shock as he took in my presence, and he stood frozen for a moment, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
I couldn't help but smile at his adorable, wide-eyed expression and let out a soft laugh. The moment seemed to break the tension, and Leo promptly darted toward me, stopping right in front of me. He looked up with a bright eagerness, his demeanor reminiscent of a puppy wanting to be petted.
I ruffled his hair. "Leo, did you run away from home again?" I asked teasingly, a grin on my face.
His expression shifted, and he looked up at me with wide eyes. "Sister Tanghulu," he said softly, "I thought you were gone." His voice dropped to a whisper for the last word. I noticed tears glistening in his eyes, ready to spill over. "Sister Kooky said... said that there was an accident and you... were gone forever..."
For a moment, I was taken aback. I thought to myself, "I was only gone for three months; he acts as if I've been away for three years." My heart ached for him. "This sweet cutie," I mused, feeling a rush of affection. I patted his head again, suddenly aware that he had grown taller than I remembered.
He once barely reached my hip, but now he was standing at my shoulder. "Leo, what have you been eating?" I asked with a playful smile. "You're a lot taller than I remember."
"Sister Tanghulu," he hiccuped, holding back tears, "when you left, I was only six…I'm already nine now. I'm a big boy!" His determination to sound grown-up tugged at my heartstrings.
I looked at him, my smile softening, thinking, "This little cutie is trying to joke with me despite his tears." I didn't want to make him cry anymore; his distress made it feel as if I had indeed been away for much longer, as if I had returned from the dead. I chuckled quietly to myself.
Leaning down, I patted his head gently, wanting to soothe the hurt he felt. "Sister is back. Do you still want to eat tanghulu with me, now that you're a big boy?" I asked, my voice filled with warmth.
He nodded eagerly, a single tear slipping down his cheek, leaving a trail on his soft skin.
"But you have to promise me that you won't cry, okay?" I said gently, smiling at him as he wiped his eyes with his sleeves, determined to keep his promise.
His expression brightened, and he reached out, taking my hand with his soft, chubby fingers. "Sis..." he started, his voice filled with a mixture of joy and relief, and I could feel the warmth of that moment wrapping around us.