Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Don’t worry. Mr. Clement sent us to keep you safe,” he said, out of breath, handing her a dust mask. “Got everything you need? We need to leave, now.”
Audrey hadn’t even had the chance to wonder when Cornell had organized this protection. She hastily put on the mask, and with a wave of panic, said, “I don’t feel like packing. Let’s go.”
In the midst of chaos, everything but life itself could be left behind.
Once Audrey was out of the room, she couldn’t help but glance back at the huge, black dust storm Looming overhead.
This enormous cloud of dust swallowed up everything, making it hard to see even a short distance ahead.
The air was thick with dust from the ground, choking her. Without her dust mask, breathing it in for too long might have been deadly.
She clutched her phone tightly and ran after the two men ahead of her.
Luckily, Audrey had thrown on a long shirt and pants over her pajamas for ease, so she didn’t look too out of place while running.
She hadn’t gone far when she heard the soft cry of a child. It was so faint, nearly drowned out by the surrounding chaos.
But ever since becoming a mom, Audrey had grown incredibly attuned to the sound of children’s cries. She stopped and realized the crying was coming from a distant building.
That building… Audrey’s face fell. A young boy lived there, left with his grandmother while his parents were away for work. The boy’s grandmother had trouble moving, making escape seem unlikely.
The threat of a mudslide loomed closer from behind.
Audrey thought of her own child, Janey, hesitating only for a moment.
But the boy’s soft crying tugged at her heart.
Determined, she tapped one of the guards on the shoulder and yelled, “Go ahead without me!” She knew she couldn’t ask anyone to risk their lives saving others with her.
After she spoke, she dashed toward the crumbling house.
The two guards didn’t think twice and followed her. They were quick to act, busting the door open even before Audrey could take a step.
Inside the boy’s house, darkness enveloped everything, yet the sound of his crying was unmistakable and clearer.
One of the guards flicked on the lights, revealing the boy’s grandmother lying on the floor unconsciously. Beside her, a little boy, about four or five years old, was crying, draped over her.
Recognizing Audrey as a kind-hearted figure, almost like an angel to him at this moment, the boy pled between sobs, “Please… Help my grandma…”
Audrey didn’t waste a moment. She gestured for the guards to take the boy’s grandmother out first.
Then, she went over to lift the boy.
As the guards carried the boy’s grandmother quickly outside, Audrey, picking up the boy, noticed his feet caught up in something.
On a closer look, she found a rope entangled around his feet. She pulled out a self-defense knife and began sawing through the rope with determination.
Meanwhile, an ominous noise grew louder and louder.
The boy trembled, voicing his fear, “I’m so scared…” He was worried that Audrey might leave him behind. He hadn’t seen his parents in ages. The thought of dying scared him…
Audrey sped up and comforted him, “Don’t worry. I’m right here with you!”
The rope was finally cut through.
Audrey let out a relieved breath and got up, holding the boy close.
Suddenly, a powerful force hit her.
The blast threw her against the wall, but she managed to stay on her feet. She realized the landslide was right there before them. Heading toward the landslide would be a bad idea. They’d get buried in no time.
Quickly making up her mind, Audrey put all her effort into running to the side, carrying the boy with her.
Once they’d covered some ground, she saw just how big the landslide was. The recent rains had loosened the soil, making it even more dangerous. No matter which way she thought of going, heaps of soil threatened to engulf them.
The boy was scared out of his wits. Clinging to Audrey, he cried non-stop, “I’m so scared…”
Audrey stroked his back, trying to sound soothing. “Stop crying. Your crying makes it hard for me to think.”
The boy froze and quickly stopped crying, not making a sound.
At that moment, Audrey felt her heart pounding. She knew she had to keep her cool. Panicking would just waste time and could make them take a wrong turn.
Audrey looked around, realizing they were trapped with no clear way out.
She scanned the area and her eyes settled on a tall tree. That tree looked ancient and had deep roots.
Audrey asked the little boy, “Can you climb trees?”
The little boy nodded.
Quickly, Audrey wrapped a volunteer’s red scarf around the boy, removed the dust mask and placed it on his face. Then, lifting him, she urged, “Hurry up and climb! Grab the thickest branch in the middle and hold on tight!”
The boy got the message and climbed.
Right when the boy made it to the top, the ground surged again, shaking the ancient tree with its force.
Audrey clung to the tree trunk. She’d lost her chance and couldn’t climb up now.
The soil soon covered her legs, knees, thighs… The dirt, mixed with chunks of rock, pained her with every hit.
Seeing Audrey hadn’t come up, the boy began to cry out of fear.
Clinging to a branch, he yelled, “Climb up fast! Quick!”
Audrey was pretty weak by then. She felt the tree slipping from her grasp slowly but surely. Yet, she held on with all her might.
Looking up at the boy, she forced a cheerful tone. “Don’t worry, kiddo. I’ll be okay. What’s your name?”
“My name is Misael.”
“Alright, Misael, listen to me closely.”
Misael nodded, waiting for Audrey’s next words.
“Wrap your arms around this tree and stay awake. Just hang on.
Someone will surely come for you. You’re not forgotten,” Audrey instructed.
“Okay,” Misael replied, tears gleaming in his eyes.
“Use this red scarf to signal if you hear any sounds. Make sure you’re visible. Got it?” Audrey added.
Tears filled Misael’s eyes, and he nodded vigorously.
Audrey felt overwhelmed by the force of the landslide, as if drowning in heavy mud, the pressure draining her strength gradually, as though all her breath was being squeezed out.
Struggling to get the words out, Audrey whispered, “Misael, If you come across a girl named Janey, that’s my daughter. Please tell her I love her so much. She’s the light of my life, and her coming into this world means everything to me…”
Her voice got fainter with each word.
Darkness encroached Audrey’s consciousness, her breathing seemingly stifled. She felt completely drained.
Audrey felt she lacked the strength to speak anymore. She seemed to be doomed this day.
Through the dimming consciousness, she could still hear Misael’s cries.
At the moment she felt submerged by the landslide, Audrey thought about all the people she hadn’t had the chance to bid farewell to.
Her father, her brother, Nicole, Elin, Annis… And Cornell. She regretted not having directly replied to his question. If only she had expressed her Longing for him…
Before losing consciousness, Audrey managed to force a smile. If her life was to end alone, she wished her final expression in this world would be a smile. Did fear grip her at this moment? Indeed, fear overwhelmed her. Not merely fear, but a deep regret for not bidding farewell to those dear to her.
Yet, if given another chance, Audrey knew for sure she wouldn’t Leave Misael behind. Despite the odds, she would still make the effort.
At the airport in Mccarthy.
Cornell, in his sharp black suit, standing tall like a sturdy pine, holding a bouquet of red roses. His elegant attire clashed oddly with the romantic gesture of the flowers.
Luis had advised sending flowers was the wise start of pursuing girls.
Cornell didn’t tell Audrey he got to the airport in Mccarthy ahead of time, planning to catch the same flight back home with her. He had arranged for Matteo to stay in Ardlens for Janey’s safety.
As soon as Cornell activated his phone after his land, it was bombarded with missed calls and alerts.
Among the flood of messages, an urgent news alert caught his attention. “A huge landslide hit Burwood, forcing people to evacuate.
We don’t know how many casualties there are yet…”
Cornell froze. The roses slipped from his grip and fell to the floor.