Chapter 43: Encounter in the Rainy Night
Roy looked at the darkening sky outside with some worry. "Ms. Lockwood, this company is pretty far away. Should we go now or wait until tomorrow?"
Time waits for no one. Atlas's deadline was approaching fast, and I couldn't wait any longer.
With that thought, I said directly, "Let's go now."
"Okay."
After Roy gave the driver the address, the car headed out.
The road got rougher and more isolated.
The sun had already set, and we were still in the middle of a deserted wilderness.
Atlas looked outside uneasily. "Roy, are we going the right way?"
Roy took out his phone and checked. "The route is correct. I can see this company is indeed in a remote location."
Hearing this, Atlas impatiently loosened his tie. "How much longer?"
"If everything goes smoothly, about an hour and a half."
"That long?"
I frowned and looked around. This place was completely deserted, but at least we had come out in an SUV, which could handle such steep mountain roads without any problem.
"Then let's hurry up and try to get there before dark."
Just as Atlas finished speaking, there was a loud boom, and the sky instantly filled with dark clouds.
"Looks like it's going to rain."
As soon as the driver spoke, heavy rain began pouring down.
"Go quickly, don't stop here."
It was already late summer. With such heavy rain, it would be quite cold at night. For the few of us in this deserted place, it really wasn't safe.
Hearing Atlas's words, the driver immediately became tense and drove the car forward.
The car bounced wildly along the mountain road, and the rain kept getting heavier.
The huge raindrops fell straight down like a waterfall.
I endured the jolting and gripped the door handle tightly.
"It's okay."
Suddenly, Atlas moved closer. He helped me fasten my seatbelt and held me tightly in his arms.
"Helena, don't be afraid."
Surrounded by warmth, my heartbeat calmed down a bit.
I reached out and gripped the hem of his clothes tightly, letting myself sway with the car.
Another clap of thunder sounded overhead. A huge lightning bolt lit up the road ahead, and Roy suddenly screamed, "Stop the car, stop!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud crash—the car hit a rock.
"Reverse, reverse!"
Roy shouted in panic. The driver let out a roar and quickly floored the gas pedal. The car made roaring sounds but wouldn't move an inch.
"Oh no, is there something wrong with the engine?"
Roy said, gritting his teeth. "I'll go out and check."
"No, you can't get out."
Just as Atlas finished speaking, there was a huge noise—a rock fell directly onto the roof of the car.
I screamed in fright and looked out the window in terror.
Only then did I see clearly—we were on a mountain road with a towering cliff on one side and a bottomless valley on the other.
As the thunder crashed, rocks kept rolling down from the mountain.
In front of our car was a huge rock—the obstacle we had just crashed into.
Seeing this, my face turned pale. I could hear the constant sound of rocks falling.
I looked up at Atlas. "We'll get out of here, right?"
"Yes, don't worry."
Atlas covered my ears and pulled me into his arms.
I looked up and saw his throat moving rapidly. His lips were pressed tight, and he said seriously to the driver, "Don't panic. Release the gas pedal, restart, and try again."
The driver did as told. After releasing the gas pedal and accelerating again, after a series of engine roars, the car started.
"Back up quickly!"
As Atlas spoke, there was another sound of falling rocks. After the noise, rocks fell directly onto the windshield, and rainwater rushed into the cabin.
The driver screamed, and the car swerved crookedly, crashing into the mountain wall before stopping.
"Oh no!"
Roy cried out. When I looked up, I saw the driver's arm was covered in blood.
"What do we do? Is it broken?"
Roy said, frantically taking off his shirt and pressing it against the driver's wound.
"Helena, I'm here. Don't be afraid. I'll definitely get you out safely."
Atlas said, kissing my forehead hard, then releasing me and saying to Roy, "Pull him aside, I'll drive."
"Okay."
Roy struggled to drag the unconscious driver onto himself.
In the cramped passenger seat, Roy held the driver tightly.
Atlas climbed into the driver's seat and stepped on the gas. Fortunately, the car could still move.
He put it in reverse, and the car slid backward.
Luckily, the rain had lessened considerably, but after the rockfall, the road was covered with debris.
The car swayed and bounced along roughly.
On one side was a deep abyss—one wrong move and we'd fall right in. I bit my lip to keep from screaming.
In the passenger seat, Roy held the unconscious driver, looking like he couldn't hold on much longer.
"Mr. Lancaster, we need to get to the back, or he'll be thrown out."
Atlas let the rain fall on his face, his expression serious. "I'll slow down in a moment. Take him to the back."
Then came another sudden brake. The car barely stopped in front of a rock. Atlas skillfully reversed, then the car scraped past the rock and rushed forward.
Just from these few movements, the driver was thrown against the front windshield, his body swaying precariously.
"Hold on tight."
I quickly bent down and grabbed the driver's legs. "Quick, let's pull him to the back together."
Hearing my voice, Atlas glanced at me. "Helena, don't be afraid."
At a time like this, what good would being afraid do?
I shouted at him, "Just drive properly. Whether we get out depends on you."
"If I can get you all out safely, will you agree to one request?"
Atlas's voice came to my ears.
Before I could answer, there was another jolt, and Roy said tearfully, "Agree! Ms. Lockwood, please agree to Mr. Lancaster!"
I gripped the driver's legs tightly, working with Roy to drag him backward.
"Helena, did you hear what I said?"
Seeing Atlas wouldn't let it go, I had to say, "I heard you."
"So if we get out smoothly, you'll agree to one request?"
Before I could speak, Roy cried out, "This is too scary! Ms. Lockwood, please agree to Mr. Lancaster. Getting out of here depends on Mr. Lancaster!"
Behind us came another sound of falling rocks, and my heart trembled.
Looking at Atlas, his clothes soaked through by the rain, I said, "Fine, I agree!"