Chapter 136
Every landscape twisted before my eyes, dissolving into streaks of color.
My body tumbled and crashed, sliding down at breakneck speed.
Until a sharp pain struck my back, and I completely lost consciousness.
When I came to, I found myself sprawled on a jutting platform.
Three sides were sheer cliffs—only behind me was a cave entrance.
I tried to move, but my entire back erupted in tearing pain.
I was about to pause when a water droplet landed on the back of my hand.
Mountain weather was unpredictable.
I knew it was going to rain.
I couldn't stay here. I had to get to the cave.
Gritting through the pain, half-dragging, half-crawling, I finally made it to the cave entrance.
Inside was pitch black, unknown terrors flooding toward me from all sides.
I didn't dare go deeper, only resting at the mouth of the cave.
Rain suddenly poured down.
Massive droplets, heavy with moisture, slammed against my face.
The cold burrowed straight into my bones.
I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself.
At least I'd worn my protective gear today—I wasn't freezing yet.
But with sheer cliffs all around, I had no idea if Amelia had found anyone to rescue me.
With rain this heavy, would anyone even attempt it?
The extreme environment and weather were hard enough to endure without being injured and facing constant unknown dangers.
No matter how much I tried to tell myself not to be afraid, fear crept in anyway.
I suppressed the sob in my throat, belatedly remembering I had my phone. I fumbled in my pocket.
But when I pulled it out, hope shattered instantly.
The screen was completely cracked. It wouldn't turn on.
I stared at the pitch-black night, listening to the wind howling at the cave entrance, my heart plummeting into a bottomless abyss.
Was I... going to die here?
The thought sent ice through my veins.
No. I couldn't die!
My parents were waiting for me to come home.
The Royal Ballet had just sent me an invitation. I hadn't joined yet, hadn't stood on the stage I'd dreamed of.
And there was Leo...
As I recalled Leo, Leopold's face flashed unexpectedly through my mind.
My back was cold and aching. I had to hug myself tighter.
Leopold was probably with Sophia right now, keeping watch over Donovan.
How pathetic.
In this desperate moment, I was still thinking about him.
"Lucinda Wipere!"
Suddenly, a voice cut through the rain, echoing in the howling wind.
But with the storm raging, the sound was diluted, somewhat indistinct.
I wasn't sure if I'd heard correctly.
"Lucinda Wipere, can you hear me?"
The voice came again.
This time closer—I could make out the echo.
My hands braced against the cave entrance as I struggled to stand.
But I couldn't pinpoint where they were, so I could only shout toward the opening.
"I'm here!"
I called out twice, but got no response.
Afraid they'd leave, I dragged my body into the rain, shouting louder.
"I'm Lucinda Wipere!"
"I'm here!"
The torrential rain lashed like whips against my body.
The pain in my back intensified, nearly making me collapse.
I waited and waited, but silence surrounded me.
My anxiety spiked.
"Is anyone there?"
"I'm here..."
I called over and over, but no one answered.
Had they left?
Would no one come to save me?
Despair spread through my chest.
Disheartened, my head suddenly spun. It felt like all my strength drained away as I collapsed to the ground.
This time, I didn't even have the energy to struggle.
I closed my eyes, waiting for death.
Suddenly, I heard a strange sound.
"Lucinda, is that you?"
Then a familiar voice came from above.
It sounded like Leopold.
I wanted to open my eyes, but my eyelids were too heavy.
"Lucinda."
The voice drew closer, trembling slightly.
I immediately dismissed the thought. Even if Amelia could convince Leopold to send people to find me, he wouldn't risk himself.
It wasn't Leopold. Was it Leo?
Only Leo would brave the danger to save me.
And that voice did sound more like Leo's.
Just then, I felt someone lift me up.
They called my name while patting me urgently.
"Wake up, Cindy. Open your eyes and look at me."
I forced my eyes open.
A beam of light swept over from the side, bathing both of us in its glow.
After my eyes adjusted for a couple of seconds, I finally saw who was holding me.
It was Leopold!
"Cindy, I finally found you. You have no idea how frantic I was when I heard you'd fallen off a cliff."
Leopold spoke as he crushed me to his chest.
The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, mixing with rainwater down my face.
"Why did you come?"
I'd thought it was Leo.
Leopold understood the unspoken second half of that sentence. His body went rigid, and he released me, staring intently.
"Who did you think would come save you?"
I didn't continue that topic, quietly reminding him instead.
"You're hurting me."
Leopold's expression shifted immediately, and he quickly loosened his grip.
The next second, his voice changed completely.
"Where are you hurt?"
I followed his gaze down and saw his fingertips covered in blood. My pupils contracted.
"Probably my back."
"Come on, I'm getting you out of here."
Without hesitation, Leopold removed the carabiner from his harness and secured it to me.
To avoid aggravating my injury, he even took off his jacket to cushion my back.
"Lucinda, promise me you won't fall asleep until we get you up."
My eyes were being battered by rain—I could barely keep them open.
But I still caught the worry and panic in his eyes.
Just looking at him, even I could almost believe he truly loved me.
But in reality...
"Leopold, be careful yourself."
Leopold nodded, then picked up the flashlight beside him and flashed it several times.
The people above responded with the same pattern.
Then I felt a tightness around my waist as the ropes on either side of my hips pulled taut.
They were hauling me up.
I'd only risen about ten feet when the rope caught on a rock.
I hung suspended in midair, unable to go up or down, panic flooding through me.
Leopold noticed immediately and grabbed the flashlight to signal.
The light above blinked back several times.
I didn't understand what it meant.
When I looked down at Leopold again, I saw him backing up—like he was preparing to make a running start.
Realizing his intention, I quickly called out.
"Leopold, don't move!"
The rain-soaked cliff face was wet and slippery. Forget grabbing on—even just bracing against it would be nearly impossible.
He didn't even have a rope. Free climbing would get him killed!
"Don't be scared. I'll be fine."
Leopold's voice was calm and steady. With a running start, he launched himself up to just below my feet.
One hand locked onto a protruding rock while the other searched desperately for the next handhold. Within moments, he'd climbed to my knee level.
"Give me your hand."
At his words, I quickly extended one hand.
Just as my fingertips were about to touch his, the rock he was standing on suddenly shifted.
His entire body slipped downward.
My heart stopped cold. I screamed.
"Leopold!"