Chapter 348: Leave It to Fate
Alison sprinted, scanning around for cover — anywhere to disappear.
The pain in her feet became unbearable, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
Suddenly, a cluster of boulders caught her eye.
She decided to hide in the shadowy gap between two rocks.
Weeds tangled thick over the stones — the perfect cover.
She ducked toward the boulders. After hiding inside, she covered herself with the weeds.
“Edward, what the hell were you doing? Find her now! Or send your heads to Pierre!” the leader boomed.
Hidden beneath the overgrowth, Alison’s pulse raced — chaos was her only chance.
“Sorry, it’s my fault,” Edward told the leader, clearly frustrated.
“Get moving! No slacking off!”
“Should we call Pierre first?”
“No! Go find her first.”
“Everyone, hurry up and search!”
The group began scouring the brush, shouting to one another as they spread out.
As the men drew closer, she held her breath, closing her eyes.
“Check between those rocks. She might be hiding there,” the leader commanded.
Alison felt her heart leap to her throat. She curled up, pressing herself tighter against the base of the rock.
As the footsteps grew closer, she prayed silently, God bless me.
A pair of boots stopped right in front of her — so close she could smell the leather — but the man never looked down.
“Nothing here!” the guy finally reported.
“Nothing over there.”
“Same here.”
After about ten minutes, the group failed to find her and grew impatient.
“Buddy, call Pierre for help.”
“Yeah. Pierre has helicopters and search dogs. That woman won’t get away. Hurry up.”
Several men urged the leader.
Finally, the leader took out his phone and began dialing Pierre’s number.
Alison’s heart thundered.
What should I do?
“Pierre, that woman ran off while she was getting out to pee. Damn it! Your bloodhounds should work now. Otherwise, we’ll never find her,” the leader said over the phone.
Pierre must have been roaring on the other line.
“Yes, understood. We’ll stay put and keep a close watch on our surroundings. Hurry over.”
After reporting Alison’s escape direction, the leader hung up.
Then he took out his anger on Edward and the others.
“Damn it! Get down on your knees! Why did you help her escape?”
“Spare me! It wasn’t me!” Edward pleaded.
“Me either. Who knew that woman would sneak off?” the other man protested.
They began squabbling, turning on one another like cornered dogs.
The night grew deeper.
The men remained in place.
Trapped beneath the boulder, Alison could barely make out their voices anymore.
Her body had gone numb. She tried to shift, but failed — the space was far too cramped.