Those bastards sure were fast runners.
Above, the helicopter had already spotted them. The person standing at the cabin door and peering <b>down </b>anxiously appeared to be Stanley.
The ropedder had been lowered, swaying wildly with the helicopter’s movements and the <b>wind</b>.
Felicia nced <b>at </b>the distance and noticed <b>there </b>was still quite a way to go before they could reach thedder. However, they were running out of time.
The copse above <b>was </b>worsening by the second. In less than two minutes, <b>this </b>ce would turn into <b>a </b>wastnd of rubble.
With Stephan gripping her hand and pulling her forward, Felicia felt she was already running at her limit, but his speed was even faster. Her feet barely <b>touched </b>the ground. She felt as though she were a kite being dragged along by him.
Dust, sand, <b>and </b>fragments of debris whipped at her face, clinging to her hair and clothes.
Felicia was out of breath, but she <b>had </b>no choice but to keep going. She gritted her teeth to endure.
And right at that moment<b>, </b>a massive boulder plummeted from above.
In that instant, Stephan grabbed Felicia <b>and </b>dodged to the side. Although his reaction <b>was </b><b>lightning</b>–fast, the impact wave still caught them both and sent them tumbling
As they hit the ground, Felicia heard Stephan grunt in pain.
For a brief moment, the copse paused. Stephan shielded Felicia with his body, protecting her from the scattered debris. Several rocks had struck <b>his </b><b>back</b>.
Felicia reached out instinctively, trying to shield him, even if it was futile<b>. </b>
“Are you hurt?” Felicia asked, feeling regretful. If she hadn’t gone down the canyon, Stephan might have already escaped with Stanley and the others.
“I’m fine<b>. </b>Don’t worry.”
He rested his <b>head </b>lightly against her neck as he took <b>a </b>couple of deep breaths, Warm air <b>brushed </b>against her skin, making her neck Itch slightly.
She flinched reflexively.
It triggered <b>a </b>soft chuckle from Stephan, his tone stillzy but tinged with helplessness. “What’s this, little troublemaker? <b>Did </b>youe down here to die with me?<b>” </b>
“L‘
Felicia wanted to exin that she hade to warn him, but it was clear now that her efforts <b>had </b>been pointless. The explosions above were powerful enough that even the deaf wouldn’t miss. Whether or not she hade, it wouldn’t have changed a <b>thing </b>
So<b>, </b>she simply shut up.
Stephan pinched the soft flesh at her waist yfully, then pushed himself <b>up</b>, pulling Felicia to her feet <b>as </b>well. He leaned in closer<b>, </b>then chuckled softly. “By the <b>way</b>, I’m quite touched.”
She was <b>rendered </b>speechless by his antics.
The <b>two </b>didn’t linger much before Stephan grabbed her hand again, and they resumed running. This time, their path was smoother, <b>and </b>they quickly <b>reached </b>the spot beneath the ropedder..
The helicopter <b>had </b>descended, lowering its altitude. While thedder didn’t quite touch the ground, it was close enough for them to jump up and grab it.
“Go up <b>first</b>,” Stephan instructed.
He <b>gave </b>Felicia a boost, and she suddenly felt weightless. With the ropedder within <b>arm’s </b>reach, she quickly grabbed hold of it and then <b>looked </b>down at Stephan, who <b>was </b>right below her.
When the boulder <b>had </b>fallen earlier, the force of the st had thing them both through the air. Stephan had clearly been <b>injured </b><b>and </b>even let out a muffled groan earlier. But <b>his </b>expression remainedpletely <b>calm</b>, as though nothing had happened.
However, Felicia could see blood trailing down beneath him, staining the ground.
It was eerily simr to the dream she once had.
Her pupils contracted sharply in shock!
At that moment, a more intense tremor shook the ground. The massive explosion triggered a chain reaction, <b>and </b>the towering canyon <b>walls </b>on both sides began to crack and crumble.
With a deafening boom, countless boulders started cascading down.