Chapter 249 Don’t Die On Me
Not far ahead, a bridge spanned the river.
Lily knew, if James hadn’t made it out of the car, crossing or not crossing the bridge didn’t matter.
But if he had escaped, if he’d survived the crash, there was no way he would’ve climbed ashore right where the ambush happened. One man against a dozen–especially if he was injured–he’d nevere out alive
Most likely, he would’ve either swum downstream or gotten carried away by the current.
And the riverbank on the opposite side was lower, with mountain ranges right behind it–dense, Torested, perfect for hiding. Whether it <b>was </b>luck or strategy, if he was alive, he’d definitely head that way
In the distance, she could see flickering lights moving toward this side of the river.
Clearly, the attackers hadn’t found James in the car. They were already fanning our downstream to search for him.
That sliver of <b>hope </b>she had clung to–maybe, just maybe, it <b>wasn’t </b>in vain.
Her eyes burned.
James, you have to survive. I have to find you!
She wiped the corners of her eyes and forced herself forward, sprinting across the bridge.
“James…”
The men were still a good distance behind. They probably couldn’t hear her.
But just in case, she kept her voice low, barely whispering his name.
No answer.
<b>Almost </b>a kilometer of riverbank stretched ahead of her. In the dark, spotting a moving figure was nearly impossible.
But if there were lights, if someone used a shlight, it would stand out immediately.
She didn’t dare use her phone’s shlight. Instead<b>, </b>she ran in the dark, scanning the churning waters beside her with every step.
She ran for <b>what </b>felt like forever. Still, no sign of <b>him</b><b>. </b>
The ck river, the rustling trees, the heavy silence–it all pressed in around her. Her heart slowly sank into despair.
She was terrified that even if James <b>had </b>managed to escape the wreck, the freezing water might have imed him <b>anyway</b>.
“James, where are you? Can you hear me?”
14:14 <b>Wed</b>, 23 Jul
Chapter 249 Don’t Die On Me
Her voice cracked as it rose, trembling with panic<i>. </i>
She wanted to jump into the river, to find him herself.
<b>But </b>if she did that.. then what?
The river was too long, the current too fast. She had no idea where he might be.
She would never find <b>him</b>. She’d drown before she got close.
“Ahl
Lost in panic, she suddenly tripped over something,
She stumbled forward, then instinctively looked down–<b>and </b>froze.
It was a person.
James
Under the moonlight, she saw his face clearly, <b>and </b>her tears instantly fell like rain.
His body was ice cold.
His eyes were shut tight.
She called his name over and over again, but he didn’t move at all.
He looked… lifeless.
No….
Her <b>whole </b>body started shaking violently, tears, pouring down her face.
She didn’t even dare to check if he was still breathing.
But in the end, she forced herself to do it. She lifted her trembling hand and felt under his nose.
Thank God.
There <b>was </b>still the faintest trace of breath.
He was alive!
“James, wake up. Please wake up…
<b>She </b>pinched him hard, but his face didn’t even twitch.
He waspletely unconscious.
<b>And </b>the voices of those men were getting closer.
She wished he would suddenly open his eyes, tell her he was okay, tell her he’d be fine.
Chapter 249 Don’t Die On Me
But he was too far gone
He wasn’t waking up anytime soon.
There was no time left.
She braced herself, wrapped her arms around him, and tried to lift him onto her back
He was so damn heavy
She failed.
The two of them fell together onto the ground.
James couldn’t walk on his own. He was out cold.
If she couldn’t carry him, if she couldn’t get them out of here. then when those men caught up, they were both dead.
She clenched her <b>jaw</b>, pushed down the panic, and forced herself to try again.
Every ounce of strength in her body, she poured into lifting him.
Somehow, she <b>managed </b>to get him onto her <b>back</b>.
It felt like she was carrying a <b>mountain</b>.
Every step was agony. Her legs trembled. Her shoulders screamed.
But she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.
She had to keep going.
Luckily, the cave wasn’t far
She stumbled and staggered through the darkness, every inch of her body on the verge of copse.
But she kept going
And finally, she reached the cave.
The entrance was narrow. No way she could carry him inside like this.
She lowered him gently by the mouth of the cave, crouched down, and crawled inside.
Then she gritted her teeth and started dragging him in with her.
Behind them, the voices of the men echoed louder and louder.
James destroyed our operation! We lost so many brothers because of him–we’ll make him pay!”
“Hey! Look! The ground’s wét! There are footprints!”
Her skin crawled at the sound of their voices. Every word was filled with murder.
14:15 Wed, <b>23 </b>Jul
Chapter 249 Don’t Die On Me
The cave was deep. Wide, too, But the entrance was small, easily missed in the dark.
If they could just hide inside quietly… maybe they’d have a chance.
Lily hauled James deeper into the cave, heart pounding, praying no one had seen them.
<b>And </b>just outside, the monsters kept getting closer.