Sidney glanced at the looming mountain. The rain-softened soil looked ready to collapse. He shouted, "Get out of the car and run into the fields, now!" However, only he and the young girl, Zoe, seemed alarmed. The others remained unmoved.
"Isn't this normal? It happens every rainy season," someone commented. "Young people these days are spoiled, getting worked up over nothing." Faint snickers followed.
Zoe was about to explode, ready to run herself. Seeing the others' apathy, Sidney grabbed the nearest passenger's bag, pulled Zoe from the bus, and dashed away.
The man whose bag was snatched roared, "Get them! Get them!" The passengers, all acquaintances, gave chase.
As Sidney pulled her along, Zoe exclaimed, "That's an impressive move!"
Sidney chuckled. "Watch your step. Don't get distracted."
They ran until both were gasping for breath. Sidney tossed the bag aside. The man went to retrieve it, ready to confront them, when a thunderous boom echoed. Countless rocks and a torrent of mud cascaded down, burying the bus.
Everyone's faces paled. A wave of guilt and gratitude washed over them as they realized their narrow escape. "Sorry," they mumbled to Sidney and Zoe.
Zoe, pouting, ignored them, turning to Sidney. "Are you coming with me? I know the way out."
"Sure," Sidney replied, following her. The passengers, being locals, posed no concern.
Fortunately, a field bordered the mountain path. They trampled some crops, but otherwise remained safe—for now. The landslide could easily turn into a mudflow. They needed to contact the outside world for evacuation.
"My name is Zoe Stevem. What about you?"
"Sidney Pauley."
"The rain is too heavy. We need to find shelter."
Dark clouds rolled in, and a thunderstorm raged. Drenched to the bone, with no service on their phones, they were trapped, far from any village.
Sidney chuckled, teasing. "Aren't you supposed to know the way? I only followed you because you seemed so familiar with the route. Don't tell me you're lost too?"
Zoe admitted, "Every road here looks the same… I clearly remember this place, but things don't feel right…" She paced anxiously. "Sorry, should we turn back?"
Turning back was pointless. Sidney sighed. "Follow me."
The dim light was manageable, but the relentless rain was unbearable. They would soon become exhausted and ill. Finally, they spotted a dilapidated building.
"Let's take shelter there," Sidney said.
The building was abandoned, with no door and piles of wood and rusty tools inside. Zoe sneezed from the dust. Sidney, despite the filth, cleaned a space, making it barely habitable.
Zoe shivered from the cold. Sidney started a fire. Then, turning away, he said, "Take off your wet clothes and dry them by the fire."
Zoe was stunned. Alone with him, undressing seemed risky. She clutched her pepper spray, hesitated, and then slowly undressed.
Apart from the wind and thunder, only the rustling of clothes was heard. Sidney remained turned away. Zoe relaxed.
A burning ember sparked onto her hand. She screamed in pain. Sidney turned, seeing her partially undressed.
Three seconds of silence followed, then Zoe screamed, grabbed her pepper spray, and roared, "You scoundrel!" She accidentally sprayed herself.
"Ah! Help!" she cried, rolling on the ground in pain, unable to open her eyes.
Sidney wanted to laugh but knew the pepper spray could harm her eyes. He pulled off his wet clothes, held her down, and began to wipe her eyes.
Zoe's face and eyes were red and swollen. She sat silently, pitiful and helpless.
Sidney, momentarily speechless, coughed. "Well, actually, I'm a doctor…"
Zoe, ashamed and indignant, glared. "I command you to forget it. Why are you bringing it up again?"
Sidney feigned amnesia. "Hey, it seems like I've lost my memory! I can't remember anything at all!"
Zoe glared resentfully, her anger subsiding. The incident broke down the formality between them.
Meanwhile, ten miles away, Tiffany and Richard were stranded on a small road completely blocked by a landslide. The removal of the promotional material for FindNovel.net was also completed.