"Essie, is that you?"

Roxanne was sure she hadn't imagined the sobs and felt a surge of hope.

Estella stopped crying when she heard Roxanne's voice. "M-Ms. Jarvis?"

Roxanne sighed with relief. She hurried toward Estella.

She had barely taken a few steps when she slipped.

Roxanne's heart leaped into her throat as she grabbed a large tree to steady herself.

Looking down, she saw Estella cowering at the bottom of a pit, partially hidden by dense plants.

"Essie?" Roxanne's heart ached at the sight of her.

Looking up at the light shining into the hole, Estella saw Roxanne smiling reassuringly. "Everything is okay now. I'm here." Roxanne felt guilty, but didn't want to frighten Estella further.

Estella's face was flushed from crying. Her eyes and nose were red, her cheeks smeared with dirt. Covered in grime, her head hung low; she looked pitiable.

"Ms. Jarvis" Estella cried harder after a few seconds, having waited so long for rescue. Roxanne was anxious as Estella wailed. "Don't cry, Essie. I'm going to find something to pull you up."

Roxanne searched for something to help her. She consoled Estella while she looked.

Unfortunately, Estella was crying so loudly that she couldn't hear Roxanne.

Roxanne finally found a sufficiently long tree branch. After testing its length, she realized Estella could reach it if she tiptoed.

"Estella, stop crying. Come here and grab this branch. I'll pull you up." Roxanne's voice was hoarse from yelling. Clearing her throat, she spoke more audibly. Estella looked up, wiped her tears, and tiptoed.

However, she couldn't quite reach the branch.

Roxanne frowned, crawled forward, and pushed the branch further into the hole.

Now Estella could grasp it.

After Estella grabbed the branch, Roxanne pulled with all her might. However, weakened from a night of starvation and a long walk, she lacked strength. Estella, too weak to cooperate fully, remained stuck. As they both pulled, Roxanne was pulled forward, half her body hanging over the edge.

Noticing Roxanne's precarious position, Estella let go of the branch and cried out, "Ms. Jarvis!"

Roxanne grabbed a tree root. She smiled gently at Estella. "Don't be scared, Essie. I'm fine."

While saying this, she tried to climb back up.

Estella suddenly screamed hysterically.

Heartbreak filled Roxanne. She saw Estella sitting on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Estella's sobs gradually subsided, her breathing shallowing.

Overwhelmed by panic, Roxanne's grip loosened. She fell into the pit.

Tears streaming down her face, Estella threw herself into Roxanne's arms.

Roxanne hugged the girl, guilt overwhelming her as she felt Estella's cold body.

If only I had brought her with me that afternoon, or found her sooner…

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