Eagle’s gaze became evasive right then, but he soon composed himself. “Your mother asked me to bring it to you.”
As Abigail took it, she asked, “Why are you getting nervous? I wasn’t doubting you.”
“I’m not nervous, ma’am,” Eagle replied.
Abigail, however, was clearly skeptical—he was clearly being antsy just now.
“Are you not used to this place yet?” she asked.
“…A little,” Eagle admitted.
“You’ll get used to it eventually,” Abigail told him. “Just call me if something comes up.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Eagle replied, while Abigail returned to the dining table.
This time, Sheryl did not force her to eat again and instead poured her a glass of water.
She took a sip when Pierre approached her, saying, “There’s someone here to see you, Mrs. Althoff.”
Abigail thought it would be James, so she headed to the front door… only to find that it was Zachary Slate.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in curiosity.
“James told me about what happened to Diarmuid,” he replied, his expression grim. “I came to help.”
As Abigail nodded, Zachary asked, “Still no news yet?”
Abigail shook her head. “James and I are prepared to survey the wreckage.”
“I’m coming along,” Zachary said right then.
Abigail did not refuse, since she needed more people right now.
When James arrived, Abigail spoke to Eagle and Pierre before leaving.
James had arranged a helicopter for them, since the wreckage was in Dunesia.
Driving would take too long, and this would save more time.
The helicopter they were riding fit four, which was just right for the pilot, Abigail, James, and Zachary.
Even as the rotors turned deafeningly overhead, no one spoke throughout the journey as they were all silent.
Words were not needed before they found Diarmuid.
Zachary wanted to offer Abigail some reassurance, but the right words simply would not come, and he kept quiet.
Over two hours later, the helicopter landed.
Standard plane flights would take just over an hour, but they needed to land directly on the edge of Bagoria, which was further. There was also the speed difference in passenger flights and the helicopter.
The climate there was cold, but there were plenty of people.
Darcy’s Peak was the highest mountain of Dunesia, standing at almost 10,000 feet above sea level. Towering and majestic, there were plenty of glacier lakes on the ridges, making it a favorite spot for hikers and tourists.
James had prepared windbreakers for the climate, and after getting off the helicopter, they headed to the wreckage.
Dunesia’s search and rescue teams were already there, working alongside volunteers from the Zidonian embassy.
Once they pinpointed the location where the plane crashed, they searched a wide area around the wreckage, though they only found debris and no human remains.
There were supposed to be two pilots aboard, in addition to Stan Hill and Diarmuid.
One of James’s men approached them and reported, “Nothing yet.”
But there were no signs of them at all, let alone a corpse.
Abigail remained at the foot of the mountain because there was a police line, and personnel not involved in the search were barred from entering.
She did not even feel the chilly winds billowing. “Keep looking.”
As she had decided to personally join the search, James spoke to the police while Zachary stayed at Abigail’s side.
There was no clear path up Darcy’s Peak, making traveling difficult, but fortunately the trees were sparse.
However, Abigail noticed none of that as she strode ahead, not sparing a glance at the view that so many people were enjoying.
No picturesque view could draw her attention now because her heart and mind were set on one person.
All she could hope for was to find Diarmuid soon, and she told herself that miracles could happen even in a plane crash!
“Mrs. Althoff!” James was exclaiming as he suddenly ran up to them. “The Dunesians found someone!”
“Where?!” Abigail asked urgently.
“It’s quite a distance,” James said. “We have to foot it.”
“Alright, let’s go,” Abigail said urgently. “Take me there.”
It was fine if it was far. She wanted to see if it was Diarmuid right away!
With the Dunesians leading the way, they strode through the pathless mountain and climbed up the mountain.
Along the way, Abigail missed a large rock beneath her foot and slipped, bending her foot in an odd angle.
As she gasped in pain, Zachary asked from behind her, “Are you alright?’
“I’m fine,” Abigail said, shaking her head—she would not delay the others.
However, her ankles hurt, and she thought it might be a sprain.
The skies overhead were turning dark, but they trudged along with their flashlights.
The trek remained difficult as ever, and they would spot debris from the wreckage from time to time.
Abigail tried her best not to look, so as to calm herself.
Soon, it was night, and their environment was much quieter and colder.
Even so, they were all sweating after walking for so long.
“We’re here,” James said, pointing to a spot ahead that was illuminated brightly.
Abigail also spotted the body that was covered under a large piece of white cloth and dashed forward to pull it off.
The man was dead with a foot missing, his face thoroughly charred.
However, judging from his body’s build and height, it was not Diarmuid.
Abigail heaved a sigh of relief, though she tensed up at the same time as well.
If this man ended up like this, what about Diarmuid?
The thought scared her so much she stumbled a couple paces backward, and Zachary had to quickly catch her. “Abigail?”
Abigail dropped to a couch and rasped, “Let’s keep looking.”
“Everyone is,” both James and Zachary said.
Vision was poor at night up on Darcy’s Peak, and they had to rely on flashlights.
Both the Dunesians and volunteers from the Zidonian embassy stopped as midnight approached, but Abigail refused.
She did not seem to tire, and she continued her search with a crazed fervor.
They found another body, confirming that both corpses were the captain and co-pilot.
Meanwhile, Abigail still had not slept or eaten ever since she was told that Diarmuid was missing.
Her eyes were dry and cracked, her eyes unfocused—she could not even look sad now.
All she felt was fear—she had seen countless gruesome sights as a doctor, but she felt utter fear this time.
She was worried that she would find Diarmuid in the same state.
Suddenly afraid to continue searching, she curled up as she sat beneath a huge tree, hugging her legs as she spaced out.
Zachary felt the grimness of the situation as well.
However, even if he and the rest felt a mental blow after finding the two corpses, they continued searching.
“Eat something,” he told Abigail, but she continued to space out in silence.
He put down some food and a bottle of water in front of her. “Drink, if you won’t eat.”
Abigail still stayed silent, and Zachary became flustered. “You won’t change anything even if you torment yourself like this. What would happen to Tommy and your baby if something happens to you?!”
Abigail finally turned to Zachary just then, but she was still at a loss. “I’m scared, Zachary. I’m so scared…”
That they would find Diarmuid a cold, dead corpse.
Zachary was unable to offer any reassurance, because from present circumstances alone, there was no hope at all.
He rasped, “That’s exactly why you should be pulling yourself together!”
Abigail wiped the corner of her eyes just then, though she only made a mess.
Sniffling, she cried, “Do you think he’s fine, Zachary?”
Zachary was well aware that there might be no miracles here, but he assured her regardless. “He’s born lucky. He probably got off scott free.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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