Xylia crouched on the ground, her arms wrapped tightly around her bag, watching as Joshua’s silhouette slowly disappeared into the darkness.

‘Why am I feeling so anxious all of a sudden?‘ Xylia thought, a nervous chill creeping through her heart.

Biting her lip, Xylia clung to her bag strap, obediently waiting for Joshua toe back.

Joshua moved a short distance away and paused, his silhouette barely visible in the dim light. Xylia squinted, uncertain what he was up to, when suddenly, he slipped into the dense jungle at the side.

‘My heart jumped–I couldn’t help but feel nervous, Xylia thought.

The only thing Xylia could hear was the faint rustling in the thicket. Soon after, Joshua emerged again onto the path, as if nothing had happened.

He flung his hand, scattering something onto the ground, his movements quick and purposeful.

Without hesitation, he rushed back, took Xylia’s hand, and the two of them hurried on down the trail together.

Joshua took the bag from Xylia and slung it over his shoulder.

Xylia couldn’t help but ask, “What did you just do?”

Joshua grinned and said, “I made a path, but it’s not for everyone. I left them a little surprise.”

Seeing Joshua’s cheeky grin, Xylia couldn’t help but feel sorry for whoever might be following them.

Joshua walked with calm confidence, unhurried by the threat of anyone chasing them from behind.

Before long, Xylia heard cries and screams erupting behind them, rising and falling through the forest.

All she could make out through the chaotic, garbled shouting were scattered cries about something slithering -snakes, maybe.

Xylia tightened her grip on Joshua’s hand.

Feeling her anxiety, Joshua turned to her.

He saw she was sweating bullets, her lips looked painfully dry and cracked, and her face was ghostly pale.

He pulled a bottle of water from his bag and handed it to her.

“Here, have some water. Rx,” Joshua said gently. “Those snakes? I sent them off on purpose to mess with whoever’s behind us. And don’t worry–I sprinkled realgar powder over us, so snakes won’te near.”

Xylia took a sip of water, nced at Joshua, and put on her bravest face. “Who’s scared? Not me.”

Joshua justughed and gave her hair a gentle ruffle. “Sure, sure. You’re the bravest

The howls behind them slowly faded away.

Xylia tiptoed after Joshua, carefully stepping in his tracks, her movements a little shaky.

“Will those peoplee after us?” Xylia asked.

“They shouldn’t catch up anytime soon,” Joshua replied.

All that racket was sure to bring out something nasty hunting for a meal.

It was a risky move, but Joshua didn’t have any other options.

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Not sure how long they’d been walking, but suddenly faint gunshots popped up in the distance behind them.

The forest was pitch ck, and the cold air was creeping in.

Xylia could feel the chill, and caught sight of Joshua, who was still dressed way too lightly, sweat still clinging to him.

‘If the wind picks up, he’s going to catch a cold,‘ Xylia thought.

“Joshua, are you cold?” Xylia asked softly, concern in her voice as she nced at his thin clothes.

“Not really,” Joshua said quickly, though he was a bit out of breath from their long trek.

“I’m actually feeling pretty warm–guess all this walking does the trick,” he joked, trying to reassure her.

Xylia was running on fumes.

But she knew the forest would only get more dangerous once night fell, so she kept quiet about her exhaustion and stuck close to Joshua, following him down the path.

After what felt like forever, Xylia’s legs were numb.

Suddenly, Joshua turned around, slung the backpack over Xylia’s shoulders, then crouched down and gave her a piggyback ride without asking.

“I’m fine, I can still walk…” Xylia murmured stubbornly.

“I’m feeling a little cold. Carrying you will keep me warmer, you know,” Joshua teased with a crooked smile.

Xylia went silent for a moment, then gently wrapped her arms around Joshua’s neck.

Noticing that Joshua wasn’t heading down the mountain and instead was moving toward a tter stretch, Xylia couldn’t help but ask,

“Aren’t we supposed to be going down the mountain?”

“Richard’s not the type to just send people chasing after us; he’d definitely try to block our escape too. This

b818 /b

way’s safer,” Joshua exined.

Xylia fell silent.

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Clinging to Joshua’s shoulder, Xylia felt exhaustion pulling her under–she was minutes away from drifting

off.

Joshua nced back, his voice firm but gentle: “Stay awake for now, Xylia–the mountain air’s way too cold.”

Xylia forced herself to focus, blinking hard to shake off the drowsiness.

‘I won’t sleep. Gotta hang in there, Xylia told herself, trying her best to sound tough.

Joshua kept talking to her, not giving her a chance to nod off–he wanted Xylia awake and alert.

Honestly, Joshua’s endurance was on a whole other level–he’d trekked all this way, now lugging her along like it was no big deal. He didn’t miss a step.

With one hand, Joshua brushed aside branches and vines, moving forward with steady, unwavering footsteps.

Xylia fought to keep her eyes open, focusing on the beam from her shlight and making sure Joshua wouldn’t trip.

Just as Xylia was about to doze off again, Joshua’s voice snapped her out of it. “We’re here.”

Xylia came to, shaking off the grogginess.

Joshua gently set her down, and a chill breeze swept over, making her sweat–soaked skin freeze and her whole body shiver.

Joshua squeezed her hand tight. “We’re out–it’s gonna be fine now.”

They came to another fence on the far side of the mountain.

Outside, it was nearly dark–thest rays of sunlight were slipping away.

Xylia watched as Joshua pulled out some tools and started breaking open the fence.

This was a fenced area covered by a mesh dome, and with a few quick snips of his pliers, Joshua cut a small hole through it.

“Let’s go,” Joshua said.

Joshua signaled for Xylia to slip through the opening first, keeping a close eye out as she went, before quietly ducking in behind her.

As soon as they got outside, Joshua instantly sensed something wasn’t right.

All around them, the rustling noises felt off–these weren’t from animals. If anything, it sounded way too much like people trying not to be found.

ru,

With a sudden, protective movement, Joshua yanked Xylia behind him.

Out of the bushes, a familiar figure appeared.

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Graham Green lookedpletely beat up–there were dead leaves stuck in his hair and scratches all over him, looking like he’d barely made it out alive.

Joshua instantly rxed the moment he recognized Graham.

“How’d you know I’d be over here?” Joshua asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Graham gave a quick shrug. “Come on, the whole mountain’s packed with Richard’s men. You’re not dumb enough to really head straight down, right?”

Relief shed across Graham’s face when he saw Joshua was safe. “I shook off Richard’s guys for nowi. /iCome on, stick with me, before they circle back.”

Xylia didn’t know Graham, so she just stayed right next to Joshua.

Joshua was about to carry her again, but Xylia insisted, “I’ve got a bit of strength back–I can walk by myself.”

Seeing Xylia was determined, Joshua didn’t argue.

He simply took her backpack and held her hand, following Graham down the path.

Graham led the way, and all the obstacles had already been cleared out, making things way smoother than before.

“In this forest, anyone whoes in almost never makes it out. You guys seriously didn’te across any wild beasts?” Graham asked, sounding skeptical.

He clearly didn’t believe it.

Joshua didn’t seem bothered by Graham’s doubt either. “Maybe we were just lucky.” fna58a The rightful source is find(?)ovel/fna58a

Other than some insects, snakes, and rats, we really hadn’t bumped into any big predators.

But as for those guys trailing behind us… well, I wouldn’t wanna be in their shoes right now.

Graham shot a look at Xylia, who’d barely said a word. She was practically white as a sheet, clearly worried sick about something.

He decided not to press her–better to leave it alone.

When they finally made it to the main road, there was already a car waiting for them.

The passenger window slid down, and the guy inside was the spitting image of Graham–clearly his brother. He gave Joshua a sly nod.

“Remember, Mr. Garcia, you’re in my debt now,” the guy teased.

b10:09 /bFri, bOct /bb3 /b

Joshua ignored him, just swung open the back door and guided Xylia into the car.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget what I owe you,” Joshua replied quietly.

Once Graham hopped in, the car took off down the mountain.

As soon as Xylia got in, she leaned into Joshua, not moving an inch.

Her clothes were soaked with sweat.

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Joshua slid down the divider between the front and back seats, reached into the back for a jacket, and passed it to Xylia with a gentle hand.

“Change into something dry and try to get some sleep,” he said, his voice soft and caring.

Xylia nced around but didn’t spot another jacket. “What about you?” she asked, concern flickering in her

eyes.

“We’ll be there soon,” Joshua replied. Noticing she still wasn’t moving, he teased her with a yful grin, “Want me to help you change?”

Xylia’s face turned bright red as she awkwardly epted the jacket, fumbling to get changed with a flustered air.

Afterward, she slumped against Joshua’s chest and, barely holding on, slipped straight into an exhausted sleep.

This whole ordeal hadpletely drained her.

Graham drove them straight to the heart of Daltonia’s capital city.

By the time they arrived, it was dead of night, and Xylia was fast asleep.

Joshua carefully carried her out of the car, turned to the Green brothers, and said, “Thanks, guys.”