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The mountain hiking experience is nothing short of extraordinary—everything I could have dreamed of, every detail is breathtaking. I'm almost feeling like a true mountain boy myself when I notice a girl around our age. But she's clearly not from our school; if she were, I'd know her. She stands on a large rock by the river's edge, looking completely lost.
My heart races as, to my sheer horror, she suddenly jumps into the river. I'm left stunned and terrified, wondering why anyone would scale that treacherous rock, especially given the river's notorious danger on this side.
"Shit!" I muttered under my breath as I saw her jump, and without a second thought, I sprinted towards her. I knew I was breaking several rules at that moment—hiking policies and even risking friendships—but saving her life outweighed any potential consequences. Hastily, I climbed up the rock and scanned the area, but she was nowhere to be found. I dropped my bag, took a deep breath, and calculated the situation, realizing the very real possibility that I might not make it out alive, and my family might never find my body.
"100% chance of you dying painfully here," my brain replied, sending a shiver of fear and adrenaline down my spine. Despite the danger, there was also a strange sense of excitement. I might die trying to save her, but there was also a chance I could succeed.
Without hesitating further, I plunged into the river.
The waves crashed around me, their intensity nearly knocking me off balance as I entered.
My mum always told me I'd been swimming before I could even speak, and water had always been a source of comfort for me. It was one of the reasons I'd become so involved in sports. Normally, being in water brought me clarity, but in this moment, the turbulent waves made it impossible to focus. She couldn't have possibly drowned, could she?
Ugh, now I'm stuck being the witness to her fate—damn it! I shouldn't have acted so impulsively, but then again, what is Kiaan if not a series of rash decisions? Frustration and self-reproach flood me as I glance around desperately, struggling to see through the chaos.
My vision blurs with panic until I spot a rare-looking small fish, somehow serene amidst the raging current. I try to follow it, but a wave of guilt and urgency washes over me. My focus sharpens as I remind myself of my real mission: to find that girl and save her, no matter the cost.
I tried desperately to control myself against the relentless current, but it was hopeless. The force of the water drained every ounce of my energy, and I struggled fiercely before finally succumbing. As the water overpowered me, a wave of helplessness and despair enveloped me.
My consciousness began to slip away, and thoughts of Evyaan consumed me. He's going to be devastated—he'll be sick with worry. I should have told him what I was doing. God, I might not believe in you, but Evyaan does.
Please, if I don't make it out of this alive, don't let him blame himself. With every crashing wave, my vision blurred more, and I silently prayed for a miracle as darkness started to close in.
