Denise couldn't hold on much longer.
She was freezing, hungry, and tired. At that moment, she just wanted to shut her eyes and fall asleep. If I sleep now, I might never wake up again.
Daddy, Nat, Tony, Ben, Great-grandpa, and Gramps... I miss you guys so much!
Gradually, Denise's eyes closed, and she was starting to lose consciousness.
Right before her eyes closed, Denise heard Kenneth shouting, “You must hang in there, Denise!”
Denise's eyes suddenly flew wide open. “Daddy?” she murmured.
She then looked around and saw nobody else. No! I can't fall asleep! I mustn't! Daddy and Mommy are looking for me! I can't just fall asleep! I must find a
way to tell them I'm here!
With that thought, Denise tried her best to stay conscious and stood up. I must go to the cave entrance and tell them I'm here!
Denise was exhausted, and she could feel pain radiating through her body every time she moved a muscle.
Even so, Denise forced herself to get up. While holding on to the stone wall, she slowly made her way out of the cave.
When she arrived at the cave entrance, she could see helicopters hovering over the other caves. No matter how loud I shout, they 'll never hear me. Besides, I don't have the energy to shout. What should I do?
As she was thinking about what to do, she saw a piece of torn clothing she used to mark her trail. She picked up the clothing and found a stick nearby. After that, she tied the clothing to the stick and swung it in the air.
She didn't know if the helicopters could see her, but that was the only chance she got. Nat and Daddy, please come quickly. I don't think I can last much longer...
Meanwhile, Kenneth was searching right beneath the cave Denise was in, and that was where the markings ended.
He looked around and saw nothing else was left behind.
The extra did the same and scanned the surroundings. Having failed to see any markings, the extra looked at Kenneth and said, “Boss, there's nothing here!”
Kenneth frowned and thought about other possibilities.
“Could it be that she ran out of clothing to tear? Is that why she stopped leaving markings behind?” the extra asked.
“Even if that was the case, she would surely think of something else,” Kenneth answered.
“However, we don't see any markings nearby!”
At that moment, Kenneth raised his gaze and looked at the cave entrance above his head.
Kenneth then whipped out his walkie-talkie and asked the people in the helicopter, “What's going on up there?”
“Mr. Hamilton, we don't see anything. There's nothing here!”
Kenneth was sure that Denise wouldn't just suddenly stop leaving markings. Something must've happened! It is either that or she is here, but we just haven't found her yet!
“Can you guys see my current location?” Kenneth asked.
The helicopter pilot answered, “Yes. We can see you!”
“Okay. Check the caves above my head!”
“All right. Copy that!” the helicopter pilot replied.
After that, the helicopter flew back toward the caves in that area to check them thoroughly.
When the helicopter was flying toward Kenneth's position, the pilot gazed downward and asked the copilot, “Look! What's that?”
They saw someone swinging a stick in
the air.
“Get nearer!” the co-pilot uttered.
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