She really wanted to rush to the hospital to question Brandon, but considering the fact that Natalie still wasn’t found, she had no time to go see Brandon.
Seeing that she was so angry, Beal was afraid that it would take a toll on her health, so he tried to comfort her.
“Just let it go for now.We have to focus on the search here.We have to find our daughter first.The most important thing right now is getting her back safe and sound.”
The sound of Crashing waves drowned everything else.
The woman curled up in the reef cave opened her eyes to the sight of ships out in the sea.She had no intention to call for help, though her eyes were bright and alert.It had been six days since Natalie was trapped in this place.
In all that time, several ships had passed by and gone.
There was even one instance when a ship had thrown anchor near the cave, The men had alighted and traversed the reef, shouting her name as they went.
“Is anybody here? We are the search and rescue team sent by the White family! If you can hear us, please respond or make some noise!”
They bellowed the same words over and over.
But their voices only scared Natalie, so much so that she squeezed deeper into the cave.She never made a sound.
After all, she couldn’t be certain whether these so-called rescuers were friend or foe.
What she did know for sure was that someone wanted to kill her.
Natalie didn’t want to risk running into her enemies, so she thought it would be best to keep silent and hidden.
If things turned out the same as last time, she may not be as lucky as to escape again.
The rescuers had stayed for a few minutes.
When they got no answer, they decided to leave.
“Let’s go.There is no one here.I heard that there is an island just up ahead.Let’s go over there and take a look.”
With a short blare of its horn, the ship lifted its anchor and sailed away.
Natalie watched it all happen from her dark corner in the cave.
For days on end, the same scenario repeated itself, and she would press tight against the cave walls and observe whoever had come.She couldn’t even begin to guess who all those men worked for.She was careful not to make a peep, afraid that the slightest sound might alert them to her presence.
In the end, the ships eventually stopped coming to this area.
Only then did Natalie realize that she didn’t know what to do.
The last time it rained was three days ago, and all the freshwater around her had already dried up under the glaring sun.Her throat was dry as a parchment.She swallowed and tried to soothe it with what little saliva she had left.She was already showing symptoms of dehydration, and could barely stand up without feeling dizzy.
Natalie knew she was slowly dying.Her vision blurred, and a choked sob came out of her mouth.She thought she no longer had tears to shed, but two hot droplets fell from her eyes.
Suddenly, the faces of the important people in her life appeared in her mind.She missed Brandon and her parents.
lt was said that one would recall their most treasured memories just before they died.
Natalie’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
At that moment, she could only think of one thing—that she would really perish this time.
After the storm died down, a number of small fishing boasts set out to the sea to get some catch off the waters.
On the beach, people walked around to enjoy the breeze and pick some shells.
And by the reef, a middle-aged woman in a floral shirt hopped off her boat with a basket on her back.She often scavenged for shells near the reef, and when she grew tired, she would climb into the cave to rest in the shade.
Today was different, however.
When she went into the cave, she saw that someone was inside.
The woman was wary at first, but as she approached, she realized that a young woman was lying unconscious among the rocks.
Scared out of her wits, she ran out of the cave screaming.
“Honey! Honey, hurry and come take a look! There’s a woman inside!” she called out to her husband in between gasps for air.
Her husband was a fisherman who was just about her age.
He had been born and raised by the sea, and fished all year round.
As such, he was actually no strangers to situations where a corpse was stumbled upon after a particularly heavy storm.
“She must have been swept away in the rain a few days ago.I’ll go and check on her.”
The fisherman jumped out of his boat and made his way to the cave.
His wife was right at his heels.
The couple crouched over Natalie, and the man held a finger under her nose.
“She’s still breathing.Let’s take her back to the island first and see if she can be saved.”
The woman nodded and threw her basket aside.
Together, they hoisted Natalie on the fisherman’s back.
As they did, the wife couldn’t help but sigh at Natalie’s young and pretty face.
“This girl looks like she’s just the same age as our daughter.I do hope she survives this.”
Swimming in and out of consciousness, Natalie vaguely heard a strange voice.
It sounded like a woman speaking in a local accent.
Natalie tried her best to open her eyes, but she was too weak.
Soon, she passed out again. The next time she woke up, she found a middle-aged woman with tanned, leathery skin standing in front of her. Her cheeks were red from exposure to the sun all year round.
The woman’s eyes instantly lit up and she happily waved to the people around her. “She’s awake! Come quick! She’s awake!”
Soon, a stooping middle-aged man came over. His face was also tanned and red.
“Thank God! I’ll get the doctor.” The middle-aged man wiped his brow in relief and smiled. He looked very kind when he smiled.
Natalie’s eyes darted between the two middle-aged people and was too dazed to say anything.
The window in the room was open, letting in the sea breeze. She could still smell the salt in the air.
“Hello… Er, where am I? And who are you?” Natalie asked warily.
“You’re in a hospital. We’re fishermen. Three days ago, we stumbled upon you in a reef cave, and you were unconscious, so we took you straight to the hospital. You’re one lucky girl. The doctor said that your chances of survival were actually slim, but you made it!” The middle-aged woman smiled at Natalie. Her words were full of joy, as if she was very happy that Natalie managed to survive.
“Oh, my God… Thank you… Thank you so much!” Tears welled up in Natalie’s eyes. She felt so lucky to have been saved.
The middle-aged woman poured a glass of water for her and asked with a curious smile, “Miss, where’d you come from? You didn’t have an ID or phone when we found you, so we didn’t know who to contact.
I got into a car accident. The car fell into the water but I managed to swim to the reef. Speaking of which, ma’am, can I borrow your phone? I need to call my family.” It suddenly occurred to Natalie that she had been hospitalized here for three days. Besides, she had already been lost at sea for almost a week. Brandon and her parents must have been worried sick.
Of course. You should call yourparents to tell t hem that you are safe. The middle-aged woman handed her phone to Natalie.
Natalie dialed Brandon’s number excitedly.
However, no one answered it.
She tried him several more times, but still, no one answered.
Could you have dialed the wrong number, miss?” The middle-aged woman asked kindly when she noticed that no one had answered the phone.
Natalie frowned and shook her head. “This is my husband’s number.I couldn’t have gotten it wrong.
Instantly, she felt that something was off. She had been gone for so long, so Brandon should’vebeen turning the entire world upside down looking for her. He should’ve kept his line open atall times in case she called. Even though it was an unknown caller, he would have answered it.
“Wait a minute. I’ll try calling my parents instead.”
After calming down, Natalie dialed Beal’s number.
Dad! It’s me, Natalie!
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The moment the call connected, a lump formed in Natalie’s throat.
And the second Beal heard her familiar voice, he jumped for joy. Johanna, who was right next to him, also heard Natalie’s voice and immediately snatched the phone from him.
Natalie, where are you? How are you? Honey, we were so worried!” Johanna cried and laughed at the same time, her voicetrembling with emotion. She finally felt a sense of relief!
When they found out what hospital Natalie was in, they immediately rushed to see her.
Beal couldn’t stop thanking the couple who had saved Natalie and gave them agenerous amount of money as a reward.
Johanna ran into the ward first. Seeing that Natalie was safe and sound, she went straight to the bed and threw her arms around her daughter, sobbing profusely.
What on earth happened? You’ve lost so much weight!” After calming down somewhat, Johanna felt heartbroken to see how sunken Natalie’s cheeks were.
Natalie explained everything to them. “Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. I’m fine now.
Johanna let out a long breath and nodded, hiccupping from her sobs. “Well, as long as you’re safe… As long as you are safe.