With heightened urgency, Ariana packed her backpack and prepared herself to descend the cliff.
At the cliffs edge, the wind blew forcefully, almost causing Ariana to lose her balance.
The gusting wind obstructed visibility and hindered Arianas progress to move forward.
Squinting against the wind, Ariana altered her posture and crouched, securing her flashlight to her waist. She began the cautious descent, gripping the rocky terrain firmly.
Holden, Adrian she called out repeatedly for Holden, Adrian, and the driver, but received no response.
Undeterred, Ariana persevered, despite her waning strength.
Fortunately, the cliff was not excessively tall. Midway down, she noticed a sizable cave concealed by vines. Although the entrance was hidden, the interior was roomy. Adjacent to the edge was a rock, providing a spot for Ariana to rest.
Ariana sat down on the rock and rested to restore her energy. But then, a rustling sound from nearby bushes caught her attention.
Startled, she pivoted to observe, only to have a hand suddenly emerge from the bushes, seizing her ankle.
Ah! Her scream reverberated.
Ariana had never believed in ghosts, yet after hours in this eerie location and encountering those ghastly bodies, she was scared and on edge. Upon feeling the hand grasp her ankle, Ariana panicked, kicking frantically and yelling for the person to let go. Despite the persons pained cry, they didnt let go.
After a while, the person gasped out, Im not a ghost. Please stop kicking. You might really turn me into a ghost if you continue.
Upon hearing this, Ariana calmed down a little.
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Who are you? Ariana demanded, finding the voice familiar. Before the person could respond, she illuminated him with her flashlight, and his visage left her astonished.
It was Bennett, her nemesis.
Arianas fury reignited, prompting her to deliver several more kicks to Bennett until he was nearly unconscious. She then inquired icily, Where are Holden and Adrian? What have you done to them?
Bennett, with a fractured leg and drained from the fight with Holden and Adrian, was immobilized. So he had rested here before he could go and find one of his safe houses.
He had constructed numerous safe houses in these mountains for precisely such scenarios, but he had never anticipated Arianas return, let alone her mistaking him for a ghost.
Barely clinging to life after their altercation and nearly beaten to death by Ariana, Bennett was seething with anger. Observing Arianas concern for Holden, he maliciously said, Stop searching. Your boyfriend and his companion? I killed them. Theyre likely reduced to pulp now. Its best you return to me; I might overlook this if you cooperate.
Detecting skepticism in Arianas gaze, he continued, Still not convinced? You must have witnessed the bodies outside. Theyre among them, albeit possibly scavenged by crows or wild animals.
Nonsense! Ariana couldnt restrain herself and delivered another forceful kick that caused Bennett to spit blood.
She said, Ive examined every corpse out there, and Holden and Adrian arent among them. Quit lying and disclose their actual whereabouts. If you dont do that, Ill kill you!
Ariana retrieved her gun and pressed it against Bennetts back.
In the moonlight, Bennett coughed with pain and witnessed the tears Ariana was battling to contain, which made his mood sour.