Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lost Voices in the Forest
The mountain forest had slowly grown quieter.
Clare looked around nervously.
"Jack?" she called.
"Noah?"
Only the rustling of leaves answered her.
Daniel stepped beside her, scanning the trees.
"They probably went deeper into the bushes."
Clare cupped her hands near her mouth.
"Emma! Where are you?"
Her voice echoed through the forest.
No response.
Daniel frowned slightly.
"We should find them before it gets late."
Clare nodded quickly and began walking down a narrow path beside him.
But the deeper they walked, the more the forest seemed to twist into unfamiliar shapes.
Branches. Rocks. Thick bushes.
Everything looked the same.
Clare slowed down.
"…Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"I think we're lost."
Jack and Noah
On the other side of the forest, Jack was still picking berries carelessly.
Noah stood with her arms crossed.
"You're impossible."
"What did I do now?" Jack replied.
"You wandered off again!"
Jack shrugged.
"We're still on the mountain. Not another country."
Noah rolled her eyes.
"Clare and Daniel were calling earlier. We should go find them."
Jack grinned.
"Oh, now you're worried?"
Noah scoffed.
"I'm not worried. I'm responsible."
They walked a few steps before Jack spoke again.
"You worry too much."
"And you think too little."
"Excuse me?"
"I said you think too little!"
Jack laughed.
"No wonder people say you're bossy."
Noah stopped walking.
"Fine."
She turned sharply.
"I'll go find Clare, Daniel, and my mother without you."
Jack raised his eyebrows
"Good luck."
Noah marched forward stubbornly.
But only a few steps later—
Her foot caught a hidden root.
"Ah!"
She slipped forward suddenly.
Before she could fall down the small slope—
A hand grabbed her arm firmly.
Jack.
He pulled her back toward him quickly.
For a moment she stumbled directly against his chest.
Both of them froze.
"You should watch where you step," Jack murmured.
Noah immediately stepped back, embarrassed.
"I had it under control."
"Sure you did."
She turned away quickly.
"Let's just find the others."
Emma
Meanwhile, Emma moved through the forest calling loudly.
"Clare!"
"Jack!"
"Noah!"
"Daniel!"
Her voice carried through the trees.
"Children, where are you?"
But the forest answered only with wind.
Emma sighed and continued searching carefully.
Clare and Daniel
Clare stepped over a fallen branch while still calling out.
"Noah!"
Suddenly her foot twisted on a loose stone.
"Ah!"
She collapsed slightly.
Daniel rushed forward.
"Clare!"
She tried standing again but winced sharply.
"My ankle… I twisted it."
Daniel crouched beside her.
"You shouldn't walk on it."
Clare shook her head.
"We have to find the others."
But when she tried again, pain shot through her leg.
Without another word, Daniel gently lifted her into his arms.
Clare blinked in surprise.
"Daniel—you don't have to carry me."
"You can't walk."
The forest was silent as he carried her carefully down the slope.
After several minutes, Daniel suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Clare listened.
From somewhere below the trees—
A rushing sound.
Water.
"A river," Daniel said.
"Rivers lead down the mountain."
Soon they reached the edge of a small flowing stream.
Daniel noticed a thick broken wooden log lying beside the water.
An idea formed.
Clare watched nervously.
"What are you planning?"
Daniel pushed the log partly into the stream.
"We ride it down."
Clare stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"Hold tight."
He helped her sit on the wooden trunk before climbing behind her.
The current caught the log slowly.
Cold water splashed up as they began sliding down the flowing stream.
Clare gasped as icy water soaked her clothes.
"This is crazy!"
Daniel laughed quietly.
"But it's working."
The current carried them down toward the valley.
By the time they reached the lower riverbank—
Clare was completely soaked.
The River Sound
Meanwhile, Jack and Noah were still arguing while walking through the forest.
"You should've listened earlier," Noah said.
"You're still talking about that?" Jack replied.
Before she could respond—
Noah suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Jack looked confused.
"What now?"
Noah tilted her head.
"Listen."
Through the quiet forest, they heard it.
The sound of rushing water.
"A river," Jack said.
"Let's follow it."
They walked quickly downhill.
At the same time, Emma also paused during her search.
The same sound reached her ears.
"A river," she whispered with relief.
She followed the sound as well.
As The sky had turned orange when Jack and Noah finally reached the riverbank.
Then Jack pointed.
"Look."
Two familiar figures stood near the water.
Daniel.
And Clare sitting on a rock with soaked clothes.
Noah ran forward.
"Clare!"
Clare laughed weakly.
"We found a shortcut."
Jack looked at the wet dress.
"Looks like the river found you."
Soon Emma appeared through the trees as well.
"There you are!" she sighed with relief.
But the wind had grown colder.
Tiny white flakes began falling from the sky.
Snow.
The first snow of the season.
While they were walking, they found
An Old Grandma's House
Not far from the road stood a small wooden house.
An old grandmother opened the door when they knocked.
Seeing their tired faces, she quickly welcomed them inside.
Warm firelight filled the room.
Soon she placed bowls of steaming chicken soup in front of them.
The warmth spread through their cold bodies.
But Clare continued shivering.
Daniel frowned.
"You're still cold."
Emma touched her forehead.
"The river water chilled her."
Outside, the snowfall became heavier.
Emma made a decision.
"Noah's house is closer than Laura's."
Noah nodded.
"She can stay with us tonight."
Clare tried to protest weakly.
"I don't want to trouble anyone…"
Jack grinned.
"You just survived a mountain adventure. One night is allowed."
Everyone laughed softly.
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