Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Exhausted to the core, Gilbert stumbled out of the cramped cabin, nearly tripping over the doorstep. "Mr. Nine!"

His bodyguard caught him just in time, eyeing Gilbert's weary, darkened complexion. "Are you alright, sir?"

"I'm fine..."

Gilbert shook his head and suddenly turned to the bodyguards beside and behind him. "Go find someone! Why are you following me?"

"Mr. Nine, we need to protect you..."

"Do I look like I need it?"

Gilbert, infuriated, his eyes brimming with sarcasm, barked, "Just go find Galen!"

"Mr. Nine..."

"Are you still standing here? Go!"

The bodyguards exchanged glances, finally scattering to carry out his orders.

After barking at them, Gilbert felt a throbbing pain in his head. He rubbed his temples, scanning the surroundings. With no streetlights on the mountain and the paths muddied from the rain, the longer it took, the worse it would be. One more person could mean one more hope.

Holding a flashlight, Gilbert joined the search...

As the voices around him faded, the beam from his flashlight illuminated the path ahead. He occasionally glanced at his phone, anxious not to miss any calls or messages. Suddenly, the ground beneath him gave way!

Too late!

By the time Gilbert realized it, he was already falling, his balance lost, plummeting straight down!

"Nolan! Help!"

His pupils constricted as he shouted upward. But the fall was too quick, and his cries plunged down with him!

"Ugh!"

Grazing past rocks, Gilbert winced in pain; his flashlight long gone, he plunged into utter darkness and confusion. A fear crept up from within-was this how it was going to end? "Ah!!"

Before the fear could deepen, a sharp pain shot through his thigh! Then, his fall abruptly stopped. Pain forced him to shut his eyes, gasping for air. He reached for his left thigh. His pants were torn, his palm sticky with something. The heavy scent of blood filled his nostrils.

"Damn..."

Gilbert hissed, carelessly wiping his hands on his body. He reached into his pocket for his phone, hoping to assess the damage to his leg and call Nolan for rescue. But the phone was gone. "Tch!"

Gilbert frowned, guessing it must have fallen out during the tumble, perhaps lying nearby? All that remained in his pocket was a lighter. Taking it out, he struck a flame, using the faint light to scan his surroundings. He had thought he'd fallen off a cliff, but this drop wasn't deep enough for that. It looked more like a cave.

Gilbert lifted the lighter, illuminating the path ahead, but couldn't see the end... What place was this?

Wait!

He moved the light back to where it had just been. That shadow-it looked like a person? Extinguishing the lighter, then striking it again, he directed the light towards the shadow... Indeed, it was a person! In such deep woods, could it be... Galen?

Gilbert's throat tightened, a surge of excitement making him stand up. "Ah... Damn, that hurts!"

The pain in his left leg shot through him, making him see stars and grimace in pain.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Gilbert hurried towards the shadow, kneeling on one knee, and turned the person over. Galen's eyes were shut tight, still dressed in the hospital gown beneath his jacket!

"Galen!"

Gilbert called out, emotion swelling in his eyes at the sight.

"Thank God!"

They had found him! Jenna had a chance now!

"Galen!"

Gilbert blinked back the tears, steadying himself. He lifted Galen, patting his face.

"Wake up! Can you hear me? Galen?"

But Galen remained unresponsive, his eyes shut tight, showing no sign of awareness.