Chapter 210 Catch The Sly
Fox
“What? Bombs?” Ryland stiffened, his eyes darting toward the fire. “My friend’s still here. Let us go get her first!”
Claude gripped his arm, holding him back. “Ryland, wait.”
Marvin stepped forward, his voice tight with worry. “Yes, our friend is here. We only know she is still be on the island, but we can’t reach her! And now you’re saying there’re bombs? How does that even happen?”
The soldier’s frown deepened. “Is your friend alone? Or there’re others with her?”
“There’re two of them!” Ryland and Marvin answered at the same time.
The soldier hesitated. “Two?” His brows knitted together. “What are their names?”
“Renee Carter and William Mitchell,” Ryland answered without hesitation.
The soldier’s stern expressions shifted in an instant. A hint of a smile even flickered across his face.
The group exchanged confused glances.
The soldier straightened, his tone suddenly respectful. “Oh, no worries— they’re fine. We’re here to back them up!”
There was no time to ask questions. Though still bewildered, the group knew better than to argue and waste precious time that could be used to save Renee and William. They quickly complied, retreating to the boat without protest.
Seconds dragged by as they waited, nerves tightening with each passing moment. With only two minutes left on the ten–minute countdown, a helicopter roared overhead, lifting off into the sky.
Then came the final thirty seconds.
Every nerve was stretched to its limit.
The two boats had already put distance between them and the island, but no one felt safe.
Then–boom. A deafening explosion ripped through the air, shattering the island’s silence. A series of aftershocks followed, rumbling like the earth itself was splitting apart.
The boats lurched, the force of the blast sending violent tremors through the decks. It felt like standing on a pounding heartbeat, each pulse reverberating in their bones.
Thick smoke billowed into the sky, swallowing the sun and plunging the sea into an eerie twilight.
The air reeked of burning debris and dust, choking every breath.
Then, above the chaos, the steady thrum of helicopter blades cut through the smoke.
Struggling to steady themselves, they looked up–and froze. A rope ladder dangled from the helicopter, swaying in the wind. Two figures clung to it, gripping each other tightly.
Ryland’s breath caught. “Renee!”
If they slipped, the consequences were too terrifying to imagine.
As the tremors gradually subsided and the boat’s rocking slowed, the helicopter descended slowly, its heavy presence above them. When the ladder finally reached the boat, Ryland rushed forward, helping steady Renee and William as they made their way down. Despite covered in dust,
they landed safely.
“Renee!” Ryland’s voice cracked, his relief spilling out uncontrollably,
Renee wrapped her arms around Ryland, her smile gentle but firm. “See? I’m fine. Why are you crying?”
Just as they held each other, William stepped forward, gently pulling them apart. On the other side, Claude moved in, his arms enveloping Ryland, guiding him away. The two men worked together, their actions synchronized, as they separated the Renee and Ryland with careful precision.
“Renee, I’m so sorry,” Ryland choked out, his voice breaking. “If only I had noticed sooner… if only I realized you weren’t on the boat earlier—” His
words dissolved into sobs.
Renee let out a small, wry smile and cupped his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s over. We’re both here, safe and sound.” She nudged him playfully. “No more tears–we’ve got work to do!”
Ryland sniffled and wiped his face, straightening up. His eyes, still glassy with tears, locked onto hers. “Tell me what to do, Renee. Whatever it is, I’ll do whatever to help.”
A spark of determination lit up her face. “Simple,” she said. “We catch the sly fox.”
