Alyssa opted for a mediocre-looking sedan for her drive to the parkter that day with Sean’spany.


    13 years ago, she had nearly lost her life here while searching for her mother’s belongings.


    Supposedly, the memory should still traumatize her, but that trauma wavered in the face of her


    determination to be


    strong.


    Ever since that incident, all that changed was that Alyssa would pay the park a visit every year and hike


    around the area with Elijah Forrest, aiding any trekkers or hikers in peril.


    At first, the park rangers underestimated Alyssa, thinking she would go running back to her parents


    after a


    day’s work and never return.


    To their surprise, Alyssa pushed through every obstacle withoutint, finally leaving a good


    impression in front of everyone.


    Sean looked at her from the rearview mirror. She was d in full hiking gear, with no makeup on her


    skin.


    She had a robust elegance to her, like some determined huntress.


    “I’lle with you on the trek, Ms. Alyssa. It will be dangerous,” Sean suggested.


    “You?” Alyssa squinted at him. “Did you bring any hiking gear? Have you learned anything about the


    do’s


    and don’ts? Do you know any techniques to keep yourself safe?”


    “No, but I did surf before, so I know how to dive!” Sean grinned.


    Alyssa scowled. “Are we even on the same frequency here?”


    Sean pursed his lips, mumbling, “I wouldn’t dare stray …”


    “What if we get in danger? Are you going to dive into the ocean? Hey, that might not be a bad idea. I’m


    sure some sirens are out there looking for an unfortunate human to be their spouse.”


    Sean awkwardly scratched his head, taking that as apliment.


    The car stopped halfway through the park. Beyond the road were forests and mountains as far as the


    eye could see, interspersed with faint mist and fog.


    Sean gaped in awe at the tall, snowy peaks. “Whoa… that is very tall … It’s massive …”


    *Are those the only words thate to mind for you?”


    Alyssa shook her head disapprovingly and recited a poem with a hint of nostalgia.


    “I saw the mountains stand,


    Silent, wonderful, and grand;


    Looking out across thend,


    When the golden light was falling,


    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    On distant dome and spire…”


    Sean nodded as if he understood, not daring to question her.


    “Alice!”


    The warmth in the voice made Alyssa’s heart blossom. She turned to find Elijah a distance away, being


    supported by Elias.


    “Mr. Forrest,” she said gently, her eyes brimming with tears at the sight of her friend looking so ill. He


    had lost a lot of weight, his cheeks caving in on themselves.


    Alyssa went up to hug Elijah, and he met her embrace as if she were his daughter.


    “How have you been?” she asked.


    “Never better! I’ve been eating heartily and sleeping just as soundly!” Elijah said with a grin.


    Beside him, Elias looked away sadly.


    Alyssa took a deep breath to settle her upset emotions. Being a doctor, she knew what someone with


    an illness like Elijah’s would go through on a daily basis-loss of appetite, weight loss, hair loss. Even


    the most resolute of individuals would discover their determination waning in such circumstances.


    Alyssa shot Sean a look, to which the man nodded. He had found the specialist she needed to treat


    Elijah.