?Chapter 2870:


    For one dreadful second, her bnce swayed—but then her body locked into ce. She held.


    Panting and trembling, she let out a breathlessugh.


    “Eric, look—I didn’t fall! I… I didn’t.”


    Tears tangled with sweat until her face was streaked and stinging.


    Still, Hadley dragged herself forward, each step a battle, whispering, “Joy… Joy…”


    Each movement carried her daughter’s name through the dark. Back in the, Joy had been the anchor that kept her moving forward—and that night, nothing had changed.


    Distance and exhaustion clouded her awareness. She couldn’t tell how far she had traveled, or how much farther remained. Her body ached, her mind swirled in haze.


    Was that a sound she was imagining?


    “Eric…” Her voice had grown faint, barely more than a whisper to herself.


    “Do you hear that?”


    The sound of rustling could be heard. Or perhaps… whispers. Then a sudden beam of light cut through the darkness, striking her eyelids.


    It was blinding. Hadley flinched, instinctively squeezing her eyes shut.


    The light didn’t linger—it swept past, wavering, and then stilled.


    Faint voices followed.


    “Be thorough!”


    “Yes, sir!”


    That voice—


    Her heart skipped. Phillips.


    No doubt about it.


    Summoning what little strength she had left, Hadley forced her heavy eyelids open and whispered to the man on her back, her voice trembling, “Eric… Phillips is here. Just… hold on a little longer.”


    She stopped walking, bit her lip, and drew in a ragged breath. Then, gathering thest of her strength, she cried out into the darkness, “Phillips! It’s us! Phillips… Phi—”


    ?????????? ???? ????????: ?????????ν?????????????


    “Ah…” Her voice cracked, fading into nothing.


    Gasping, her chest rose and fell violently. She couldn’t take another step.


    But surely he had heard her… he must have heard her by now.


    Even if he hadn’t—he was here. He would find them soon.


    “Joy… Joy…” Hadley’s lips moved weakly, barely forming her daughter’s name as she waited.


    “I heard Hadley’s voice!” Phillips spun sharply, his shlight darting across the shadows.


    “Hadley? Is that you? I heard you!” He gestured urgently to his team.


    “Come with me!”


    “Yes, sir!”


    “This way!”


    “Stay close!”


    “Where?”


    Suddenly—


    .


    .


    .