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RED STRINGS: IF FATE WISHES
WHERE THE STORM RISES

WHERE THE STORM RISES

The trek continued, the path rising steadily. "Noah, Selene, you guys go on ahead," Lisa puffed, waving them forward. "I'll catch up slow. It's only five kilometers, I can manage. Just need a breather."

"Are you sure, Lisa? The view from the top is incredible, you won't want to miss it!" Selene called back.

"Don't worry, I'll be there," Lisa confirmed, a smile in her voice.

With a final wave, Noah and Selene disappeared around a bend in the trail. Lisa sank down onto a nearby rock, letting her eyes flutter closed for a few minutes. The exertion had taken its toll, but a fresh wave of energy surged through her as she sat there. Standing, she stretched and took her first step forward when the sky opened up.

Rain lashed down in a sudden torrent. Lisa scrambled to pull on her raincoat, but the once-firm path beneath her feet had become slick mud. Slipping and sliding, she stumbled towards the nearest shelter – a large tree with a wide canopy. Huddled beneath its meager protection, she watched the downpour intensify.

"Heavy thunderstorm," she muttered, a curse escaping her lips. "Who could have predicted this?"

As she grumbled about her bad luck, the ground beneath her shifted. A crack echoed through the air, followed by a sickening lurch. A small section of the hillside gave way, sending Lisa tumbling down with it. Mud and debris rained around her, the force of the mini-landslide knocking the wind out of her lungs.

Dazed and bruised, Lisa attempted to rise. Her legs screamed in protest, a throbbing pain radiating from her ankle. Trapped, she slumped back against a fallen branch, a wave of panic washing over her.

Meanwhile, at the peak, Noah and Selene scanned the now-deserted path anxiously.

"I'm worried, Noah," Selene voiced the concern gnawing at them both. "I'm going down to check on Lisa."

"No way, Selene! It's too dangerous," Noah countered. "The rain's making the whole path a mudslide waiting to happen."

"But what about Lisa? We can't just leave her up there!"

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Taking a deep breath, Noah conceded, "You're right. We need to get help. But going down ourselves is just reckless. Let's find the officials."

They hurried towards the small ranger station perched on the hilltop. As they burst through the door, a young woman looked up, her eyes widening in recognition.

"Oh my gosh! It's Selene and Noah! I'm Mia, such a pleasure! Can I get a picture and an autograph?"

"Mia, I'm so sorry, but this isn't a good time," Selene interjected. "My friend Lisa hasn’t arrived and the rain is stopping me. We need help getting her down safely."

Mia's smile faltered, replaced by a look of concern. "Find a friend? But of course, let me help! Forget the pictures and autographs – your friend comes first."

Mia, taking charge of the situation, boomed, "Harry, Andrew, Mikhail! Get in here right now!"

The three men hurried to her side. "I need all of you to assist Miss Selene and Mr. Noah in finding their friend Lisa. If we find her safely, we'll celebrate with a victory dinner for everyone!"

With a grateful nod, Selene quickly explained the situation and provided a photo of Lisa. Wasting no time, the group set off down the treacherous path, the relentless rain hampering their progress.

Meanwhile, Lisa, stirred by a faint voice calling her name, roused from her daze. Following the sound, she spotted a flickering light in the distance. Mustering her remaining strength, she crawled towards it.

When Lisa finally awoke again, she found herself nestled in a small cave. A fire crackled merrily in front of her, casting a warm glow. A man knelt beside it, tending the flames.

"Hello?" Lisa croaked, her voice hoarse.

The man turned, a gentle smile on his face. "Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm Luka. I too am stranded here because of the storm."

Lisa eyed him cautiously. "I don't know you. Men can be dangerous..." Her voice trailed off, heavy with suspicion.

Luka chuckled softly. "If you don't trust me, I can certainly find another shelter." He made a move to stand up.

"Wait!" Lisa blurted. "I'm Lisa."

"Lisa, what a beautiful name," Luka replied. "Well, Lisa, until the storm passes, perhaps fate has brought us together."

"The storm outside is fierce," Lisa admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "While I still have reservations, I choose to believe you won't take advantage of me."

Relief washed over Luka's face. "Thank goodness for that trust." He gestured towards his bag. "There's some pre-cooked food in here. Would you like something to eat?"

Lisa hesitated, eyeing the food with suspicion. "Thank you, I appreciate it. It looks a little old, though..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of doubt lingering.

"Don't worry," Luka assured her. "We can heat it up if you'd like. I promise it's perfectly safe."

Hesitantly, Lisa agreed. Together, they warmed the food, and to her surprise, it was surprisingly delicious.

Luka smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from his eyes. "So, Lisa, what do you do for a living?" he inquired.

"I'm a game designer," Lisa replied, her voice gaining a little strength. "I create visuals for games and movies."

"An artist, huh? That sounds fascinating," Luka remarked. "And what about you, Luka? What brings you out here, traveling the world?"

"Just a wanderer, I guess," Luka chuckled. "No real destination, just a thirst for adventure and new experiences. It's my way of escaping the ordinary and embracing all the world has to offer."

"Traveling, huh?" Lisa echoed, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Honestly, it's not really my thing. My friends practically dragged me along on this hike, and now look at the mess I'm in – exhausted and injured."

Luka's laughter was light and carefree. "Why the frown, Lisa? Sometimes, a little smile and a positive outlook can go a long way in pushing past the troubles. It's all about focusing on the good things, you know?"

Lisa sighed, still grappling with her predicament. "I don't quite understand you, Luka," she admitted.

Their conversation continued late into the night, the crackling fire casting flickering shadows on the cave walls. Eventually, lulled by the warmth and Luka's calming presence, Lisa drifted off to sleep.