A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was the person Dylon least expected to see here. The situation had been so dangerous, with aftershocks seizing the location every other minute. It boggled him how Cassandra managed to drive up here despite the risk.

"I can't go back now. I need to find Maggie's uncle and his family!"

Cassandra said stubbornly.

Dylon looked at Maggie whose eyes were red and swollen. Her hand was being held by Cassandra tightly. He frowned slightly before answering, "Park the car at the town hall nearby and get on the ambulance with us!"

Dylon pointed at the vehicle he just got out of.

Cassandra smiled at him, grateful with his offer.

"Thank you so much, Dylon!" she exclaimed as she hurried over to the car and drove towards the town hall.

Once she was done, she and Maggie ran to the ambulance and rode with Dylon on the way to A City. Everything was in ruins. The roads were all destroyed, and buildings kept crumbling apart.

"My team was dispatched to the site near the home of Maggie's uncle. You two can come with us. But you must follow me closely,"

Dylon explained to Cassandra and Maggie. They had started to formulate a plan just to ensure all their safeties.

Maggie's uncle lived near the school, where he and his wife worked as teachers.

The house was crumbling and bound to fall any time soon. It was just a good thing that her uncle and his family weren't there. However, some necessities in the house were gone.

Cassandra noted that the towels and quilt were gone. "Your uncle must've come back to take them out somewhere else. Don't worry, Maggie. They probably went to an emergency shelter nearby,"

Cassandra reassured. Maggie's face softened upon hearing her manager's words.

"Thank you, Manager Qin. I'll go and search around in a bit. I saw some tents by the playground when we passed,"

Maggie said excitedly, trying to look for a few supplies before heading out herself. Cassandra followed suit.

The playground was crowded with people. Maggie searched around several times but failed to see her uncle and his family.

Cassandra, however, was determined to find him. She took Maggie to the broadcast station and asked the broadcaster to page Maggie's uncle for them over the loudspeaker.

It only took a few minutes until a middle-aged man peered out of one of the tents. Maggie immediately recognized him and ran towards the tent. The man smiled as she rushed over to him.

"Maggie! What are you doing here?"

The man's eyes were watering from happiness. He never would have expected for Maggie to appear in A City.

"Uncle!"

arms and wailed. She was so

aside and felt a lump in her throat. It was so precious to see this family reunion. She revelled in the comforting feeling of bringing the family together, trying to dispel the ache in her heart because she knew that this would

her father, Vernon, nor her mother, Edith, was the type to hug

voice rang her out of her thoughts. "Uncle, this is Manager Qin. She came with me all the

beamed at Cassandra

a stout old man who had a kind face and a gentle stature. He wore a pair of glasses to frame his face, which shifted downwards

of your way to bring Maggie here. Your journey must have been so dangerous. From the

was well aware that it wasn't an easy task to accompany someone to such a dangerous place. It also was a rare sight to see a

about Maggie's well-being, especially when he lost contact with her. At least he could rest easy now, since they were all together.

has my dear cousin brother contacted you

cousin brother had contacted his father to check about his

I have

cold and angry tone. The mere mention of his

lower lip and held her tongue back. She didn't want to spoil

sister are not far from here. I'm sure you'd want to see them, don't

However, he stopped

center. We do have enough food with us,

Cassandra immediately shook her

such a nice family reunion. Please, I insist. Maggie, just go and spend time with your

over to the rescue teams not far away from them, who were strategically planning their entry into one

Dylon, who she found waiting in front

was in shambles. What was once a tall building had been reduced to two floors. The first floor had sunken so far below that it caved into a basement. Cassandra noted that because of the

scaffolding seemed to still be intact but only barely, which was why the search

to find missing persons underground. They were extremely focused and diligent

what's wrong? Are there people still trapped

she approached. He was worrying a pen in between his

few business centers inside. However one of the evacuees

expression. The rescue teams

of the ruined building, so that if the rescue team managed to retrieve people, he would be able to immediately administer

been stuck for a

stake. The rescue team was just about ready to go inside; and Dylon

if the building's stable enough to do

and sighed. He was silently praying

what if there'll be another collapse? It's so risky to bring them down

bottom lip between her teeth.

is aware of that as well. That's why we're all nervous. It's such a risky operation but there's not much else we