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!"

ran into her uncle's arms and wailed. She

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

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

Manager Qin. She came with me all the way to A City to search

beamed at Cassandra

and a gentle stature. He wore a pair of glasses to frame his face, which shifted downwards as he looked at Cassandra, holding

Qin, thank you for going out of your way to bring Maggie here. Your journey must

easy task to accompany someone to such a dangerous place. It also was a rare sight to see a manager going at such great lengths for her

when he lost contact with her. At least he could rest easy

my dear cousin brother contacted you

about whether her cousin brother had contacted his father to check about his safety.

have no

in a cold and angry tone. The mere mention of his son's name made him

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

aunt and cousin sister are not far

at it. However, he stopped and turned to

center. We do have enough food with

Cassandra immediately shook her

Maggie, just go and spend time with your family. I'll go to see if Dylon needs anything, or see if there's a search and rescue

were strategically planning their entry into one

who she found waiting in front of a ruined building.

far below that it caved into a basement. Cassandra

to still be intact but only barely, which was why

thermal imaging to find missing persons underground. They were extremely focused and diligent with their work; a

what's wrong? Are there

He was worrying a pen in between his

building and there were only a few business centers inside. However one of the evacuees warned us that the building's security team was

such an expression. The rescue teams hadn't rested

ruined building, so that if the rescue team managed

stuck for a day already?

at stake. The rescue team was just about

inside the building now. We're not even sure if the building's stable enough to do a rescue operation. But it's a risk we have to take. We can't just let the people die

shook his head and sighed. He was silently praying for everyone's safety.

risky

worried her bottom lip between

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