The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1922

"I'm fine," Stella lied, forcing herself to stay calm. She glanced up at the slope, which was still steadily sliding downward. Suppressing her own terror, she gently coaxed, "Listen to me. Try to push the mud away from you."

If they didn't dig themselves out immediately, the rest of the mountain would come down and crush them.

The student nodded fearfully and started clawing at the heavy earth alongside Stella. But the mud was thick with rainwater, turning it into a dense, cement-like sludge. It was impossible to dig them out with just bare hands in such a short amount of time.

Above them, the soil precariously teetered on the edge of the cliff.

Looking at the pathetic little dent they had managed to dig after several minutes, Stella finally broke down. Tears spilled from her eyes.

Why? Six years ago, she had fought with everything she had, yet she still couldn't save her friends at the sanatorium. She had watched a group of teenagers burn to ashes. And now... she still couldn't save a child.

"You're going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you," Stella sobbed, frantically clawing at the dirt. Her fingers ached and her skin scraped raw, traces of crimson washing away in the rain.

Would someone please help her? Please help this child! She couldn't let her die. She couldn't watch another young, innocent life slip away right in front of her.

The mud continued to slide, splashing across their faces until they were practically buried alive. At this rate, they had five minutes, tops, before the massive chunk of earth above them broke loose and swallowed them whole.

Just as a suffocating wave of despair washed over her, a familiar voice cut through the roaring storm.

"Stella!"

Was someone calling her? It sounded like Roger.

Was she losing her mind? Why would Roger be out here in the middle of nowhere?

Stella shook her head violently, trying to snap out of the delusion. But a second later, the voice drew closer, ringing loud and clear.

"Stella!"

"Stella!"

"Dr. Roger!" Stella snapped back to reality, grabbing his wrist with a fierce grip. She stared dead into his eyes, her voice hoarse. "Save the kid first. The mountain is coming down."

Roger glanced up at the cliffside. The earth was completely unstable; it was going to collapse any second.

"Save her first!" Stella screamed, her voice cracking. "There's no time!"

"Okay," Roger agreed without hesitation. He shifted over and dug furiously around the student. It didn't take long before he managed to yank the young girl free from the muck and carry her to a safe spot.

Without wasting another second, Roger turned back, eyeing the looming avalanche of mud before diving right back in to save Stella.

"Roger..." Stella blinked through her soaked eyelashes, unable to read his expression, her voice trembling with panic. "Take her and go! Leave me!"

The mountain was about to give way. She was buried too deep. If he stayed, they would both die here.