When fate plays its hand

“Sam, I’m here!” Miranda called out with all her strength.

In the tropical area of the botanical garden, dense rainforest growth severely restricted visibility, making it easy to get lost for those unfamiliar with the terrain. Although Sam had asked Madison for directions before entering, he only knew the general area where Miranda might be.

The deeper he went, the weaker the light became until he was enveloped in total darkness. It was pitch- black, with visibility so low he could barely see his own hand. Armed with only a flashlight, he scanned the area in narrow beams, calling her name as he moved cautiously forward.

Luckily, he was persistent. After about half an hour of trudging through puddles, just as he was about to search in a different direction, he heard Miranda’s response.

“Don’t move! I’m coming!”

“Alright!” Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Her voice sounded stable, which reassured him that she likely wasn’t in any immediate danger. Finally able to breathe a bit easier, Sam moved quickly in the direction of her voice and soon spotted her wedged between two large rocks.

Even with just a quick sweep of his flashlight, he could see her disheveled appearance. Mud smeared her clothes and face, her hair was tangled, and her backpack looked damaged. He quickly rushed over and helped her to her feet.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked urgently.

When Sam had first received the news, his mind had flashed to worst–case scenarios. Now, seeing her alert and conscious–albeit muddy but without visible injuries–he finally felt a wave of relief.

Miranda shook her head. “No major issues, just a sprained ankle. Did you come alone?”

“When I left, the staff were gathering a search team. They should be here soon.”

Seeing her soaked through, Sam immediately took off his windbreaker and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Which ankle is hurt? Let me stabilize it to prevent further injury.”

“Thank you.” Miranda rolled up her right pant leg to reveal her ankle. It was now swollen with dark bruising. spreading across it, looking painfully severe.

Sam frowned as he examined her ankle, and Miranda winced with a sharp intake of breath as he touched the injury. He pulled back, testing a different spot. “Does this hurt?”

Miranda shook her head. “Not too much.”

Sam nodded, assessing the situation. “It doesn’t seem like a bone injury, but let’s be cautious. I’ll stabilize

it first.”

He grabbed a few sturdy sticks and used vines to secure her ankle. “All set. You won’t be able to walk on it, so I’ll carry you out.”

Miranda didn’t resist. She bent forward to lean on Sam’s back, resting her hands somewhat awkwardly on his shoulders. After all, this was the quickest and safest way to get her back to the base as soon as

possible

The man’s hand gripped her thigh, giving a strong lift, and Sam had her securely on his back in one quick motion. Sensing her discomfort, Sam reminded her, “The ground’s uneven. You might want to hold on tighter.”

Miranda pressed her lips together. She hesitated for a couple of seconds before lacing her hands together around his chest to hold on more securely. Sam smirked slightly and started walking back.

“Do you know the way back?” Miranda suddenly broke the silence, perhaps unsettled by how quiet it was.

“Not entirely,” he admitted. “But when I was looking for you, I saw a heated rest area. In your condition, I’d rather get you somewhere dry and comfortable first.”

She gave a quiet nod, and silence returned between them.

Irk like this?”

“Were you scared?” Sam asked. “Being alone, injured, in the dark like this?”

“Not really,” Miranda replied. “Madison and Sebastian would’ve gone for help as soon as I missed our meeting spot. Besides, there aren’t any large predators in the garden. It’s just dark, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Sam chuckled. “You’re quite level–headed.”

“What else would I do? Cry?”

“Couldn’t hurt. Sometimes crying is a good way to release emotions.”

“I’ll pass, thanks. There’s nothing I need to vent about.”

“So I won’t even get the chance to lend a shoulder or pass a tissue?” he teased.

Miranda stayed silent.

Sam kept moving west, but after about five minutes, a faint rustling sound reached them. Both of them immediately grew cautious. Yet in the next instant, a beam of flashlight cut through the darkness, revealing Paul approaching

He’d heard faint voices while passing by and suspected it was Miranda, so he’d come to check.

Seeing her on Sam’s back, Paul stopped, his brow furrowing as he asked urgently, “You’re hurt? How bad is it? How large is the wound? Are you feeling feverish?”

Miranda quickly explained that it was just a sprained ankle, making it difficult to walk, Paul shone his flashlight, inspecting her ankles, and noticed her right one was stabilized with branches and vines.

He immediately set down his bag, gesturing for Sam to lower her. “I brought proper braces and bandages. Your ankle needs better support.”

Miranda couldn’t hide her surprise. “Dr. Jefferson, how did you know?”

Even Sam looked slightly impressed..

Paul, who was focused on his task, didn’t look up as he took supplies out of his bag. “It’s just preparation. I brought a few other things, too.”

He’d set out a bit later than Sam because he’d been gathering supplies. When he’d seen Sam leave, he

hadn’t followed immediately since his own equipment wasn’t yet packed.

Along with the braces and bandages, he’d even brought adrenaline, just in case–but Miranda didn’t need. to know that.

“Come on now,” he said.

Sam carefully lowered Miranda, letting Paul handle the treatment. Clearly, Paul was more experienced in this than him.

“Dr. Jefferson, I’m fine, really. Just a little swelling on the ankle, nothing serious. But thank you for securing it anyway. Thank you… Doctor,” Miranda joked lightly.

Paul’s eyebrows were still knit in concern. Even so, it was clear that he, too, felt a wave of relief.

“All done,” ho

announced.