Chapter 21 The Storm 2
I told myself I could do it. Even without Daniel, I was still Jane, the cheerful girl everyone knew.
The heavy rain caused flash floods, covering the curbs. I couldn't see the road or what was beneath the murky water.
It felt like my attempt to forget Daniel and stay away from him, but I hadn't figured out how or what my next step should be.
I waded through the water slowly, tears blurring my vision.
I felt wronged and angry. "Why am I always the one left behind? What did I do wrong? I liked Daniel so much and looked up to him, but why did he treat me this way? Does liking someone only lead to humiliation?"
Tears kept flowing, and I couldn't stop them.
I told myself, "Jane, don't cry. You've walked this road countless times. With or without Daniel, you can make it back alone."
But I couldn't control my aching heart, and images of Daniel and Zoe laughing in the rain kept flashing before my eyes, making me cry even more.
I felt so sad and wronged, with no one to talk to.
The wind was too strong, and it flipped my small umbrella inside out.
I held the broken umbrella with one hand and wiped my face with the other, unable to tell the difference between rain and tears.
In the pouring rain, I felt like a lost puppy, facing the storm alone, licking my wounds in sorrow.
The wind was so strong it slowed me down. A twenty-minute walk felt impossible. For every step forward, the wind and rain pushed me back two steps.
The umbrella became a burden, so I tossed it away.
The wind and rain made it hard to see, so I walked home by feel.
I kept telling myself I'd be home soon, just a little longer, and Helen and Ronan would be waiting for me with warm lights.
The night grew darker, and the streetlights cast eerie shadows through the buildings, like demons lurking in the darkness.
When I realized the danger and tried to pull back my foot, it was too late. It felt like a giant hand was pulling me into a whirlpool.
I spun around and fell, surrounded by dirty water, with rain pouring down like a waterfall.
I suddenly remembered Helen mentioning an uncovered abandoned well on this street, which was very dangerous.
Thinking about it, I realized I had fallen into the well.
In less than half a month, I was facing another life-and-death situation.
Last time, I had Lillian and my girlfriends with me.
This time, it was just me, all alone.
I think my luck with Daniel ended after that gathering.
Now, Daniel was my bad luck. As long as I was with him, I'd be unlucky.
Last time it was falling off a cliff, this time it was falling into a well. What about next time?
I didn't dare to think.
The water level rose quickly, and I had to painfully support myself against the well wall to stand up.
My right leg was numb, feeling like it wasn't mine, and my left arm had a long cut, with dark red blood flowing out, diluted by the rain, and then disappearing.
Leaning against the well wall, I watched the water rise, feeling death's call.
I regretted trusting Daniel and agreeing to go out with him.
I cursed myself for softening my heart and listening to him, only to end up in this damn well. I deserved it.
But I wasn't ready to give up!
"Is anyone there? Help me!" I screamed, hoping someone would hear me.
The street was empty except for the wind, rain, and thunder.
Despair and fear surrounded me.
I tried to save myself, attempting to climb out several times.
The well wasn't very deep, and I thought I could do it.
But the wall was slippery, and my injured leg hurt too much to climb out.
Would I die silently like this?
Dying like this wouldn't be so bad. At least I wouldn't have to think about Daniel.
But I couldn't die.
I still had my parents. They would be devastated without me.
Strangely, I didn't think of Daniel but my dear parents.
Because he had hurt and disappointed me too much.
I howled like a wounded wolf, screaming my lungs out.
When the water reached my chest, an elderly scavenger found me.
His worn raincoat sleeve held a dim flashlight, and he leaned over the well to look at me.
"Sir, please help me, I'm injured," I pleaded, dirty rainwater filling my mouth, tasting salty and bitter.
"Don't be afraid, I'll get something and come back to save you."
The old man left, and the world returned to silence.
In the silent night, I faced all the dangers and fears alone.
I waited quietly, believing in the old man's kindness. He would come back!
I couldn't remember how to cry, only wanting to get out quickly, away from this dangerous well.
The old man soon returned, throwing down a long, thick rope. "Girl, tie it around your waist tightly, and I'll pull you up."
I was so scared I couldn't grab the rope at first.
Finally, I tied the rope around my waist, and the old man began to pull me up, his bony hands bulging with veins. I tried to grip the well wall's brick seams to lighten my weight.
We tried several times but couldn't succeed. Each time I fell back into the well, accumulating more wounds, and I was exhausted.
I cried in fear, searching for any handhold with tear-blurred eyes, persistently trying.
The old man's face changed, but he kept encouraging me. How could I give up?
On the fourteenth attempt, I mustered all my strength, using the old man's power to climb up the well wall in one go.
Finally, I made it!
Seeing the familiar street, the raging rain, and the kind but worried old man, I felt dizzy and managed to say thanks before falling into darkness.
I had many strange dreams.
In the dreams, I seemed to return to the past.
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