Chapter 383 Worsening Injuries
Dragon Mountain, Ebonveil River.
On the riverbank, several tents had been set up.
Larry sat on a rock, holding his phone, scrolling through the weather reports from three months before the Bennett family incident ten years ago.
Abigail, sitting nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Larry, what are you looking at?"
Chloe was also curious. She didn't want to lose Larry to Abigail, so she had followed them here, still unsure of what Larry was up to.
Larry put down his phone, gazing at the mountain across the river. "I'm checking the weather from back then to see if it rained heavily. I want to guess the river's depth."
Abigail frowned. "Why guess the water level?"
Larry explained, "When I jumped into the river back then, I survived by clinging to a piece of wood and drifting with the current. I couldn't have sunk to the bottom, so I must have floated into a cave. If I can figure out the water level from that time, I can estimate the cave entrance's location."
Chloe couldn't help but ask, "Honey, are you looking for a cave? Why? If you need to know the water level, just ask me. I was playing upstream in the Ebonveil River back then."
Larry looked at Chloe, surprised. "You know?"
Chloe thought for a moment. "I remember it was a drought that year. It hadn't rained for months, and the water was shallow. My friends and I were swimming by the river."
"Are you sure?" Larry asked.
Chloe nodded. The events of ten years ago had left a deep impression on her; it was hard to forget.
Larry stared at the churning river, lost in thought. If it were a drought back then, the water level would have been shallow, requiring a dive of about 30 to 60 feet.
He sat silently, not thinking anymore. The virus in his body had already affected his nervous system; thinking too much caused unbearable pain.
Soon, the soldiers who had gone to gather information returned.
"I found out there are many interconnected caves in the mountain across the river."
"Some villagers said there are caves on this side too, but they're currently submerged."
"Yes, I heard the same. It's around that area."
The soldiers reported their findings in detail.
Larry nodded, pointing to a cliff across the river. "Search that area. Dive about 30 to 60 feet down. If you find a cave, look for a statue inside."
Larry remembered that the cave he had been in was a labyrinth. He had wandered for a long time before finding a statue and the medical book nearby.
A soldier asked, "What kind of statue?"
Larry tried to recall. The cave had been pitch-dark; he hadn't seen clearly. The statue seemed like a person, or maybe a monster, or perhaps just a rock.
"I'm not sure. It looked like a person or a monster, or maybe just a rock. It's about 30 feet tall, with a flat area around it. You'll recognize it if you find it."
Howard ordered, "What are you waiting for? Go!"
"Yes, sir."
The soldiers donned their diving suits and jumped into the river. The current was strong, making it difficult to swim, but these were well-trained special forces.
Most of the group went into the water, leaving a few to guard the area.
The river wind made Larry feel cold, a chill sweeping through him, causing him to shiver.
"Are you cold?" Abigail asked, concerned.
Larry nodded. "A bit."
Abigail suggested, "It's autumn, and the weather is getting chilly. Rest in the tent. I'll have them gather some firewood."
She moved to help Larry, but Chloe quickly intervened, glaring at Abigail. "I'll take care of him. Stay away from my husband."
Abigail awkwardly let go. Although Larry had agreed to be her boyfriend, Chloe was still his ex-wife. Abigail felt guilty, believing she had taken Chloe's husband.
Larry, feeling cold and weak, didn't want to argue. He gave Abigail an apologetic look.
Abigail understood and nodded gently.
Chloe helped Larry to a nearby tent. Inside, there were blankets and pillows. Larry lay down to rest.
Chloe stayed, watching him with tearful eyes. "Larry, are you still mad at me?"
Larry didn't want to talk. He closed his eyes, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
"Please, Larry, talk to me. Are you still mad?"
Larry opened his eyes slightly. His vision was blurry, Chloe's figure appearing as multiple shadows. He blinked hard to clear his sight.
"I don't want to talk. Can you leave me alone to rest?" Larry said weakly.
"No, I need you to talk to me," Chloe insisted, shaking him like a madwoman. "I know I was wrong. Why won't you forgive me? I know you love me. You did so much for me. Let's start over. I'll take care of you."
Larry, already dizzy, felt worse from the shaking. He coughed, spitting up blood.
Blood splattered on Chloe's hand, and a small white worm wriggled in it. Chloe screamed, shaking her hand in horror.
Abigail rushed in, seeing Larry covered in blood. She quickly wiped his mouth, her face full of concern. "Are you okay?"
Larry shook his head weakly, not wanting to talk, just wanting to sleep.
Abigail glared at Chloe. "Get out."
Chloe, pale and shaken, looked at Larry's frail form, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. She stumbled out.
Outside, Abigail scolded, "Do you know what you're doing? I told you Larry is very weak. He needs rest. Do you understand his condition?"
"I... I didn't know," Chloe stammered.
Abigail sighed. "Larry's very sick. He only has a few months left. He's risking his life to be here. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Chloe asked, dazed.
"To survive, and for you. He knows you have the same virus. He's here to find a cure. So stop bothering him and making him upset."
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