Everyone scattered in panic., I grabbed Susie's hand, trying to follow the crowd towards higher ground., But the floodwaters were faster than our legs could carry us. Susie and I hadn't reached safety when the deluge overtook us.

"Licia, Licia...

" Susie cried out in terror., Fear gripped me too, but fear wouldn't save us. By luck, there was a flagpole base not far from us, and I pulled Susie towards it., Just as I managed to lift Susie onto it, the floodwaters reached me, sweeping me away before I could climb up myself. The force was overwhelming., Miraculously, I caught hold of something, clinging to it desperately to keep my head above water, to avoid drowning.,

"Licia, Licia...

" Susie's cries continued, hugging the flagpole, bawling., Debris carried by the flood battered against me... At that moment, I felt no pain, no cold from the water, only an endless fear., Life's unpredictability became all too real; never had I imagined facing such a catastrophe.,

"Licia, Licia,

" Susie kept calling., I couldn't afford to look back at her. As long as she held on, she'd be safe until help arrived., Now, I needed to focus on saving myself., But everything was submerged, turning the streets into a vast lake.,

"Bro, save her... She's been swept away,

" Susie's voice faintly reached me. She must've called Ernest. That call might just save my life, as long as he arrived in time., At that moment, our past breakup was the furthest thing from my mind. I only wished for him to arrive quickly., But rescue services reached me before Ernest did. Susie was also safely brought down from the flagpole.,

"Licia, are you okay? I'm so sorry, this is all my fault.

", Susie was overwhelmed with guilt, but I was too weary to comfort her. I was soaked, cold, and in pain, as if, not water but knives had rolled over me. ,

"Susie,

" I heard Ernest's voice., He appeared, clad in work gear, standing tall and firm before us.,

"Bro,

" Susie clung to him,

"She... she saved me and almost got swept away herself.

" Ernest's gaze flickered towards me, his eyes narrowing, but he remained motionless., How I wished for him to come over and wrap me in warmth., Yet, Ernest merely glanced at me, then back at Susie,

"Are you okay?

", In that moment, I felt a chill colder than the floodwaters., Susie, strea ook her head, tears, down her face,

"I'm, t me to safety. I'm okaet, please, go check on her.

", but, Content, As Susie urged him, Ernest finally moved towards me, but by then, I no longer wanted his help., Had he shown even a hint of concern earlier, my heart might not have turned to ice., I turned to a rescuer,

"I'm cold. Can you take me to the ambulance?

", The rescuer lifted me, bypassing Ernest to place me in the ambulance., As the doors were about to close, I heard Susie urging him,

"Bro, go. Please, go with her.

", But Ernest didn't move. He just stood there., Even though I knew they had broken up, I never imagined his indifference would extend to such a criticale moment, not even offering his hand when I was in dire need. , And to think, my plight was a result of saving his sister., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.