The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle still couldn't shake her unease. But there was nothing she could do by following after them now, so she stayed where she was, watching them. Only when Seline and Rosie had become a speck in the distance did she finally enter the café.

There weren't many tourists around, so the café was nearly empty of customers.

Noelle chose a seat by the window. From time to time, she would either glance at the time or look up at the sky, which was still dark and overcast.

The sense of foreboding Noelle was feeling grew stronger. She silently blamed herself for letting Rosie have her way. Once they got back, no matter how much Rosie begged or cried, she was taking her back to the hotel.

Just as she was thinking that, a loud boom suddenly echoed from the distance. The thunderous sound made Noelle's hand tremble.

Everyone in the café heard it, too, and they quickly stopped whatever they were doing and rushed outside.

Noelle instantly turned pale in the face as she bolted out after them.

The ski resort was near the peak of the mountain, offering a clear view of the snow-covered slopes. From here, they could see the snow on the opposite mountain cascading down at an alarming speed. The sight was not only visually stunning but also deeply terrifying.

A few people screamed, and chaos erupted as everyone tried to flee.

Staff members quickly reassured them that the avalanche wouldn't reach this area, but as a safety precaution, it was still best to evacuate.

Noelle's face had turned ashen by then. She grabbed a staff member's arm and asked, "Is that where the ski area is?"

"Yes, but we have professionals on-site. They would've predicted the avalanche and taken the tourists to safety, so don't worry."

The staff member's words were meant to comfort, but Noelle could see the panic in her eyes. She immediately tried calling Seline, but her phone was off.

Noelle could feel a creeping numbness spreading through her fingers. She turned to the staff member, only to find her in the same situation-unable to reach anyone.

The avalanche was still ongoing. Although they were at a higher

elevation, no one could say for sure whether they would be affected. By now, the others had already started evacuating.

The staff member grabbed Noelle's hand. "Ma'am, you need to come with us."

"My daughter and friend are still over there," Noelle said, her voice strained.

"I understand, but the staff members there would have taken them to safety by now. So please, come with me now."noveldrama

"Have you been able to contact anyone over there?" Noelle pressed.

The staff member was unable to offer an answer.

Noelle pulled her hand free. "Where's the evacuation point?"

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"Ma'am, what are you planning to do? It's dangerous out there! Please, come with me. Once I'm able to reach my colleagues, we'll figure, things out, okay? I'm sure your daughter and friend are safe and sound. But if you go out there now, you'll just be risking your life!"

Noelle felt numb in her limbs. She couldn't think clearly, and before she knew it,

she was being led away by the staff member.

"Noelle!" a familiar voice called out.

Noelle snapped out of her daze. She looked up to see the mother of the boy Rosie had been playing with a few days ago.

Her son was with her, and the first thing he asked was, "Where's Rosie?"

The question made Noelle's face turn even paler.

"They're not at the ski area, are they?" the woman asked, reading Noelle's expression. "Oh, no... They'll be okay, right? I just heard that they still haven't been able to reach the staff over there. The skiers were too spread out, and the avalanche came so suddenly. So, they all didn't have time to-"