Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2663

Gabriel led the way, with Kant in the middle and Sylvia bringing up the rear.

The mountain path was slick with rain. Sylvia found a sturdy stick for Kant to use as a walking staff, and the three of them made their way through the quiet, damp forest.

After just an hour of walking, Kant was already out of breath, his face flushed with exertion. He was only a child, after all.

Sylvia stopped and crouched down in front of him. “Come on, I’ll carry you.”

Gabriel turned around, handing his own pack to Sylvia. “I’ll carry him.”

Kant shrank back, looking at him fearfully. “I—I can still walk.”

“We still have a long way to go. How long can you last? Get on,” Gabriel said. His voice was a little softer this time, but it still held a crisp authority that was hard to refuse.

Kant looked at Sylvia, and only after seeing her encouraging nod did he cautiously approach and let Gabriel lift him onto his back.

The moment Gabriel stood up, all of Kant’s fear miraculously vanished. The man’s back was strong and steady, exuding a powerful sense of security.

He turned his head and gave Sylvia a wide grin.

Sylvia smiled back and followed them up the path.

After a dozen more steps, Kant held out a vitamin gummy he’d been clutching in his hand, offering it to Gabriel. “This is for you, Sir!”

Gabriel was about to refuse, but then he remembered Sylvia saying the children were afraid of him. He freed a hand, took the gummy, and popped it into his mouth.

Kant’s dark eyes shone brightly. It was clear he was thrilled that Gabriel had accepted his offering.

Gabriel chewed the gummy. “Any more?” he asked.

Kant fumbled to get the bottle out to give him another, but Gabriel said, “Give two to the lady behind you.”

Realizing what he meant, Kant nodded eagerly. He shook five or six gummies into his palm and turned to offer them to Sylvia. “Miss Sylvia!”

Sylvia took two steps forward and picked one from his hand. “Thank you.”

The cabins were maintained annually, so despite the dampness outside, the interior was in much better condition.

It was about the size of three small rooms combined. A table and a few simple stools stood in the center, and against the southwest wall was a basic bamboo-slat bed covered with dry hay. It was spartan, meant only as a resting place for mountain travelers.

The table was coated in a layer of dust, suggesting no one had been there for a while.

Sylvia took out some tissues and wiped down the table and stools before letting the others sit. Then she pulled bread and water from her backpack.

With a flourish, she produced a bottle of orange juice and set it in front of Kant. “You were so brave. This is your reward.”

Kant hugged the bottle with both hands, a huge grin on his face. “Thank you, Miss Sylvia!”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Was my performance not up to par?” he asked dryly.

“What?” Sylvia looked at him, confused.

“Why don’t I get a reward?” he asked, his dark eyes fixed on her.