The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 730

If a car ended up in the tunnel, things could get pretty dire. Honestly, you'd have a better shot at survival if you were just caught in a mudslide. Anastasia's legs felt like jelly, and Christen had to hold her up. "Hang in there, ma'am. Let's keep looking," he urged.

Anastasia's face was ghostly pale, not a hint of color, and she was shaking all over. She'd barely managed to keep it together, combing through the hospital with Christen, checking every injured person to see if Herman had been brought in. When they didn't find him, Anastasia insisted on heading to the landslide site. She wouldn't feel at ease until she found him.

The sky was dark, and rain was coming down in torrents. The road to Silver Creek Village was barricaded, with highway patrol officers standing guard, not letting anyone through. Anastasia parked but didn't turn back. A rain-soaked officer came over. "The road ahead is blocked by a landslide. You need to turn around," he said.

Anastasia rolled down her window. "Has everyone been rescued yet?" she asked anxiously.

"No," the officer replied. "The mudslide blocked the road, and with the rain this heavy, the hills are unstable. It's too dangerous. We've stopped the rescue efforts until the storm passes."

"And the tunnel? Are there still cars buried in there?" Anastasia's voice trembled. "My husband's missing. He's not at the hospital. He might still be inside."

The officer tried to reassure her. "I’m sorry, but it’s too dangerous to search right now. Please, you need to leave. The risk of another landslide is high."

Christen added from inside the car, "Ma'am, maybe we should find a place to stay for the night? We can come back tomorrow."

The officer wasn't budging, and staying in the car wasn't safe. Anastasia's mental state was fragile, and Christen was genuinely worried.

Anastasia shook her head, then pleaded with the officer, "Can I at least park over there by the dam? I promise I won’t go in."

The officer, understanding her desperation, nodded sympathetically. Many people had come by today with the same frantic look, worried sick about their loved ones.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. Please cooperate with us and come back tomorrow."