Ch. 507: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 507
Chapter 507
In the lab, Norah stumbled upon a list of treatments prepared by Pharaoh. One entry in particular caught her eye: horse chestnut.
This rare herb thrives in shaded, remote mountain areas, often guarded by venomous snakes. Harvesting it is no small feat—only seasoned herbalists dare to attempt it. Next to the name, Pharaoh had scribbled a small note, perhaps hinting at the difficulty of obtaining it. Norah clenched her jaw. If this herb could save her child, she’d risk everything—even her life. Without hesitation, she set off.
From a distance, Kevin spotted her heading toward the mountains and quickly caught up. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“I’m going to find horse chestnut,” Norah replied bluntly. “I’ll go alone. Stay here with Cooper.”
“No. I’m coming with you,” Kevin insisted, his tone firm. Norah didn’t have time to argue, so she nodded, allowing him to join her.
The deeper they ventured into the mountains, the harsher the environment became. Horse chestnut doesn’t grow in the outer regions—it’s found only in the most secluded, treacherous parts. Norah pressed on without pause, her focus unwavering. The air grew colder, and an eerie stillness settled around them. Though there was no wind, a chilling breeze seemed to seep into their bones.
Kevin draped his coat over Norah’s shoulders, his worry evident. “Go back. I’ll get the horse chestnut for you,” he urged.
“No. I’m not turning back,” Norah said, her resolve unshakable. She hadn’t planned to let anyone else take this risk—not even Kevin. If danger lay ahead, she wouldn’t let him face it alone.
The fog thickened, obscuring their path. Norah tried to gauge their direction by the sun, but the dense mist blocked it entirely. Uneasy, she picked up a stone and marked a tree trunk. They continued, marking their trail as they went, staying back-to-back, alert for any signs of beasts or snakes. Thankfully, the journey remained uneventful, and as dusk approached, Norah suggested they find a place to rest.
Kevin lit a torch and spotted a small clearing nearby. It wasn’t much, but it would do. Norah handed him a piece of dried food she’d brought along and took one for herself.
“You’ve really changed,” Kevin remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice. “You’re so prepared now. It’s like you’re a completely different person.”
Norah had indeed transformed over the years. The love between them remained, but everything else about her had evolved. She was stronger, more capable.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed in the distance. They sprang to their feet, alert. Kevin raised the torch, scanning their surroundings. Out of nowhere, a venomous snake lunged at Norah from the right. She dodged just in time, but the snake pursued her relentlessly. She tried to outmaneuver it by circling a tree trunk, hoping to tangle it, but the snake quickly grew bored of the chase and slithered straight toward her.
“Run!” Kevin shouted, spotting several pairs of glowing eyes in the shadows. A tiger burst from the bushes, and the two took off, racing for their lives.
Norah knew they couldn’t keep running. Once night fell, they’d be trapped. As she passed a tree, she leaped, snapped off a branch, and turned just in time to drive it into the snake’s head. The viper fell lifeless, and the tiger roared in fury, as if mourning its companion.
“Climb the cliff!” Kevin yelled, hurling the torch at the tiger. The torch struck the beast’s head, igniting a small flame. The tiger froze, momentarily distracted. Norah seized the opportunity, grabbed the torch, and plunged it into the tiger with all her strength. The creature collapsed.
Kevin stared, stunned. The Norah he’d known five years ago was gone. This woman was fearless, decisive, and strong.
“We need to find shelter and make a fire,” Norah said, recalling a cliffside cave they’d passed earlier. They hurried toward it, the darkness now complete.
The cave was far from ideal—damp, overgrown with weeds, and barely habitable. The mountain cold was relentless, and Norah shivered, wrapping herself tightly in Kevin’s coat. She knew they needed to secure the entrance, but the chill sapped her energy. Watching Kevin work, she felt a wave of gratitude. “I’m glad you came. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Of course I came,” Kevin replied. “I’m your man. It’s my job to protect you.”
As the fire crackled to life, Kevin motioned for her to warm up. “I’ll look for a bigger stone to block the entrance,” he said. But just as Norah moved to sit, the fire sputtered and died. Startled, she instinctively clung to Kevin.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you,” he reassured her, lighting a lighter. He noticed water dripping from above where they’d built the fire. “That was careless,” he muttered, chuckling softly.
Norah suddenly grabbed his arm. “Wait,” she whispered, pointing upward. “It’s not water—it’s snake venom. We need to take it out, fast.”
Kevin nodded, unfazed. “Alright. Let’s do this. I’ll cook us some snake meat when we’re done.”
Working together, they swiftly dealt with the venomous snake. It was massive, easily as large as the one that had chased them earlier. When it finally fell, the cave trembled from the impact.
Norah and Kevin exchanged a glance, their bond stronger than ever. They were a team, ready to face whatever came next.