CHAPTER 56: RETURN TO THE OWNER

"Oh my God... are you hurt? You need to go to a hospital!"

"There’s a cut on my hand, Mom, but it’s nothing serious. I’m in a safe place now. Please try to stay calm, okay?"

His mother paused for a few seconds, then replied softly, "Next time, be more careful, Alaric. Just stay where you are. I’ve already sent some of your staff to come get you. Donny said he’s on his way to help too."

"Okay, Mom."

After ending the call, Alaric set his phone on the table and turned his attention to the food that was just being served.

As he sipped his tea, he glanced at the woman running the small food stall, busy serving other customers. Even though the place was crowded, she looked over at him several times to make sure he was alright.

While Alaric was eating, the woman came over again. "I’ve called the doctor at the local clinic. He’s on his way here to treat your wound. No need for you to go anywhere."

Not long after, a man wearing a health center jacket arrived carrying a medical bag. He approached Alaric with a warm smile. "You must be Alaric, right? Let me take a look at your hand."

The doctor quickly removed the makeshift bandage Alaric had applied earlier. He cleaned the wound and replaced it with a fresh dressing. "Luckily, there’s no sign of infection. But you should avoid moving around too much."

Alaric thanked the doctor for taking care of him. After that short treatment, he already felt a bit more refreshed.

He even chuckled when the stall owner handed him a piece of cake. "A little sweetness to help you feel strong again," she joked.

About half an hour later, the roar of a car engine echoed outside the stall. A tall man stepped out in a hurry.

"Bro!"

It was Donny, his friend who had mobilized some people from their office to come help. His face was filled with concern. "Man, how the hell did this even happen? I heard from your mom and rushed straight here."

Alaric greeted him with a tired smile. "Long story. But right now, I need your help. I tossed my bag outside the cave before getting out. It should be close to the entrance. Can you try to find it?"

Donny gave a firm nod. "Alright. You remember exactly where it landed?"

"I can point out the direction... just can’t go back there myself in this condition."

"No worries. I brought three SAR guys with me. Not many, since I thought you were already safe, but it should be enough to search for your bag." Donny glanced toward his car, where three men in SAR uniforms were checking their gear.

Alaric felt a bit of relief hearing that. Donny added, "I also brought some guys from the office, but I told them to stay here and keep an eye on you. I don’t want anyone getting stuck out there if the area’s still unstable or if there’s another quake."

Alaric just nodded. Deep down, he was grateful to have a friend like Donny. Practical, but genuinely caring. Despite the exhaustion, he felt a renewed sense of hope.

That bag held prototypes and notes that were incredibly important. Including a leaf he had just discovered. If it could be found, everything would start looking up.

–

Donny and three members of the SAR team walked across the damp sand, tracing the curve of the shoreline not far from the small beachside stall where Alaric was waiting. The sea breeze blew a little stronger than usual, making the small flag on one of the SAR member’s backpacks flap wildly.

The most senior of the team, a muscular man with sun-darkened skin, turned to Donny.

"Sir, maybe it’s best if you don’t come all the way to the site. Let us handle the search. This is our job, and the situation’s still risky."

But Donny only gave a slight smile and shook his head.

"If I come along, we might find it faster. I know the landmarks, it’ll save time."

They exchanged glances, unsure. But in the end, they let Donny tag along behind them. Once someone was that determined, all they could do was remind him to be cautious.

"Alright, then just be careful. Don’t rush ahead. There might be aftershocks or something unexpected. Nature hasn’t exactly been friendly lately," the senior SAR member warned again.

Donny nodded vaguely, responding with a half-hearted "Yeah, yeah..." as he quickened his pace. In his mind, he just wanted to get this done and bring Alaric’s bag back before the weather took a turn for the worse.

The thirty-meter walk felt longer than it should have, thanks to the slick coral rocks and sand dunes along the way. Donny was now in front, his eyes scanning the tall cliff walls just ahead. The crash of waves grew louder, blending with the wind that carried the salty scent of the sea.

Then, his eyes caught something. A silhouette among the large rocks, right outside a partially covered cave entrance. Donny stepped closer, crouching slightly to check. He spotted a zipper, partially open.

"There it is..."

But as he reached for the bag, a sharp hiss cut through the air. From a narrow crevice in the cave wall, a snake emerged. Brownish black, eyes narrowed, its forked tongue flicking rapidly.

Donny instinctively stepped back, his pulse racing. His mind flashed back to Alaric’s story. Was this the same snake? The one that nearly bit his friend?

"Great... just what I needed," he muttered, glancing around. His eyes landed on a dry branch lying nearby on the sand.

Quickly, he grabbed it and waved it toward the snake.

"Hey! Get out of here!" he shouted, swinging the stick to intimidate the creature.

The snake hissed again, coiling slightly as if preparing to strike. But then it backed off, slithering into the darkness of the crevice.

Without wasting a second, Donny grabbed the bag with both hands and quickly checked to make sure nothing had spilled out or gone missing.

"Finally got it," he said under his breath with relief.

From behind, one of the SAR team called out,

"Mr. Donny! Did you find it?"

"Got it!" Donny shouted back, raising the bag above his head like a trophy.

The team began making their way toward him, but before they could close the distance, a loud rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. A long, growling sound that made the clouds tremble.

One of the SAR members glanced upward.

"Looks like heavy rain’s coming. Let’s head back to the shore before it hits."

Donny took one last look toward the cave to make sure there was nothing else left behind, then turned and followed the team.

The wind, which had been cool, now carried the sticky warmth that came just before rain. They moved faster, crossing the slick rocks and wet sand.

The sand began to soften under their feet as light rain turned heavier. The SAR team followed closely behind, each carrying the gear they had brought.

In Donny’s hand, the black backpack swung gently, now damp with sea spray and cave mist. From a distance, he could see the simple stall by the shore. Its metal roof clattering softly under the rain.

Under that roof, Alaric sat leaning against a wooden bench. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw his friend approaching. He stood halfway and waved.

"Bro! Over here! Come get out of the rain!"

Donny smiled and picked up his pace, brushing the rain off his shoulders.

"Here it is, your precious bag," he said, handing it over.

Alaric grabbed the bag with both hands and hugged it for a moment, like someone reunited with something valuable.

"Thank God," he sighed, quickly checking the outside of the bag zippers, fabric, all still intact.

Seeing that reaction, Donny raised an eyebrow, curiosity creeping in.

"What’s in there, man? You look like you just got your hands on treasure."

Alaric exhaled slowly and lowered his voice.

"The usual. Prototype designs, new product plans set to launch soon. If this went missing, it’d be a nightmare."

Donny nodded, though his eyes lingered on his friend.

"Yeah... fair enough," he muttered, deciding not to dig any further. Especially not now, when things had just started to settle.

His gaze then shifted to the white bandage wrapped around Alaric’s left hand. He motioned toward it with his chin.

"Take it easy, man. Your hand’s still injured."

"It’s okay. I had it treated," Alaric replied calmly.

"By who?"

"There’s a clinic nearby. The lady who owns this place called someone from the local health center."

"Oh," Donny nodded, letting the answer sink in. He didn’t press further. The important thing was that Alaric had received proper care, both medical and from those who cared enough to come find him.

Outside, the rain had grown heavier, drumming rhythmically against the tin roof. The SAR team had already left, heading to their next task.

The two of them sat side by side on the wooden bench, occasionally glancing at the rain outside. Waiting for it to ease. The rest of Donny’s team waited inside. But Donny and Alaric said they wanted to soak in the moment. Just nature, the sea, and silence.

Now and then, Donny sipped from the hot coffee he’d ordered, while Alaric simply stared at the bag now resting safely at his feet.

No words were needed. Just the sound of rain, the scent of salt in the air, and the quiet comfort of knowing everything had returned to a safe place. Soon, they’d head home, where Alaric could rest and recover.