45 THIS IS NOT HOW THE STORY ENDS

"How could Red be in here?"

As far as she knows, he had no idea she would be visiting the Ball's Pyramid today. And even if he did, how would he be in this location this quickly? She was 49 nautical miles away from Lord Howe Island!

Zoe looked back so she could check on him. He was on his road to strike her bloodthirsty assailant.

"Is he following me? Or is it purely a coincidence?"

She wanted to stay and confirm if it positively was Red. She didn't want him to risk his life because of her. But the breathable oxygen in her scuba tank was already draining out.

"Alp!"

Zoe gasped sharply. She was already running out of air. Zoe swam as fast as she could above the seawaters.

She could not afford a few more minutes underwater without sufficient oxygen. It would definitely lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide in her bloodstream.

If she couldn't prevent it from happening, she could have nitrogen narcosis. Much worst, she could have potential brain damage.

"This is not how my story will end!"

There are moments in her life when she wished to disappear and just follow her mom and dad. She recollected the times when she frequently goes to a bridge and contemplated jumping from there.

But now that she was a few breathless seconds from imminent death, she instantly realized that she was not ready yet.

"Help me, God!"

She rushed fiercely towards the top at full speed with every possible inch of her will power, so she could survive.

She was still on her way to becoming the COO. She was nearing to her glorious revenge on Savannah. Her heart is still set on proving to the world that a terrible past does not shape one's ultimate destiny.

'I will live. I will show them who's the queen!'

"Ha!" she blurted out the moment her face felt the raw oxygen from the air above the waters. She took in a lungful of air and exhaled forcefully.

Her wavering eyes darted up and observed where she was. She was expecting to lay her eyes on the radiant indigo sky. Beautifully shaped clouds would cordially greet her and heartily welcome her to shore.

To her surprise, a hundred feet up was absolute darkness. It was held together by a cavern, surrounded by giant stalactites and bat roosts.

'Where am I?' She put on her thinking cap as she swam and climbed to one of the rocks. While still panting for breath, she glanced wistfully around the sacred cave where she was. There was no one else in sight.

She lied down, gently closed her eyes, and relaxed her sore body.

"If only I am in a different situation right at this time. I would sincerely appreciate being here."

She studied the brightly colored stalactites hanging from the lofty ceiling. Flowstones decorated the rocky floor and impenetrable walls with intricate patterns resembling arresting carvings.

"This spot is heavenly." 

Zoe drew in a sharp breath. It's the best hideout if you want to escape from anyone or even just to enjoy some alone time with yourself.

"Is this really a safe place like what Red said?"

Her drained body eased off in the relaxing atmosphere of the cave. The rocks seemed to possess health-giving properties in themselves. She closed her fatigued eyes and felt like she was having a luxury spa in a therapeutic room.

In her conscious mind, she wanted to stand up and check on her savior underwater. Or Mrs. Gong, the key reason why she was there in the first place. But her tired body seemed to be saying otherwise.

"Maybe later. I'll just rest for a little while."

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Little Zoe felt surreal. She's in a mystical state of complete calmness. She had a sense of total contentment and completion and in direct connection with all divine creation.

"Am I dead?" Little Zoe asked herself. She strained to open her sleepy eyes.

An enormous tree was in front of her. Its extraordinary beauty surpassed all the majestic creation on habitable earth that she had ever seen.

Every fascinating part of it, from the visible root to its lavish branches to its budding leaves and luscious fruits, looked unique. They glowed brilliantly with peculiar tints and lovely shades that she has not encountered before.

"The tree seemed to breathe with life," Zoe exclaimed in awe.

As it breathes out, an atmosphere of both passion and power radiated from the root to its abundant branches.

It looked alive, ancient and supernatural, like all the life on earth stemmed from it.

"Where am I?"

Little Zoe tried to look around. There are other exotic plants, gorgeous flowers, and flowery trees that were overwhelmingly stunning to behold.

But they were not as magnificent as the enormous tree. It is ideally situated in the center of paradise.

She was intrigued to know more about this awe-inspiring location, but her eyes were so heavy. The ambiance made her want to sleep forever.

She again shut her eyes.

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"Zoe! Zoe!" A deep and firm voice woke her from her sleep.

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