When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: False Compassion

“Hmph! What a phony!” Gianna sneered, lifting her chin with a defiant air. “This is none of your concern! I found food on my own, so spare me your fake sympathy!”

Amelia let out a weary sigh. “You shouldn’t eat too much of that fruit; it might—”

“Stop trying to scare me!” Gianna snapped sharply, cutting her off. “You just hate seeing me happy, don’t you?”

Ignoring Amelia’s warnings, Gianna continued plucking the ripe wild fruit, savoring its sweet taste. For once, she thought, at least she wouldn’t go hungry today.

Tomorrow, she planned to return home. Once there, she intended to report Amelia to her parents and Marcelo. “I’ll make sure she can’t stick around any longer,” Gianna vowed silently. All the pain and hardship she’d endured in recent days was Amelia’s fault.

Amelia didn’t bother arguing further. Instead, she turned away and resumed her search for food elsewhere.

Before long, Amelia succeeded in catching two wild rabbits and discovered a nest of quail eggs near the creek. Back at the campsite, she began preparing lunch. The enticing aroma of roasted rabbit soon wafted through the air, drawing everyone closer.

Suddenly, dark clouds rolled in overhead, and a fierce wind whipped through the trees.

The production crew’s urgent announcement crackled over the radio: “Emergency weather alert! A storm is approaching rapidly. All guests must proceed immediately to the cave on the east side for shelter!”

They had anticipated such a scenario during their site inspection.

Amelia swiftly gathered the essentials and led the group toward the cave. Halfway there, Patricia suddenly stopped and asked, “Wait, where’s Gianna?”

It was then Amelia realized Gianna wasn’t with them. Frowning, she scanned the dense jungle. “You all go on ahead to the cave. I’ll go look for her.”

Damn it, Gianna was probably still out picking fruit or maybe had gotten lost.

“It’s too dangerous! The storm’s coming!” Kristina grabbed Amelia’s arm, trying to stop her.

Heading out now would be a death wish.

Was Gianna out of her mind? Why did she always cause trouble for everyone else?

Amelia shook her head firmly. “Don’t worry. I can handle myself.”

Part of her wanted to leave Gianna to her fate after all the cruelty she’d shown. But she couldn’t ignore the reality—someone’s life was at stake.

Besides, if anything happened to Gianna, the production crew and the rest of them would be held accountable.

The best hope was that nothing would go wrong.

With that resolve, Amelia turned and plunged into the storm.

Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded with frantic messages.

[Oh my god! That’s way too dangerous!]

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify