He hurriedly jumped down from the tree and gently comforted her in a soft voice. Unexpectedly, the girl clung to his neck like an octopus, refusing to let go no matter what he said.
“I don’t want to be abandoned! Please don’t leave me! I’ll be good, I promise! Just don’t throw me away!” Her heartbroken cries struck his cold heart like a heavy hammer, making it tremble with pain. He reached out and lightly patted her back, imitating how he had once seen adults soothe children, patiently coaxing her. Sure enough, before long, she broke into a teary smile.
Through their conversation, he learned that the girl’s name was Victoria. She had gotten separated from her father while hiking. Apparently, her father had argued with her grandfather and, out of spite, insisted on taking her up the mount
