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Chapter 5

Author: Holly Coco
Like the ominous prelude to a nightmare, the two hours preceding the earthquake felt just like the start of any ordinary workday. Little did we anticipate that an unexpected natural catastrophe would shatter our tranquil lives so abruptly.

It was early March in Peneland, and despite the lingering snow, cherry blossoms had already begun to grace us with their presence. To offer an early reward before the ensuing two weeks of demanding work, our supervisor had granted us an early break. He had chosen the Peneland Ski Resort as our retreat—a renowned destination globally and conveniently close to our base, fostering team bonding among our team.

"Peneland Ski Resort? I was there last year. I mainly remember the international acclaim for their beautiful scenery. Do you have a fondness for the place?" Luke's voice came through, somewhat muffled by the blaring horns of traffic.

"Are you driving?"

"Yeah, heading back home today. Traffic's a bit of a mess."

It marked the first time I'd hea
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