After three days, the long-awaited day for Noelle's medical mission had finally arrived. As early as 3:00 a.m., everyone who would join the mission was already at Campwood Medical Hospital. They were wearing comfortable hiking outfits and carrying large backpacks.
There were also trucks loaded with groceries for the Igo Tribe, along with the medical equipment they would need. Doctors specializing in pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, and overall wellness were present. The security team who would accompany them to the Igo Tribe was also ready.
The Igo Tribe is located deep within the dense forests of the Sierra Mountains.
"Doc Noelle! Are you ready?" Mel asked cheerfully.
And true enough—Mel was more than ready for the medical mission, dressed head to toe in proper hiking gear.
"I've been ready for a while," she replied with a laugh to her secretary.
"I hope I get to sit next to Doc Snapp," Mel said dreamily while staring at the handsome doctor.
Snapp was their neurologist. There were three female doctors and two male doctors joining the mission, and Snapp was the one everyone had a crush on.
He was young, single, and good-looking, which was why many nurses admired him—everyone except Noelle. She didn't have a crush on Snapp. To her, he was just a friend. Although he showed some interest in her, she firmly kept their relationship strictly friendly.
"Mel, we're here for a cause, not to fantasize," Noelle teased her.
"But Doc, this is the first time I'll be with Doc Snapp outside of work. Let me dream a little," Mel replied.
"What do you all even like about Snapp? He's a womanizer," Noelle said.
"And he has every right to be," Mel answered, even pointing at Snapp as he helped load the medical equipment onto the truck. "He's well-built, a gentleman, and most of all, he's kind."
"Fine, Mel," Noelle sighed.
"You really are something, Doc. That's why you don't have a boyfriend—you're all work."
"Boys don't serve my purpose," Noelle replied. "So I'd rather not have one."
Around 4:00 a.m., they left Campwood Hospital and headed toward the Sierra Mountains. The drive took about an hour, followed by more than three hours of hiking to reach the Igo Tribe. During the drive, Noelle managed to fall asleep and regain some strength.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, the trucks carrying groceries and medical equipment took a separate route leading directly to the tribe. Although they could have ridden along, they chose to hike instead—to experience the life of the Igo Tribe whenever they descended from the mountains.
"Whew! It's so hot!" one of the doctors complained as she rested under a large tree.
It was already 7:00 a.m., and the sun was high, but its heat wasn't too harsh on the skin. Still, the hike was exhausting—they had been walking for two hours, with one more hour to go before reaching the tribe.
"Hiking is really hard. I feel like I might collapse any minute, Doc Noelle," Mel said weakly while sitting on the ground.
"It really takes getting used to. I haven't hiked in two years—my feet hurt so much," Noelle complained.
Her joints ached as she drank some water and looked around.
The trees were massive, and faint sounds of birds and insects echoed through the forest. The air was incredibly fresh, and the surroundings were soothing to the eyes.
Sierra Mountain was truly one of a kind—peaceful and home to fifty tribes. The mountain was so vast that even with many tribes living there, it was almost impossible for them to cross paths.
It was also home to various kinds of flowers, trees, and animals. But for some reason, Noelle felt a different kind of peace—mixed with nostalgia. She couldn't figure out where that feeling was coming from. She had never been to Sierra before; this was her first time.
In her past missions, they had gone to other mountains in different cities. This was her first time in the Sierra Mountains.
It felt as if, the moment she set foot there, her destiny had already been bound to the place.
And there was something mysterious about this mountain.
"Sir Marvin, are there spirits in this mountain?" one of the nurses asked.
Noelle hadn't noticed that the group had started sharing eerie stories, with Mel eagerly listening in.
"Oh yes, ma'am! There are!" Marvin said dramatically. He was one of the security personnel with them. "Many hikers have seen beings not from this world. Some got lost, others lost their belongings. The worst cases were those who fell ill while hiking—but they recovered immediately once they left the mountain."
Noelle simply shook her head. Those were surely just made-up stories, though everyone else seemed completely convinced.
She focused instead on the scenery while they rested.
A few minutes later, they continued walking toward the Igo Tribe.