She carried him as she climbed up from the bottom of a remote cliff.
Now that they were out of the dense forest that had blocked the view, a drone quickly spotted movement below.
The search and rescue team rushed over immediately.
From a few steps away, their experience told them the man had suffered a fatal injury and had been dead for some time. The woman's consciousness was hazy, likely from a lack of food and water and from being overcome with grief.
Looking closer, they saw a pass hanging around her neck.
To prevent outsiders from swarming the epicenter and causing trouble, the government had immediately set up checkpoints at all major nearby intersections. Only those who had been vetted and issued a pass were allowed in.
Family members who had lost contact with relatives and volunteered to join the search were, of course, granted permission.
The earthquake had struck two days ago, and the rescue team members were already accustomed to the sight of life and death.
