Snowed In

“So let’s uh… get ourselves situated.”

I pulled my boxers back up my legs, and settled my ski pants around my waist. Hers were still shredded in the front; two big tears from hip to ankle, courtesy of whatever rocks she’d happened to skid across during all the craziness. But those rips and tears had sure come in handy last night.

“D—Did you want your jacket back?” she asked, fixing herself.

“Nah.”

She smiled uneasily. “Good.”

Eventually we were face to face again, for the first time since last night. Staring at each other uncertainly.

“Listen uh… Shane?”

“Yes?”

“I’m— I’m not…” She hesitated, turning six different shades of red. “I mean, I don’t usually…”

I watched her squirm a few seconds longer before letting her off the hook. “Fuck the hell out of some perfect stranger after surviving an avalanche?”

She looked shocked by my boldness, but only for a second. “Yeah,” Morgan breathed gratefully. “That.”

“Me neither,” I smiled back. “Usually I wait until we’re rescued, then screw them in the hospital bed.” Her mouth opened and closed silently, so I winked at her. “Much more comfortable.”

She grinned, and somehow it lit up her whole face. Even in our dim little cave.

“You really think we’ll end up in hospital beds?” Morgan asked.

“Screwing?” I asked hopefully.

“No,” she said. “I mean… worse.”

“Not if I can help it,” I told her, as I smashed my way through the ceiling.

Eight

MORGAN

The world outside our little snow shelter was brutally cold, with winds that bit at every surface of exposed skin. I was in pain after only a dozen steps. But in just a few dozen more, I was numb again.

“KEEP MOVING!” Shane shouted over his shoulder. It was shocking how quickly his voice could be swallowed by the wind. “AND NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS… DON’T LOSE ME!”

I was right behind him as we made our way downward, stepping where he stepped, reaching out to touch him reassuringly from time to time. The snow sucked bad, but it was the glare that hurt the most. It blinded me to just about everything.

If you lose him, you’re dead.

The thought was sobering. It made me think of Faith.

Faith made it down the mountain, the little voice in my head told me. She was way ahead of you. The avalanche missed her.

I sure hoped so. But my optimism could’ve been nothing more than wishful thinking.

Focus on yourself Morgan! It’s all you can do right now.

For once I took my own advice. I reached out often, touching Shane’s shoulder or brushing his back with my fingers. I had to keep him at arm’s length. Had to know he was still there.

Even so, I was fearful. I was putting all my trust — my very life — in the hands of this guy I didn’t even know.

You know him now though, don’t you?