I wrap a few scarves around my neck, my pink fluffy earmuffs that Blaire got me, and grab my big, puffy coat.
“Good morning,” he says.
“Are you ready?” I ask, not wanting to waste time. Last night only happened because it was so late, and they had started to close everything down. We weren’t allowed to leave the resort, or I would have been out there looking for our parents. Instead, I put myself into this situation.
Go fucking me.
“Yeah, just let me grab my coat.”
I don’t really care if he needs to grab his coat. I don’t need him to meet up with the search and rescue party. I grab my key card and walk out of the room, pressing the button to the elevator. And so help me god, if this metal deathtrap leaves me trapped with Rowan again, I’m going to write a letter to whoever owns this resort and give them a piece of my mind.
The doors slide open, and I step in. Peaking my head out between the doors, I don’t see Rowan, so I press the button to close them.
“Hey! Wait up,” he shouts.
Yeah, no.
The doors close right as he gets in front of them, and I smirk. I press the button to the lobby and hum as the elevator takes me down. It can shut down now for all I care. I’m alone. I should feel bad for leaving Rowan behind—this is a search for our parents after all—but I don’t. I don’t need him to hold my hand while we search.
A ding sounds, and the door parts, revealing the lobby of the resort. The thick red carpet cushions my heavy boots as I stride into the lobby. There are police everywhere, along with a few other people possibly volunteering their time for the search. It makes tears come to my eyes.
A team of search dogs sit next to their master, waiting for a command, ready to search and save a life. When I stand in the circle, one of the officers gives me a sad smile before walking over to me.
“You must be Everly?” he asks.
“I am,” I shuffle on my feet.
“I’m sorry you’re here for this and not vacation.”
“We would have come no matter what. Wouldn’t we, Everly?” Rowan’s angry voice interrupts my conversation with the handsome officer.
“Of course. Officer?” I hold out my hand to introduce myself formally.
“Officer Kendall, but you can call me Josh.”
“Josh, this is my stepbrother, Rowan Michaels. His father is also with my mother.” I make sure to emphasis the ‘step’, just to piss Rowan off.
“We will do our best to find them. I know this can’t be easy for you. Since you are both here, we will get the rescue started.” He whistles, gathering everyone’s attention with the loud, piercing whistle. Everyone’s conversations quiet down, and they stare at Josh.
“This is Everly and Rowan. The children of the couple we are looking for today. It’s going to be cold, windy, and the snowstorm is coming, so snow will start to fall from the outer bands of the storm. It’s going to be dangerous. You have to make sure you’re ready because anything can happen on these mountains. Safety first. We don’t want any more people lost out there. If you don’t want to search, it’s okay.” He stops speaking, waiting for anyone to leave the group.
Everyone stays put, though. And Rowan’s hand lands on my shoulder. I shrug it off, not wanting him to touch me. I want us to find our parents, and then I only want to see him if necessary, and there is no way to avoid it.
“Alright, everyone. Pair up and let’s roll out. Everly, you’re with me,” Josh says.
“I don’t think so,” Rowan interjects.
“Oh, I’ll be fine. Why don’t you pair up with someone else?” I give him a look that says I don’t want to be anywhere near him.
“Now is not the time for this shit, Everly,” he says through locked teeth.
“Then stop and go. I’m fine Rowan. I just want to find them already. Isn’t that why we’re here? Wouldn’t want to make any mistakes,” I spit, right before turning on my heel and following Josh out the doors.
A cold burst of wind hits me in the face, waking me up. I wouldn’t have been able to guess that it is morning because the thick, heavy clouds block the sun. The snow is already starting to fall, and the wind seems like it’s going to be monstrous and unforgiving, already chapping my lips.
Damn, and I don’t think I brought chapstick. I stare out into the menacing mountain in front of me. Since the clouds are so dark and grey, it casts an eerie feeling over the situation. I feel as though I’m staring at death. The darkness is laughing at me by howling in the wind as it whips around me. My breath freezes, but it doesn’t linger long from irate mother nature taking it from me.
“Are you ready?”
I turn my head over to Josh as he stares at me with worry. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to look for my mother. She’s lost on that mountain, probably cold, if not already dead.” The truth leaves my mouth so quick; I can’t stop it.
The severity of the situation hits me hard. The truth churns my gut as if I’m in a cauldron, and it’s spinning its poison. My hand flies to the twist in my stomach, and tears brim my eyes. The chances of my mother being alive are slim. I probably won’t see her again. My mind has been preoccupied with Rowan, and an ember of a flame stayed lit for Mom and his father, but now that I’m here, staring at the maniacal mountain, standing tall, towering over me, showcasing its strength…
The sky is dark.
Thunder and snow rumble in the sky, flashing a bolt of
