“I’m not wandering. I know these mountains well. We’ve had bad storms before and I’ve always been fine. Don’t you remember when I fixed the generator?”
My sister laughs. “You tell me that story every three months or so. Do you promise to call me?Call, not text.”
“Yes. And stop worrying. I’ll go out before it gets dark.”
The light is just starting to fade when I trudge out to the back of my house and up the path through the forest. I’m bundled up, but the howling wind makes my teeth chatter.
Shaking the big bag of treats, I shout Scamp’s name. No response. The rising wind lifts my words and whips them away.
“Steakies!” I rattle the bag.
Snow is falling so thickly that the pines look like they’ve been double-dipped in white frosting. Further up the mountain, there’s a rustling noise under some greenery. Leaving the path, I struggle through the deep snow, the roar of the wind in my ears. Reaching a patch of holly bushes, overgrown and wild, I push through them.
The rustling sound is close by. My heart leaps.
“Scamp!” I call, breaking into a slow run. I’m nearly at the bushes when the wind blows a stray lock of hair out from under the hood of my coat. It glues itself to my eyes and I stop, trying to push it away. Once it’s dealt with, I step forward.
Skidding on a patch of ice, I fall over a buried log. Sucking in my breath at the sudden pain, I lay still. Snowflakes drop, whirling down from the sky onto my body. The sky is an eerie greenish-gray color.
Turning my head, I try to get my bearings. I’m near the crest of the mountain, but in all this whirling white, I’m not sure which way is which. I usually use the peaks to navigate; Sugar Mountain is east, while Ember Heart Ridge is west.
The angle of the mountain I’m on is hard to judge, but going downwards is my best bet. Gritting my teeth, I pull myself up and wince as my ankle twinges. I must have twisted it falling over that stupid log.
The rustling from the bushes above me gets louder and a huge deer steps out, his antlers covered in snow. He looks at me in surprise, then bounds off into the trees. The wind is now so fierce that it’s hard to stay upright. Putting my weight on my good leg, I try to walk back the way I came. But I keep falling over. Fear tightens my throat; the heavy snow has covered most of my tracks.
Sitting on my butt, I start scooting down, my ankle twinging every time I move. The white cloud of snow whirling around me is so thick that I don’t know where I’m headed. A couple of times I bump into a tree, then some unfamiliar rocks. I reach a pine with a huge half-broken branch which could provide some shelter.
This has all gone spectacularly wrong. My original plan to miraculously find Scamp and return before the worst of the storm hit seems ridiculous now. What was I even thinking?
Burying my hands in my pockets, I get out my phone. No signal. The compass shows I’m pointing west, which doesn’t make any sense. I can’t stay here. Despite my huge padded coat, thick knitted hat, and lined boots, I’m freezing. The wind pushes snow at a crazy angle through the trees.
“Hello!” A voice shouts from close by, making me jump.
“Yes! Help!” I squeak. My voice is hoarse from shouting for Scamp. Worried they won’t hear me, I frantically shake the branch above me.
Heavy footsteps trudge closer. A huge hand swipes away the branch, sending snow flying in every direction.
“Poppy?”
I nod. I’m so grateful to see this enormous guy that I might cry. “That’s me. How do you know my name?”
“We can talk later. I’m Flint. You’re damn lucky I found you. The worst of the storm is going to be here any minute. Can you walk?”
“I’ve twisted my ankle, but I can try.”
“No time for that.” He reaches his hands out and hauls me to my feet. He’s a foot taller than me, maybe more, and built like a truck. “We have to find shelter.”
I shake my head. “My cabin is close.”
“Not close enough. I parked there. We won’t make it back in time.”
“I’m sure I can–”
“Listen to me, Poppy. I’m mountain rescue, I work at the firehouse. You’re my responsibility now. Stop talking and do what I tell you.” His icy blue eyes are intense.
Something in my core flips, but I keep my voice level. “I appreciate you helping me, but I have to go home. The dog I’m trying to find is due to be–”
Flint grunts, pulling me closer, and hoists my body over his shoulder.
