Chapter 3

3

I had no choice. I used my trekking poles to support my numb body and stood up with great difficulty.

"Let me help you, Sienna," CeCe said with fake concern.

Before I could push her away, she grabbed my arm. She "accidentally" pressed her hand hard against my injured ankle and squeezed.

The pain was so intense that my vision went black. Tears flooded my eyes instantly.

I shoved her away with everything I had. "Get the hell away from me!"

CeCe let out a soft cry and collapsed gracefully into the snow. Her eyes turned red as she started to sob.

Lukas didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and shoved me hard. I almost tumbled down the slope.

"What the hell is wrong with you? CeCe was trying to help, and you push her?"

CeCe started adding fuel to the fire. "Lukas, don't blame her. She's just mad I'm using her sleeping bag. I can handle a little abuse as long as she leads us down safely."

Lukas was livid. He walked up and slapped me twice, hard.

"Don't think you can bully her just because she's kind. I won't allow it!"

"Touch her again and see what happens!"

He used all his strength. My ears were ringing, and my cheeks puffed up and burned. But that pain was nothing compared to the hole in my heart.

I gave up on explaining anything. "I can walk by myself. I don't need her."

"You don't want her help because you're looking for a chance to slip away, aren't you?" CeCe said snidely.

Lukas glared at me with pure loathing. "Sienna, if you pull any more stunts and slow us down, I'll be the first one to deal with you!"

He turned to a colleague named Wes. "Wes, keep a close eye on her. If she tries anything, tie her up!"

"With this blizzard, any 'accident' will just be blamed on the weather anyway."

I knew that threat was for me. I also knew he was capable of doing it. These colleagues were his loyal followers. They would lie for him.

I just had to survive until Sullivan arrived. Wes grabbed me by the arms and forced me to trudge through the deep snow. He didn't care that my ankle was swelling like a balloon.

We hiked for a long time. My breathing became shallow, and my heart felt like it was about to stop.

Suddenly, Lukas, who was scouting ahead, shouted, "Watch out! Crevasse ahead!"

Before he finished speaking, CeCe shoved me in the back. She pushed me right to the front of the line, into the danger zone.

I heard the sickening crack of ice beneath my boots. If I hesitated for even half a second, I would fall into a bottomless abyss.

My survival instinct kicked in. I slammed my trekking pole into a nearby ice wall with the last of my strength. I stopped right at the edge.

But that impact caused a nearby snow ledge to collapse. I lost my balance and slid down a steep slope.

Luckily, it wasn't a full avalanche. While they were busy panicking above, I slid into a hollow behind a large rock. I hid myself quickly.

I grabbed my satellite phone and sent my updated coordinates. I just hoped help would come before I froze.

The shouting above lasted for a while before it faded. They probably thought I was dead and kept going.

I hid behind the rock, barely daring to breathe. My enemies weren't just the cold anymore. It was the people I used to call friends.

I watched the trail through the swirling snow. I prayed for Sullivan but terrified that Lukas's face would appear.

Then, I heard footsteps. The crunch of boots on snow got closer and closer.