Page 8 of My Savior Valentine

I just wanted to be left alone, to have a chance to figure out who I am without the weight of their expectations on my shoulders. But now, as I lie here in this tiny snow cave, my leg throbbing with pain, I realize how foolish I was.

I close my eyes, trying to push away the fear that threatens to overwhelm me. I have to believe that my parents have noticed my absence by now and contacted search and rescue. My mom, with her uncanny ability to sense when something's wrong, would have raised the alarm as soon as I missed our check-in.

But a part of me, the stubborn, independent part, bristles at the thought of needing to be rescued. I've always prided myself on my ability to handle anything, to push through pain and adversity, and come out on top. The idea of being helpless, of needing someone else to save me, goes against everything I've ever believed about myself.

I curl up tighter, hoping against hope that someone, maybe even Reid, will find me.

6

REID

The biting wind stings my eyes, forcing me to squint against the relentless onslaught of thick, swirling snow. I pull my goggles down to shield my face, but it does little good. Despite the harsh conditions, I refuse to give up. This kind of rescue is what I’ve been waiting for. It’s what I live for.

The radio crackles to life, Viggo's voice barely audible over the howling gale. "We've located her phone... in your search area."

Relief floods through me, quickly followed by a surge of urgency.

"The conditions are brutal," I growl into the radio, my words clipped. "Visibility is almost zero."

Viggo's response is tinged with regret. "I know, Reid. Everyone else is out on missions right now. There's no one else I can send."

I grit my teeth, my grip tightening on the radio. "I don’t need help. I've got this," I say, my voice brooking no argument. This is what I was trained for - navigating treacherous terrain, relying on my senses and instincts to locate and extract those inperil. The thought of Willow, vulnerable and in pain, fuels my determination.

I shove the radio back onto my belt and start moving, my steps methodical. The snow is deep; each stride is arduous, but I push on. My eyes scan the landscape, searching for any sign of disturbance in the pristine white blanket.

"Willow!" I call out, my voice hoarse from the biting cold. "Willow, can you hear me?"

I pause, straining to hear any response over the howling wind. Nothing. I move forward again, zigzagging through the trees, my mind hyper-focused.

I must have been searching the mountain for at least thirty minutes when a faint sound, barely audible above the storm, reaches my ears. My heart leaps, and I turn sharply, my senses heightened.

"Willow!" I shout again, my voice carrying more urgency.

This time, I hear a muffled reply, a desperate cry for help. Without hesitation, I forge ahead, my legs pumping as I navigate the treacherous terrain. I catch a glimpse of something in the distance, a small mound in the snow. As I draw closer, I realize it's a makeshift shelter, and my relief is palpable.

I clamber over the drifts of snow, my heart pounding in my chest as I reach the shelter. Crouching down, I call out Willow's name, my voice laced with a rare urgency.

"Willow! Can you hear me?"

A muffled groan reaches my ears, and I waste no time digging into the snow, clearing an opening. There she is, huddled in a makeshift cocoon, her face pale and etched with pain.

"Easy, I've got you," I say, my tone uncharacteristically gentle as I carefully assess her condition. Her leg is twisted at an unnatural angle, and I wince at the sight. "I'm going to get you out of here."

Willow's eyes flutter open, and for a moment, I'm struck by the intensity of their emerald hue, even in her distress. "R-Reid?" she croaks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, already reaching for the medical kit strapped to my pack. "The one and only. Just try to stay still, okay? I need to check that leg."

Willow nods weakly, and I get to work, my movements swift and efficient. As I carefully inspect her leg, I can't help but notice the way her face grimaces in pain, her teeth clenched against the agony. Something inside me twists at the sight, an unfamiliar sensation that I quickly push aside.

"It's broken, that's for sure," I mutter, gently probing the swollen limb. "You're one tough woman, Willow, hanging in there like this."

Willow lets out a shaky breath, her eyes meeting mine. "I... I didn't think anyone would find me," she admits, her voice thick with relief and embarrassment.

"Well, you thought wrong," I reply, keeping my tone matter-of-fact. "Lucky for you, I was in the area." I reach into my pack, retrieving a small splint and some bandages. "You’ve done a good job with the sticks, but I need to immobilize that leg properly. Try to hold still."

Willow nods, bracing herself as I begin the delicate process of removing the makeshift planks and securing the splint. She sucks in a sharp breath, her face contorting with pain, but she doesn't make a sound. I work quickly, my hands steady and sure.

Once the splint is in place, I sit back on my heels, assessing the situation. The storm rages on, the howling wind and swirling snow making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet in front of us. I frown, the reality of our predicament sinking in.

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