“Then just get a normal phone that isn’t as expensive and enough credit in case this happens. That’s what I do.” I bring out the foil blanket and shake it out. “Just like I always have my first aid kit with me. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Katie looks bemused.

“You do this a lot?”

“I’ve been skiing for years. My parents ensured I knew exactly what to do if I was in trouble.” I lay the blanket around her and tuck it carefully around her body. “Do you want me to remove your goggles? I can do that, at least.”

“Please.” Katie licks her lips. “Can you find my dad? I want my dad.”

“Where is he?”

“He should…should be on his way down. He said he was coming behind me, and I could go down alone. I’m beginning to regret it now.”

Then she begins to cry, and I have no idea how to comfort her.

***

Finn

My stomach drops when I see the two figures at the side of the slope as I make a turn. My first thought goes to Katie. Has she had an accident? I shouldn’t have told her to go alone, but I thought she was mature enough to handle it. She had managed the red slope fine yesterday.

Someone is kneeling beside the fallen person, and I see a foil blanket over them. At least someone is prepared; I keep leaving my first aid kit in the hotel room. My confidence makes me sure that nothing’s going to happen.

Now I’m feeling underprepared.

I slow just off the slope and unsnap the skis from my boots. Then I make my way down towards them. Even if it’s not Katie, I’m not about to go by and leave them alone. They’re going to need help.

As I get closer, I see the fallen person look toward me. I can immediately see that it’s Katie. Her face is almost as white as the snow.

“Dad?”

Panic squeezes my chest as I fall to my knees beside her.

“Shit, Katie!” I stroke her cheek. “What happened?”

“My arm hurts.” She’s speaking through gritted teeth. “I think my arm’s broken. Or maybe my shoulder. I don’t know.”

“We shouldn’t move her right now,” the other person says gently. “We don’t want to make her worse by moving her until the paramedics arrive.”

That voice sounds familiar. Then I see her remove her helmet and goggles, tugging her face mask down. It’s Jade. Her cheeks are red, and her expression is solemn as she looks at me.

“What about the helmet?” I ask. “It can’t be comfortable.”

“If she has a neck injury, taking her helmet off could worsen it. I’m not doing anything that could harm her more.” Jade brings out a battered-looking cell phone. “I’m going to call for help. You can go further up the slope and make sure that nobody skis close to us so we don’t have more of an accident.”

“I’m not leaving my daughter,” I say and scowl at her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

It looks like she’s going to argue, but instead, she sighs and gets up.

“Okay, fine. I’ll do it, then. Just don’t move her, and keep that blanket on her. She needs to keep warm as much as possible. I don’t know how long it’ll be until help arrives.”

“Are you saying it could be hours?”

“I don’t think it’ll be that long, but we could be here for a bit.” Her expression softens. “She’s going to be okay, Finn.”

She walks away, moving up the hill and onto the slope, her pink ski suit making her stand out. I see her put her cell phone to her ear, but I can’t hear what she’s saying with the blood pounding in my head.

“Dad?”