The wind screamed like a hungry animal, whipping the snow against Ester's face. Her cloak flapped violently, nearly ripped off with each gust, but she kept going. The muscles in her legs burned with each step, sinking knee-deep into the soft snow, but she didn't stop.
On her back, Damon's body seemed to weigh more than any mountain. It wasn't just the physical weight—it was what he represented.
"Idiot…" she muttered for the tenth time, her teeth clenched. "Why didn't you stay close to me?"
Her jaw clenched.
"Why did you have to separate?"
The snow crunched against her boots. With each step, anger boiled.
"Why didn't you keep going? Why did you have to disappear like some idiot?!"
Her breath came in white clouds, filled more with fury than exhaustion.
"Why did you make me look for you in this icy hell?!" She practically spat the words, her voice nearly drowned out by the wind.
