Chapter 49
At long last William stops with an elegant parallel turn to wait for the rest of the group. Olivia only just spots him in the fog, but she battles her way to where he is standing, with snow up to his knees.
Fear is pecking at her breast. She will never know how she managed to make it down that terrible, steep run. There is snow inside her collar, and the back of her neck and spine are freezing cold.
Right now she never, ever wants to ski again.
“Nice run!” William shouts.
He seems perfectly calm and not in the least bit tired. Olivia can see that he is reveling in his superiority. He can get down any run, and he knows it.
She used to find that absolute self-confidence attractive, but now she just wants to punch him, make that smug smile disappear forever.
But she can’t afford to make an enemy of him.
She has enough problems with Amir and Pontus.
Personally, she is completely exhausted. Her muscles are on fire, and last night’s lack of sleep and bad dreams are not helping.
What was she thinking when she suggested this route? How stupid was she?
“Was it hard?” William asks, sounding more sympathetic. “You look exhausted. Are you going to be able to cope with the Western?”
Not him as well.
Olivia nods. William is not the type to hold your hand when you feel sad and pathetic; it was her strength and feistiness that he fell for.
This day is not over yet. The worst still lies ahead.
Two dark figures emerge through the milky fog that has taken over the world. First Amir, then Pontus, who is panting audibly when he stops a couple of yards away, his back and shoulders covered in snow.
It looks as if he has fallen over several times.
He pulls off one glove and starts tugging at the chin strap of his helmet. Olivia is relieved to have a brief extra respite. If Pontus needs to rest, then it will give her a chance to recover too.
Her legs feel like jelly, her muscles are beginning to cramp. Her back is soaked in sweat after the exertion of the descent.
Amir doesn’t look too good either. He is red in the face, and his chest is heaving.
When he glances toward the ravine, Olivia can see the unease in his eyes.
He knows what is coming.
Before them lies the mouth of hell.