4. Reid
4
REID
A fter last night's heavy snowfall, the mountain rescue headquarters is a hive of activity. I sit at my desk, fidgeting with a pen, trying to focus on the paperwork before me. The monotony of these administrative tasks grates on my nerves, and I can't help but feel restless, longing for the adrenaline of a challenging rescue.
It’s not long before the shrill ring of the phone interrupts my thoughts, and I watch as Viggo answers it, hoping whoever's on the line will give me a reprieve from documenting twisted ankles.
Viggo's brow furrows as he listens, and I can tell from the tense set of his jaw that this is no routine rescue. I rise from my chair, curiosity piquing, and stand next to him as he puts the call on speaker.
"This is Viggo from the Hope Peak Mountain Angels. How can I help you, ma'am?" he says, his voice calm and reassuring.
"Oh, thank goodness," a woman's voice replies, laced with worry. "This is Evelyn Jones. My daughter Willow went skiing earlier today, and she was supposed to check in with me by now, but I haven't heard from her. I'm so worried. She's not in the best frame of mind right now, and I'm afraid something might have happened."
Viggo nods, his eyes meeting mine briefly. "Okay, Mrs. Jones, let's try to get some more information. When exactly did Willow leave for the slopes, and which area was she planning to ski?"
I listen intently as Evelyn provides the details, my mind racing.
Viggo continues his calm questioning, gathering as much information as he can. "We'll send a team up to search the area immediately, Mrs. Jones. I'll have one of my men call you back as soon as we have any updates. Try not to worry; we’ll find your daughter."
As Viggo ends the call, he turns to me, his expression serious. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize the gravity of the situation.
"Viggo, I know Willow," I blurt out, unable to contain my growing concern. "I gave her a lift to the slopes earlier today."
A brief flashback plays in my mind—the tense silence in the van and her attitude before that. Willow stared out the window, her eyes distant, before muttering, "I just need to get away from everything for a while." At the time, I had simply grunted in acknowledgment, but now those words take on a new weight.
"Reid, this could be serious," Viggo says, his brow furrowed with worry. "The snow has been heavy since midday, and she’s been alone for hours. I need you on this."
I nod, already moving towards the gear lockers as Viggo hurries after me.
"Did she say anything to you, Reid? When you gave her a lift?"
I nod, the memory of our tense interaction fresh in my mind. "Yeah. She seemed pretty determined to get away from it all."
Viggo sighs heavily. "That's what worries me." He gestures to the large map on the wall. "Based on the information her mother provided, she should have been on the runs at Snowy Summit, but no one has seen her there since you dropped her off."
I study the map, tracing the trails with my finger. "If she's gone off-piste, that's a challenging area, even for an experienced skier. With this heavy snowfall, visibility is going to be terrible."
Viggo nods, his expression grave. "I'm sorry, Reid, but I can't spare any more men. The storm is wreaking havoc, and other rescues are coming in." He places a hand on my shoulder, but he doesn't need to. I work best alone. "I need you to be careful out there, man. This storm isn't going to break until tomorrow. We can't even send a helicopter up until the wind dies down."
I clench my jaw, feeling the familiar adrenaline coursing through my veins. "I know these mountains better than anyone, Viggo. If Willow's out there, I'll find her."
Turning on my heel, I grab a heavy-duty backpack and start methodically packing it—an emergency medical kit, extra food and water, thermal blankets, ropes, and carabiners. I have no idea what I'm going to need on a rescue like this, but each item gives us an extra chance of survival.
As I move with practiced efficiency, my stomach churns with worry. I know Willow is much more capable than most in this environment, but nature can be deadly when you get on the wrong side of it. And she wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind when I dropped her off.
I pause for a moment, double-checking my pack to ensure I haven't forgotten anything essential. The sound of Viggo's footsteps behind me draws my attention, and I turn.
"I've got her phone pinging a location, but the signal is weak and sporadic," Viggo says. "It looks like she went off-piste towards the northern slopes. I'll radio you the coordinates, but Reid..." He places a hand on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with a silent understanding.
I nod, the weight of the responsibility settling on my shoulders. "I'll find her, Viggo. No matter what."
Viggo gives my shoulder a firm squeeze. "I know you will. Be careful out there; the storm's only getting worse."
With that, I sling the backpack over my shoulder and head for the exit, bracing myself for the onslaught of the elements. As I step outside, the wind howls, whipping the thick snowflakes into a frenzy. I pause for a moment, taking in the bleak, whiteout conditions, and a chill that has nothing to do with the temperature runs down my spine.
Gritting my teeth, I hurry to my truck, the crunch of the fresh snow underfoot a familiar and comforting sound.
With a deep breath, I shift the truck into gear and head out into the storm.