Mountain 2

 

Chapter 2 

Chapter 2 

The atmosphere in the car suddenly grew heavier. Samantha also composed herself. 

“We’ll ride with you back to Philadelphia to pay our respects. After all, the departed deserves honor.” 

Kim glanced at Peter, who remained silent, her knuckles whitening on the steering wheel. 

She had no family. No friends. 

Perhaps having someone attend her own funeral meant she wouldn’t be alone when she left. 

“Thank you.” 

Kim kept driving at a steady pace. 

Snow chains clanked rhythmically against the icy road as endless white swallowed the path ahead. 

In the backseat, Samantha nestled against Peter and couldn’t resist probing Kim’s romantic past. 

“Kim, why did you break up with your boyfriend back then? 

I remember you were crazy about him-your social media feed was filled with love notes for him.” 

Kim paused briefly. “His friend called me his lapdog. He didn’t deny it. I just… lost interest.” 

Three years ago at graduation, Kim had pulled two all-nighters designing Peter’s professional portfolio. 

Just as she was about to hand it to him, she overheard his friends mocking her. 

Their words were vicious, yet Peter merely swirled his wine glass, offering no defense. 

Worse-he seemed faintly amused. 

That was the moment everything felt hollow. 

Samantha abruptly sat up straight. 

“That’s just wrong! How awful!” 

“But then again, you can tell a man by the company he keeps. Good riddance, Kim.” 

Kim gave a noncommittal hum to Samantha’s indignant outburst. 

“Mm.” 

Peter’s voice cut through the silence like ice. 

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“Relationships are private matters. That seems a flimsy reason to end things, Ms. Lee.” 

Kim stayed silent, but Samantha bristled beside him. 

“What do you know? Some men sabotage their own relationships!” 

“Peter, if your friends ever badmouth me, you better defend me. Or else.” 

Peter’s jaw tightened. After a long pause, he ground out, “Fine.” 

Outside, snow fell thicker, frosting the windshield into a white haze. 

With visibility dropping, Kim turned on the AC defroster. 

Samantha rubbed her hands together, breath misting in the backseat. 

“It’s freezing in here! Kim, turn on the heat.” 

Remembering the body in the trunk, Kim handed Samantha several hand warmers from her bag instead. 

“Heat makes the air stuffy. Use these.” 

When their fingers brushed, Samantha gasped at Kim’s frosty touch. 

“You’re ice-cold! You’ll catch your death without heat!” 

Kim hesitated. Of course she had no living warmth-she was dead. 

But how to explain? 

Suddenly, Peter leaned forward and flicked on the heater. 

“Highland flu can be life-threatening, Ms. Lee. Since we’re in your car, our safety is your responsibility.” 

Hearing his trademark commanding tone, Kim sighed inwardly and stayed quiet. 

Only the crunch of tires compacting snow filled the silence. 

After an unknown length of time, they finally drove out of the snow-packed road and reached the town at the moun- 

tain’s base 

Peter looked at the darkening sky outside the window and said, “It’s too late. We’ll stay here tonight.” 

Kim frowned “No, I must get back to Philadelphia within three days. I can’t stay overnight here.” 

Samantha pointed at the thick snow outside, her face full of disapproval 

“It’s dark with heavy snow. Driving at night isn’t safe-we can’t prioritize speed over our lives!” 

Kim’s gaze swept over the rear of the car before deciding, “Til keep driving You two stay in town and book flights 

back tomorrow.” 

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The tires made a muffled thud in the snow as the car stopped before a guesthouse. 

Kim unlocked the doors and gestured for them to exit. 

But Peter pressed the ignition button to cut the engine and yanked out the keys. 

“The blizzard shut down the city. All trains and flights are canceled.” 

“Miss Kim, you promised to travel together with us. A person should honor their word.” 

He got out, opened the driver’s door, and motioned for Kim to step out. 

“Relax, just one night. It won’t delay the funeral you need to attend.” 

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Samantha added, “Fatigued driving is deadly. We’re accompanying you to Philadelphia for the funeral-no risks al- lowed.” 

Kim had no choice but to follow them into the guesthouse. 

Freezing temperatures and scarce rooms left them with only one twin room. 

Kim considered sleeping in the car but thought, “If Peter isn’t awkward, why should I be?” 

Inside the room, Samantha headed straight for the shower. 

Kim and Peter each sat on a bed with their phones, a clear boundary between them. 

Water splashed loudly in the bathroom when Peter suddenly looked at her. 

“It’s been three years. Still not unblocking me?”