"Oh yeah," Danielle replied sarcastically. "We're a happy bunch!"
"How far did you have to ski?" Doug asked as he helped David struggle out of his boot.
"About ten miles. Freaking roads are a mess. Shit Doug, leave my feet attached to my body!"
"Sorry," he muttered.
Sera watched in amusement as Doug and David tugged and pulled at the boots. Finally, they managed to get them off. David pulled his leg up and began to massage his feet. "Do you have any dry clothes?" Mike asked.
"My bag by the door. I'll get them when I can feel my hands and feet again." David looked them all over again. "Which one of you is Liam's girlfriend?" Sera raised an eyebrow as his eyes settled on her. "You?"
"Yes."
David studied her a minute longer before turning away. Sera scowled at him. She had the distinct feeling that he had wanted to say something, or do something, but hadn't. "Hey!" Kathleen shouted. "I do recall a certain promise that revolved around this man!"
Sera closed her eyes and shoved the blanket off of her. "We'll wait to Liam gets back," Mike said.
"We've been waiting all day! I'm tired of waiting!"
"He'll be back soon," Doug said.
"I don't care!"
Sera stood up, suddenly exceptionally pissed off. She was tired of Kathleen's demands, and tired of all the lies. She was tired of being worried about Liam, tired of staring at the clock and not having him return. She needed him here. She felt as if a part of her was missing without him. She paced over to the window. It had grown dark out, but she could still see snowflakes as they continued to fall.
"How much snow is out there?" she inquired.
"About three feet," David replied absently.
Sera closed her eyes. Where was he?
"Would someone please tell us something," Danielle pleaded.
Sera turned and walked out of the room. "Where are you going?" Mike demanded.
"Bathroom!" she called over her shoulder.
She walked right past the bathroom and into the kitchen. Hastily lacing up her boots, she grabbed her jacket, and slid it on. She suddenly couldn't stand being in the cabin one minute longer. She didn't care what Liam had said, he had left her here and she needed to get out before she went insane. Flinging the backdoor open, she plunged into the thigh high snow. Wind howled around her, and the frigid air seared her lungs as she trudged toward the woods.
"Sera!" Mike yelled as she made it to the edge of the woods. "Sera! Get back here!"
She deftly ignored him as she plunged into the forest. Her breath was coming in ragged pants and her legs were tired from trying to get through the thick snow, but she forced herself to keep going. Suddenly, her leg got caught on a tree branch. With a cry, she fell into the snow. Her fingers were cold and raw as they buried into it and dug deep. She clawed at it as tears of frustration blurred her eyes. With a muffled cry, she collapsed, not caring about the cold as it seeped into her bones. She was just glad to be free.
"Goddamn it!" Mike roared as he shoved his way through the tree branches toward her. "What are you doing?"
"I needed to get out of that cabin. I couldn't take anymore of the anger," she answered. He loomed over her, a sinister scowl on his face as he planted his hands on his hips. She couldn't help but laugh at him.
His scowl deepened as he stared at her in disbelief. "I'm glad you think this is funny. Are you trying to kill me?"
"Of course not."
"Liam will kill me once he finds out that you did this! Sera get up!"
"He's not going to care."
"Not going to care! He's going to rip my head off! I found her!" he called out as footsteps sounded to their left.
"Is he coming back?" she asked.
