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“Because28 Daysis terrifying.”
I roll my eyes, and bring the shiny, enormous TV screen to life. The usual apps are already installed but not yet set up. I enter my login details and start to search through the available selection. It’s different here, of course; some movies I can watch in England aren’t available and others I’ve never seen on streaming apps are. Different countries have different distribution rights.
“How aboutThe Wretched?”
“Oh, I haven’t watched it yet!”
I grin. “Me neither.”
In truth, it’s not surprising: we both like the genre, sure, but what sort of monster likes to watch scary movies alone? I tend to wait for her for this sort of stuff.
Bella puts a couple of logs in the fire, and grabs a large, brand-new wooly throw, wrapping one end around herself and tossing the other to me, then we start the supernatural horror movie.
It’s watchable, though between the warmth of the fire and my general exhaustion after my trip—not to mention the emotional whiplash I’ve been through simply because of being here, and having taken the Valmonts’ jet, and their car—I find myself blinking, struggling to remain conscious.
Another flash of thunder and lightning jerks me awake more than any jump scare, and I bring my attention back to the window.
“Damn,” I whisper.
It’s no longer raining; the straight downpour gave way to a steady stream of white fluff flying all over the place. Objectively, it’s quite pretty—from inside the warm cabin. I’m glad I don’t need to go out anytime soon.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen this,” I say, feeling a smile curve my lips up.
I didn’t know I missed it.
“It doesn’t snow in London?” Bella asks between two yawns.
I’m not the only one ready to collapse.
“Sometimes—but not like this.”
Anderia’s a country tucked between the mountains of Italy, Austria, and France; the few inches of snow in London I had last year melted after a week. Here, when the world is white, it stays that way for most of winter.
“I’m not fond of thundersnows,” she tells me, wrinkling her nose. “They’re too dangerous. Trees falling, roads being blocked, no shopping until they salt the streets... But hey, at least we get to ski! The off-piste should be sensational.”
I sigh. “I wish you’d stick to the regular runs. You know how dangerous that can be.”
“But there’s nothing like virgin snow.” Bella pouts.
I can only shake my head. We’ve both been skiing regularly for most of our lives, but I haven’t had as much practice in the last few years, while she kept up the habit of going up the mountains most weekends. Besides, she’s always been much more confident than I could ever dream of being, and that translates into her style. She snowboards and never hesitates to jump—unlike me. The fact she still has a head attached to her shoulders proves she knows what she’s doing.
The movie calls back our attention as we approach the ending. We’re at the climax when, without a single warning, the TV, along with every single light in the chalet, dies.
“Ugh!” my sister whines, throwing her head back. “Terrible timing. It’s like when the guy stops just before you’re about to come.”
I snort, my gaze cutting to hers. “You have a lot of experience with that, huh? Maybe I should have a little talk with dear old Nic.”
She doesn’t even blush. “Oh, no, Nic delivers. The same can’t be said for some of his friends, though.”
My jaw falls, as she breaks into a knowing smirk.
“You’re kidding.”
Bella winks, getting up to throw another log in the fire.
Shit. She might not be kidding.
“Do you think there’s a backup generator?” she asks, heading back to the utility cupboard.
