White Dragon

by Regina A Hanel

  "I think you're crazy, but I also think they'll love them because those kids are so much like you," Halie said.

  "You think so?" Sam said. "I think they are too, and I'm proud of it."

  "You're too much. Come on. See if you can get Jake inside and then let's get going. I guess you plan to finish shoveling too, so if we don't get moving, neither one of us will get to where we need to be on time."

  "I APPRECIATE THE offer Sam, but I'll pick you up," Corrine said on the other end of the line. "You're the one who's doing me the favor. I've got one house to show this morning and then I'm free. Since I don't know exactly how long it'll take, this way will be better. As soon as I'm done I'll swing by. See you in a little."

  By ten thirty Sam and Corrine were on their way, traveling along Highway 22 headed toward Wilson. As they neared the Teton Pass, they saw brake lights and traffic backed up. "Shoot," Corrine said. "I wonder what's going on up there."

  "Probably an accident. My guess is someone went faster than they should have around one of those turns. Whatever the holdup is, I hope it doesn't take too long to clear, and I hope no one's hurt," Sam added. Like everyone else, she hated sitting in traffic.

  "I can't wait until Christmas to surprise April with the new saddle for Lady Jane. She deserves it. Every year she talks about getting a new one, and every year she doesn't. I'm glad you agreed to come with me, since I have no idea what I'd be looking at."

  "I don't mind. I love shopping for stuff like that. It's shopping for clothes that I despise. Speaking of which, if we have some time I could use a little help with Halie's presents in that category. Hardware stores, furniture stores, sporting goods, tackle shops--no problem, but clothing stores? Not a fan."

  Corrine chuckled. "You're just like April. You two are unbelievable. I think she'd rather shovel horse manure than go clothes shopping."

  "And I'd join her. I shop online for most everything I need. But you see the way Halie dresses. I mean, I love her style, but I don't have the first clue about fashion."

  "I'm sure we'll have time. Plus, we should get fabulous deals today. It's the fringe benefit of sucking it up and shopping with the masses on black Friday."

  Another fifteen minutes passed with no movement in either direction. Suddenly, and with uncertainty in her voice, Sam said, "Did you feel that?"

  "Feel what?"

  "I felt a vibration. I think it was a tremor. That's it again, it's getting--"

  Corrine's voice cracked, "I feel it now too."

  Seconds later, Sam heard it, first in the distance, and then growing louder, a sound similar to that of an approaching freight train. Corrine and Sam exchanged glances. Sam shifted her attention up the mountain pass. A cloud of white bore down on them. Corrine reached to open the driver's side door.

  Sam grabbed her arm. "Don't! Stay in the car! You'll get yourself killed if you--"

  "I'M NOT DOING it. It's as simple as that. The trail is clearly marked "˜Dangerous-Off Limits,' so why would you want to go down it?" Halie was adamant and furious at the same time that Colin would suggest a reckless idea such as taking a restricted trail. She'd put up with his controlling manner all morning, but he was pushing it too far. The money wasn't worth it.

  "Because I can," Colin said without hesitation.

  "Because you can doesn't mean you should."

  "There's no fun in doing anything if you don't take risks. It's the thrill of danger that makes the ride exciting and worth doing. Besides, we'll get more awesome pictures. This powder's untouched."

  "I don't get you. If you wanted untouched powder, why didn't we go backcountry skiing like you'd originally planned?" Halie didn't hide her growing annoyance. She stood on top of the hill and argued while an icy wind pounded against her and chilled her bones, regardless of the many layers of clothing she wore underneath her ski suit.

  "No one sees me backcountry, whereas here, plenty of people can see me. Let's cut through the needless tension. Why don't we take a break and have a nice hot cup of coffee or cocoa and then start fresh?" Colin suggested. His eyes held a mischievous glimmer.

  Halie would have welcomed a cup of coffee at that moment, but she understood what Colin was trying to do, and she wanted no part of it. "If starting fresh means taking that trail, then I'm out."

  Colin clenched his teeth. "Whatever. You're fired."

  Before Halie could respond, Colin popped off his skis and walked toward the restaurant at the top of the hill. "Asshole," Halie grumbled under her breath. Who needs him anyway, she thought. If nothing else, Sam would be glad she'd have more time on her hands now to spend with her. Of course, Sam wouldn't be home if she left now. She'd still be with Corrine. Halie pushed the end of her jacket sleeve back and checked the time on her wristwatch. Another hour and a half and April would be finished with her last lesson. She figured it would take her twenty minutes to get down the hill anyway. She could check in with April, and see if she wanted to have lunch with her and maybe finish off the day on the slopes together. Halie wasn't in the mood to ski alone. If April was busy, she'd pack up and go home. She'd seen April's car in the parking lot on her way in, and parked next to it this morning. The trail she was on would lead her toward the ski school anyway. She glanced behind her once more to see if Colin came to his senses and changed his mind, but he was nowhere in sight. In disbelief at his stubbornness, she pushed off with her skis and began her descent.

  RONNI CALLED SAM and Halie's house several times that morning, but got no answer. She was eager to talk to them, especially since she now believed she knew who their menacing vandal was after he'd brought his car into the shop. White paint residue clung to the damaged bumper, which could have come from Sam and Halie's fence, and the color of the car matched a paint chip she'd saved from off their mailbox pole the day after Halloween. Before leaving work, she left Sam and Halie a voice mail message pleading they call her as soon as they got in. She had one additional item to occupy her thoughts now as she headed for Alpine Crest Ski Resort, though meeting Cali remained in the forefront.

  Ronni was nervous and not sure what she'd say when she'd meet Cali again, but was excited by the prospect at the same time. She wished she'd taken the chance to get to know her better on that rainy night when they'd first met. After getting her rentals straightened away, she carried her skies to an open spot at the base of one of the hills and set them on the snow. Her trepidation of getting back on skis for the first time in over a decade did not deter her from her goal as she scanned the area map. "Wow, there's a ton of trails to cover. This is not going to be easy," she said aloud to no one. She'd asked the woman at the ticket counter and a man in the ski rental if they knew what lift Cali worked at, but neither one could help her. Well, I guess I'll start in the middle and work my way over to the one side and if that doesn't work, pray I have enough energy left to work my way over to the other side, she thought before she stepped into her skis and did exactly that.

  AFTER TWO HOURS of non-stop skiing, and half a dozen ski lifts later, Ronni bent over to stretch her back. Her legs felt like Jell-O. She contemplated taking a break when she spotted Cali helping a skier onto the chair lift at the last trail on the left side of the mountain. Her heart raced and her face flushed as she pushed forward and got on Cali's lift line. Calm yourself Ronni--deep breaths, deep breaths. This is no big deal. You're fine. You look good. Stay calm. The line snaked along, but at the end, she didn't pay attention, and when a young man next to Ronni told her to "move it along" she realized a good six feet were open between her and the front of the line. Embarrassed, she shoved off with her poles and pushed with her skis. As her eyes connected with Cali's, she smiled and lost her footing. She ran straight into Cali and knocked her over.

  Ronni lay still for several seconds before she moved or spoke, her eyes locked on Cali in a heated dance. Her breathing quickened.

  "Hey, get a room already," someone from the line yelled.

  Ronni snapped back to reality. Cheeks flushed, she excused her clumsiness
several times as she helped Cali to her feet. "I'm so sorry. I--my legs are tired--I wasn't paying--"

  "It's okay. I can't believe you're here." Cali's tone was welcoming. She directed Ronni to the side, away from everyone as her counterpart took over. "Is this a coincidence, or were you trying to find me?"

  The rose color in Ronni's cheeks turned even redder. "I haven't skied in years. You wouldn't catch me dead on these hills if it wasn't for a good reason. No, I'm definitely here to see you," Ronni said, relieved once the words were out. She scanned Cali's face nervously to pick up on her expression. The response was that charming, warm, inviting smile Ronni remembered from the night she'd helped Cali with her car.

  "I'm flattered. No one's ever gone to so much trouble to find me. You seem a bit shaky though. Do you want to sit down and have a cup of coffee or coco? I'm on break for a half hour."

  "I'd love to. You read my mind."

  Ronni was fairly certain their half hour passed, but Cali hadn't made an attempt to leave. Ronni was surprised how easy she was to talk to and how smart she appeared to be, and she was now certain the fluttering she felt on their first meeting was no fluke. She was definitely attracted to Cali and her body didn't hide the fact. She felt an energy flow through her she hadn't felt in years, and by the way Cali was paying attention to her, she thought she may be feeling the same thing. Once her nerves settled, Ronni talked with Cali with unusual ease, as if she'd known her for years.

  "My time's up. I better get going. Would you walk with me outside?" Cali asked.

  "I'd love to," Ronni said.

  As they exited the lodge from the second floor and walked out on the deck, Cali stopped and leaned over the railing. She pulled a pen out of her ski jacket pocket and took Ronni's hand. On her palm, she wrote her phone number.

  The soft fingers touching Ronni sent a charge through her body and to her core. Every stroke of the pen against her skin triggered tremors within.

  Cali searched out Ronni's eyes when she finished. "Call me," she said in a seductive tone, her eyes drawing Ronni in.

  Before Ronni was able to answer, she felt the deck vibrate from under her. Others must have felt it too as their attentions shifted and they eyed one another in confusion. Ronni realized that Cali had grabbed her hand. She saw a group of teenagers point up and to their left, then heard Cali whisper, "White Dragon."

  AT THE BASE of the hill, Halie checked her watch. Ten minutes before eleven o'clock. She was familiar with April's schedule since she'd taken skiing lessons with her last winter. April would be getting her group rounded up to head outside now. Five minutes later and she'd have missed her and they'd be on the slopes. April would be too busy to talk to her then. Halie snapped off her skies and leaned them against the rack in front of the ski shop which doubled as a ski school. The building was situated on the far left side of the mountain near the base, about a quarter mile from the condo development at the farthest end. There were a couple of short runs with t-lines and one that went higher up with a chair lift, both to the left of the ski school, not far from the trail Halie had just descended. Behind the two-story building towered the mountain covered in pine trees, for as far as Halie could see. Inside, the building was filled with ski and snowboard equipment and apparel. The school was built with a small room in the rear of the building where everyone met and where those without their own equipment got fitted with rentals.

  Halie bent over and unbuckled her top boot snap. As she stood, she heard the loud thundering of what sounded like a train approach. Then she saw a mass of snow high upon the mountain slide toward her at ferocious speed. She bolted into the ski shop. "Everyone out! Everyone out, now! Avalanche! Get out the building and run to your left! Out of the building to your left!" she yelled. Halie raced to the back room where she knew April would be. She was there with half a dozen or so kids. Halie knew they'd only have seconds. She feared they wouldn't make it out in time.

  April's eyes met the fear in Halie's. She immediately corralled the kids together. "Out, let's go!" April yelled. She led them out the back room and toward the front door. The kids were in varied stages of dress, and running with ski boots on didn't help their situation. Halie followed close behind, with another woman behind her. The thunderous roar became overwhelming as Halie's heart beat so fast she thought it would jump from her chest. They wouldn't make it. She realized that now, but at least they tried. As they neared the circular wooden sales counter in the middle of the store, Halie felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. "April, everyone, duck in behind the counter, now!" she commanded. She pushed them from the rear the same instant she felt hands on her own back push her. The sound of wood splintering and glass shattering surrounded her as she fell forward.

  Chapter Fifteen

  BEFORE EVEN REGISTERING the snow that entered through the broken passenger side window or the pounding in her brain, Sam shoved her hand through the window opening and thrust upward with all her might. She shifted up onto the car seat for more leverage. Within seconds, she felt her fingers free of the snowpack and saw a stream of sunlight filter through. If nothing else, she concluded they'd now have a shaft of air to breath until they could dig themselves out or until someone located and rescued them. She forced herself to slow her breathing and get a grasp on the situation. Her taut muscles relaxed. Her next thought was of Corrine.

  Sam leaned toward her friend. "Corrine, are you okay? Corrine, for God's sake please say something."

  An unrecognizable mumble drifted from Corrine's lips before consciousness came to her and her head sprang forward, eyes wide open. "What happened? What's going on?"

  Sam placed her hand on Corrine's knee. "Take it easy. We got hit by the avalanche. We'll be okay. We're close to the surface. I found an opening and we've got air. Are you hurt?"

  Seconds passed before she responded. "I don't think so. I probably can't say as much for the car though."

  Sam was glad Corrine hadn't lost her sense of humor. They were going to need it. Sam surprised herself at how quickly she reacted after they came to a stop. She'd learned about what to do in avalanche situations, both as a victim and a rescuer, but she never thought she'd have to apply her knowledge as a victim in real life. Sam recalled the moment the car slammed into the guardrail and rolled countless times before it stopped. She understood time was of the essence and that snow could set firm in seconds, but at that instant she had no idea how deep they were buried or how far down the mountain they slid. Once she saw sunlight, she knew they had a chance.

  She was also aware that science was on their side and the plausibility of not being buried deep was a good one. Similar to how larger objects in sand or salt move to the top when shaken up, Corrine's car would act the same way, which is why Sam yelled at Corrine to stay in the car. That and she knew the car frame would provide additional protection. "I'm going to try and dig a bigger hole for us to get out of. If you feel okay, go ahead and check around in the car and see if you can find anything we can use that might help us.

  Corrine undid her seatbelt. She slithered into the back of the vehicle. "There's an ice scraper around here somewhere."

  "Great. That might help, and if it doesn't, I can push it through the hole and wave it back and forth until someone sees it. How do you feel?"

  "I feel like I'll be donning colorful bruises around my shoulder and ribs. How about you?" Corrine said.

  "Overall, I think I'm okay. Maybe a little of the same that you got."

  "Guess I won't be getting April that saddle for Christmas now."

  "We'll get out of this, I promise you, and we'll still go get that saddle. It just won't be today," Sam said.

  RONNI STOOD AS if in shock while people scattered from the deck at the lodge, some screaming, other's yelling for their kids. Ronni heard the words "I gotta go," from Cali, felt her release her hand, and caught sight of her running across the deck, but Ronni didn't react. Her legs wouldn't move for several seconds, and once she did chase after Cali, she was slowed by her bulky s
ki boots and the sea of people pushing to leave the slopes or find loved ones.

  Ronni drove forward against the crowd, attempting to get back to the lift line she'd found Cali on, but snow blocked the way. As she searched for Cali and an alternate route around the snowpack, she heard sirens from the parking lot and helicopters overhead. Ronni traveled south along the side of the snow slide for a distance before giving up and heading back toward the parking lot. From there, she saw Teton County Search and Rescue field personnel being organized and deployed onto the slopes and what appeared to be a staging area set up. Ronni headed toward the staging area. She passed rescue personnel carrying shovels and collapsible probe poles.

  The closer she got, the more devastation she could see. She breathed deep. She saw a debris field of splintered wood and broken off branches from pine trees, rocks and dirt, and a mangled snow cat lying on its side, pushed from where it sat into the parking lot. Part of the parking lot was engulfed with snow as well, several cars half covered. And although the condos farther off to the left of the avalanche's path remained untouched, the ski school was almost completely swallowed up, with only a portion of the second floor visible. The upper floor of the structure was severely damaged and shifted from the floor below.

  "Oh my God," Ronni said aloud. Although she still wanted to find Cali, she knew she was okay, and now felt the need to seek out someone from the rescue team to see if there was anything she could do to help. The staging area appeared chaotic. Twice she said, "Excuse me" to a rescue member, only to be pushed past and unanswered. She clearly understood why. Time was certain to be of the essence here. She didn't know how long buried victims had under the snow, but she imagined not long. As she stood, waiting to get someone's attention, a second team of rescuers arrived with medical and evacuation equipment, as did members from Alpine Crest Ski Patrol, Wyoming K-9 Search and Rescue, and sheriffs and fire departments.