The mountainous snowdrift suddenly gave way.
In an instant, it completely buried the snow pit they had just dug.
Khilla and Nash exchanged a look, a wave of lingering fear washing over them both.
Hurriedly, they held Liu Lan tighter and moved toward safer ground.
...
After a difficult search, they had finally found Liu Lan. It had been a close call, but she was safe.
Khilla's perpetually taut nerves finally eased slightly.
He let out a silent sigh of relief.
He planned to take Liu Lan and Nash back to the log cabin immediately.
But who could have predicted that at this critical juncture...
Liu Lan, huddled tightly in Khilla's arms, would suddenly whimper in a small, tearful voice.
"Khilla, my hand is so itchy, and so cold."
Those quiet words struck Khilla and Nash like a bolt from the blue.
Their hearts skipped a beat, and as if hit by an Immobilization Spell, they froze on the spot.
The hint of relief on their faces from having found Liu Lan...
