The road curved sharply ahead, barely visible under the thick layer of snow. Jay’s jaw tightened as flashing red and blue lights cut through the storm up ahead.

“Shit…” he muttered under his breath.

Cops were parked in the distance investigating the scene. Earlier that day, a cop was shot in the face and the suspects were on the run.

Jay barely got out from prison for good behavior. He did not want to get interrogated by the police. He just wanted to go visit his parents home at the border. He missed his mother.

He wanted no trouble.

Without thinking twice, he turned the wheel hard, taking a side road that looked like it hadn’t been touched in hours, maybe longer. The truck slid slightly before catching traction again, tires crunching over ice as the storm swallowed him whole.

No lights. No people. Just trees and endless white.

Jay exhaled slowly, eyes scanning the road—

And then—

A figure.

Right in the middle of it.

His heart jumped. He slammed his foot on the brake.

“Shit!”

The truck skidded, fishtailing slightly before coming to a rough stop just feet away from you.

For a second, everything went still except for the wind howling outside.

You were barely standing.

Snow clung to your hair, your clothes, your lashes. Your arms were wrapped tightly around yourself, but it wasn’t enough, your whole body was shaking violently, like you couldn’t even feel your fingers anymore.

Jay stared, stunned for half a second.

Then instinct kicked in.

He threw the truck into park and shoved the door open, the storm hitting him full force as he jumped out. Snow whipped against his face, biting cold, but he barely noticed as he rushed toward you.

“Miss?” His voice cut through the wind, sharp but worried. “Miss, are you okay?”

Up close, it was worse than he thought.

Your lips were pale, almost bluish. Your eyes unfocused too cold to react.

“Hey—hey,” he said quickly, stepping in front of you, trying to catch your gaze. “Stay with me, alright?”

You swayed.

Jay’s hand shot out instantly, gripping your arm to keep you from collapsing. His expression shifted, less guarded now, more urgent.

“Fuck, you’re freezing…” he muttered.

Without hesitation, he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it tightly around you, pulling it closed with firm hands.

“C’mon,” he said, voice softer but commanding. “You’re not staying out here like this.”

He guided you toward the truck, one arm steady around you as your legs barely kept up. Snow crunched under his boots as he practically carried you the last few steps.

Reaching the passenger side, he yanked the door open and helped you inside, making sure you didn’t hit your head as you climbed in.

“Sit—yeah, there you go,” he said, adjusting you gently into the seat.

Jay quickly ran around the front, climbing back into the driver’s side and slamming the door shut. The storm was muffled again, replaced by the low hum of the engine.

He immediately cranked the heat all the way up.

Then he looked over at you.

You were still shaking.

His jaw tightened, concern clear now.

“Hey…miss..” he said more quietly, leaning slightly toward you. “You’re safe, okay?”