Virtue on the Ice

It is said, better to muscle your way up a herd of migrating buffalos than to brave old Cargill road in a winter storm.

Not to say that anyone huddling within the black sedan wheedling it’s way down the windswept road would disagree.

"You call this a shortcut?" Janet grumbled as another splat of sleet flew across the frosted windscreen. Looking down, she flicked her long fingers between the pages of the map. "There must be an exit…somewhere. David, you listening?"

With both his hands tight on the steering wheel, he swung his arms around as the car lurched towards the shadowy valley below. Beside him, a shriek mixed with the sound of bouncing chocolate raisins ensued as the chains grinded against the wet tarmac. Reining the mechanical beast in, he sighs in relieve as the road straightens out once again.

"What were you saying again love?" David asked, his Irish green eyes still fixed on the road. His hands tingled as he stretched them individually.

"Never mind," a quivering voice replied. Putting down the map, she started breathing into her cupped hands. Looking up, she decided instead to admire the glistening white vista around her. Why struggle to find an exit that does not exist?

The radio started with a metallic click, as the Oriental melody of the erhu permeated the car, followed by a simple lyric that went, "Guide the victims so distressed, Help the unfortunate misery caressed, Be gentle to the injured so dazed, And you shall be blessed with the Goddess Tian Fei’s grace."

"Urghh, another Chinese song, can we play this later?" Dave’s voice rose above the diatonic tune.

"Can always switch it off if that’s what you want," she replied.

"Is that someone over there?" Janet turned as David inquisitively tilted his head sideway. Following it, she could make out a small figure curled up by the roadside. She leaned forward, trying to get a better view.

"Oh Heavens," she cried. "It’s a child!! David, we must stop. Pullover, pullover!!"

"You mad Janet?" David glared at her momentarily before focusing on the road. "The wind’s picking up, the sleet’s getting heavier. And heck, this is an avalanche prone area. Above all, look at what we are wearing." He pulled at his white T-shirt than gestured at her flimsy blouse and thin cardigan.

"Like that’s going to help outside," he finished.

"Just stop!!" she snapped as the car rolled past the small figure. Turning backwards, she could make out a small black head looking upwards at the sound before curling back in again. "Merciful Buddhas, you heartless hole, stop the car!! Who cares what we are wearing? Someone’s in trouble!!"

"Darn Chinese weakness!!" David growled as he brought the car to a halt. "Very well, and stop grabbing for the brakes!! And no, I’m not driving back, and if we get rammed by an avalanche or storm, it’s on you."

The door snapped open than slammed shut as Janet slipped out. David watched, words still hanging in his mouth, as she slapped her beanie on her wind tossed Oriental black hair. "Stupid girl," he concluded as he bent forward to eject the tape from the radio, "with lousy taste in music."

Outside, shielding her face with the back of her naked hand, Janet searched the haze of white for the child. This took less time than she anticipated, once she found herself face down on the snow. A weak, mournful groan followed by an effete trashing against her numbing legs told her she has stumbled on the child. Literally. She crawled back up, her body buckling underneath the thin cardigan.