With my arms out, my numb ears perked, I stepped toward the incline I'd fallen down since I knew for sure that was there. Once I found it, I skirted to the left, away from the bald man. When my fingers brushed against an ice-covered boulder, I rushed around it and pressed my back tightly against it.

"You hearing me, little girl? Because I want you to know that I'm coming." His loud footsteps carried him closer, and closer still, just on the other side of the ...