The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 152

Boom—!

The avalanche swept right over their heads.

It wasn't a quiet, peaceful white. It was a roaring, frenzied, world-destroying blanket of snow. Millions of tons of ice poured down just feet above them, moving so fast there wasn't even time to process the fear. The flying ice shards whipped against their faces like blades, and the howling wind drowned out everything but a deafening hum.

Josh protected Sloane fiercely beneath him, turning his back to the raging white wave.

His body pinned hers down, his arms clamped tightly around her head, curling her completely into his embrace.

"Close your eyes!" His voice was barely audible over the roar. "Sloane, close your eyes!"

Sloane squeezed her eyes shut.

She could feel his heartbeat hammering against her through the thick layers of their parkas, fast and heavy. She could feel his hot, rapid breath ghosting over her ear. She could feel his arms wrapped so tightly around her it was as if he was trying to press her directly into his bones.

...

She had no idea how much time passed.

Maybe it was a minute; maybe it was an eternity.

The roar gradually faded, growing fainter and fainter until it disappeared entirely into the distant valley.

Silence.

It felt as though the world had been put on mute. The only sounds left were their racing heartbeats and the soft rustle of settling snow.

Josh slowly lifted his head.

His head, shoulders, and back were covered in snow. Ice crystals clung to his eyelashes, and his face was flushed from the biting cold, but his eyes shone with startling intensity in the darkness.

"Sloane?" His voice was raspy. "Are you okay?"

Sloane looked at him, taking in the thin layer of frost on his face and the poorly concealed worry in his eyes. For a fleeting second, she wanted to reach out and touch his cheek, but she remained still.

"I'm fine," she breathed.

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