Chapter 3

Chloe stood a few paces ahead, leaning on my prosthetic leg. She looked back at me with a smirk.

"See? That's what I'm talking about."

"You can't go soft on her."

"I told you she was faking it. Look at her hopping up the mountain on one foot—she's perfectly capable."

"Next, we need to up the intensity."

None of the three argued.

"You're right. We spoiled her too much."

They turned around and entered the summit restaurant.

By the time I hopped up the last flight of stairs and leaned against the doorway, they were already eating.

All four seats at the table were taken.

Ethan was ladling soup into Chloe's bowl, Liam was putting food on her plate, and Noah had the dessert menu open, asking what she wanted.

I dragged myself over and pulled a chair from the next table.

Chloe frowned slightly. "Andie, you're covered in mud. Don't ruin the chair. Just stand for a bit. You're used to standing on one leg anyway."

Liam pulled the chair away. "Yeah, stand for now. We'll sort it out after dinner."

I didn't have the strength to fight for a chair.

I stood by the table, watching the four of them eat.

Chloe took a sip of soup and complained it was too hot.

Ethan immediately took the bowl, blew on it, and handed it back to her.

Liam pushed his cup of hot ginger tea toward her.

Noah smiled and told her to take her time.

My throat was parched. My lips were cracked and bleeding. I hadn't had a single drop of water since morning.

No one asked if I was hungry or thirsty.

"I'm hungry," I said raspy.

Chloe set her spoon down. "Andie, you've only fasted for one day. Fasting therapy requires three full days. Hang in there."

Ethan nodded.

"Chloe's right."

Liam set down his fork. "Bear with it, Andie. It's for your own good."

Noah closed the menu. "Listen to Chloe. She understands how to help you best."

The three of them looked at Chloe with admiration and total trust, firmly on her side without a shred of hesitation.

I stood there, watching the four of them together like a picture-perfect portrait.

And I was the outsider.

I turned around and hopped out into the cold night air.

Ethan called after me, "Andie, where are you going? It's freezing out there."

"Getting some air."

Fate wasn't kind.

Soon, a torrential downpour unleashed over the mountain.

With nowhere else to go, I had to return.

The power was out in the restaurant, and candles flickered on the tables.

Seeing me return, Ethan's eyes lit up and he stood up.

"Andie, perfect timing!"

"Someone just recognized you. They remembered you used to be on the national gymnastics team."

Noah added, "Andie, do a performance for everyone."

Liam smiled too. "Yeah, the power's out and people are bored."

Chloe sat in the center, smiling sweetly at me:

"Right, Andie! Didn't you win gold medals before? Show everyone what a real champion can do."

Other stranded tourists looked over. Some recognized my face, whispering and clapping.

"Show us! Come on, give us a show!"

They wanted me to perform.

In a dark, blackout restaurant, in front of a room full of strangers, on my one remaining leg, they wanted me to do gymnastics.

"I only have one leg."

Ethan paused, then waved his hand with a chuckle. "Come on, just a few moves to entertain people."

Liam agreed. "Yeah, nothing intense. Just for fun."

Noah coaxed, "Don't be a party pooper, Andie."

Chloe chimed in:

"This is to motivate you. You were so incredible back then. Even a simple routine will blow them away."

The restaurant fell quiet, every eye fixed on me.

I nodded slowly. "Fine."

"I'll perform."