The sun had long begun its slow descent behind the Drakensberg Mountains, casting an orange glow over the snow-draped peaks. Ntsiki Dlamini gripped the steering wheel tighter as she navigated the winding N3 highway. Her eyes darted nervously to the radio, where a crackling voice was giving an urgent weather update.“Travellers on the N3 be advised. A major snowstorm is expected to hit within the next two hours. Extreme caution is advised. Stay off the road if possible,” Said the reporter. Ntsiki exhaled sharply, her breath fogging the wind shield as the temperature continued to plummet. “Why did I even come this way?” She thought, shaking her head. She had a perfectly reasonable alternative and she could have stayed the night in Durban after the conference, but her stubbornness pushed her forward. She did not want to waste another moment away from home. Being on the road felt like a necessary escape. An escape from memories, regrets, and from the betrayal that still haunted her like a

The petrol station's fluorescent lights buzzed quietly overhead as Ntsiki and Thabiso stood near the coffee machine, pretending to warm their hands while keeping a careful eye on Sello. The small station felt like a trap the oppressive weight of the storm outside pressing against the glass windows, the walls seeming to close in around them.Sello browsed the shelves with a casual air, but Ntsiki was not fooled. There was something about his movements that felt rehearsed, as if he was playing a role, masking whatever lay beneath. She exchanged a glance with Thabiso, whose jaw was clenched in barely suppressed tension. “He’s not just some stranded driver,” Thabiso whispered, his voice low and urgent. “I don’t know what it is, but something’s off about him.”Ntsiki nodded, her eyes following Sello as he moved toward the front counter. “We need to be smart about this. Do not provoke him. We’re stuck here until the storm passes, but we can’t let our guard down.” Thabiso’s eyes darkened wi

The wind howled like a beast outside, clawing at the walls of the petrol station as though it wanted to tear the place apart. Inside, the tension was thick enough to taste. Ntsiki stood by the door, staring at the spot where Sello had disappeared into the snowstorm. He’d been gone for over fifteen minutes, and her nerves were fraying.Thabiso was pacing again, his steps heavy with barely-contained anger. “He’s playing us, Ntsiki. What kind of man walks out into a storm like that and just vanishes? I’m telling you, something is seriously wrong with him.” Ntsiki’s heart was pounding. She didn’t want to admit it, but Thabiso was right. Sello’s behaviour didn’t make any sense. And the longer he stayed outside, the more it felt like they were walking into a trap. “I know,” she murmured, her breath visible in the cold air of the powerless petrol station. “But we can’t just leave him out there. If he freezes, we’ll be the ones responsible.”Thabiso shot her a look, his frustration boiling ov

The storm raged outside, but inside the petrol station, time seemed to stand still. The air was thick with the scent of blood, sweat, and fear. Ntsiki knelt beside Thabiso, her hands pressed tightly against his wound, her mind racing. She could feel his life slipping away beneath her fingertips, and the reality of the situation was crashing down around her.Thabiso’s breaths were shallow, his eyes fluttering as he struggled to stay conscious. "Ntsiki…" he murmured, his voice weak, barely a whisper. "I don’t want to die… not like this.""You’re not going to die," Ntsiki insisted, though her voice trembled. She didn’t know if she was trying to convince him or herself. "We’ll find a way. Just hang on, okay?" Sello stood a few feet away, watching them with a grim expression. His face was streaked with blood, his eyes dark and unreadable. "We don’t have time for this. We need to move before they send more people after us."Ntsiki’s head snapped up, fury flashing in her eyes. "He’s dying,

The cabin was a battlefield, echoes of chaos resonating through the walls as Sello fought against the invaders. Ntsiki struggled to keep Thabiso on his feet, feeling the weight of his body pressing against her. With each step they took, the world felt heavy, but she couldn’t give up. Not now.“Keep moving!” Sello shouted, his voice filled with urgency. He blocked another attacker’s blow, using the fireplace poker like a sword. The man staggered back, and Sello seized the moment to push forward. “Get to the back door! I’ll hold them off!”“Are you crazy?!” Ntsiki yelled, her heart racing. She couldn’t leave him behind, but she also couldn’t let Thabiso suffer any longer. “Just go!” Sello snapped, glancing back for just a moment. “I’ll be right behind you!” Ntsiki hesitated, torn between the man she loved and her best friend. But there was no time. With a deep breath, she steered Thabiso toward the back of the cabin. “Come on, Thabiso,” she urged, adrenaline pumping through her veins.