Dumping Him for His Uncle (Natasha and Zachary)

Cold air poured in from all sides, wrapping around Natasha like a freezing blanket.

"Zachary?"

The freezer was packed with food, forcing her to weave between shelves and crates as she searched for him.

Logically, he hadn't been trapped long enough to lose consciousness, so he shouldn't have passed out.

Still calling his name, she pushed aside boxes and supplies, scanning every corner. At last, she found him curled up beneath a pile of scattered items.

"Are you alright?"

She crouched and reached out to help him, but the moment her hand touched his arm, she felt it. He was shaking uncontrollably.

This wasn't just from the cold-this was fear. Deep, visceral fear, something darker than the freezing air.

"I'm here to get you out. Let's go, okay?"

Now wasn't the time to ask questions. She gripped his arm, trying to pull him to his feet, but Zachary stayed huddled in the corner like he hadn't heard her.

"Zachary?" she called again, gently tapping his cheek.

His body temperature had dropped so low that she couldn't even tell how much colder he was than her.

"Come on, stop messing around. Let's just get out of here, alright?" she said. Natasha pleaded with him repeatedly, but still, he didn't respond.

Then, just as she reached for his face once more, a single tear-cold as ice— landed in her palm.

That was the last thing she'd expected, but in the next moment, it clicked.

When someone lost control like this, it was rarely because of present circumstances. It was something from the past breaking through-a trauma replaying itself.

At this point, Natasha didn't hesitate any longer. Even if Zachary couldn't move on his own, she was going to drag him out if she had to.

But she had definitely overestimated her strength and underestimated Zachary's height and weight.

Breathing warm air into her hands, she rubbed them together quickly, trying to warm them up.

It hadn't even been 20 minutes, and already, a thin layer of frost had formed on Zachary's eyebrows.

Watching his body tremble, Natasha instinctively cupped his ears with her hands. His skin was flushed red from the cold.

That was when, for the first time, Zachary stirred. Slowly, he lifted his head. Natasha raised an eyebrow in surprise as their eyes met.

"You're—" she began but didn't get to finish. Zachary reached up and gently placed his hands over her ears, mirroring her gesture.

"It's too cold. We need to get out of here," she said quietly.

Natasha gave a small, crooked smile. She could barely feel her toes anymore, numb from the cold.

Before she could act, Zachary leaned into her, wrapping his arms around her. Holding each other

helped block out some of the ve

freezing air.

He still didn't say much, but at least it was something.

Just as Natasha began inching them both toward the door, it suddenly swung shut behind them with a loud click.

"You've got to be kidding me. Automatic doors?"

She pulled away from Zachary and rushed to the door, pounding on it with both hands. But the metal was freezing, and her skin nearly stuck to the surface.

If she kept that up, she might lose a layer of skin just trying to pull free.noveldrama

"Most walk-in freezers have that

feature. It's to reduce energy loss

and keep the food items from

thawing," Zachary said quietly from behind her.

Natasha stomped on the floor in frustration. She resisted the urge to cuss him out, then walked back over.

But when she saw how pale he looked, the words caught in her throat. She just couldn't bring herself to yell at him.