Chapter 194: Trapped Within Snowflakes
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By the time Adrien’s SUV sputtered and came to a quiet halt on the side of the narrow back road, the snow had thickened into a swirling curtain. The pines stood tall on either side, like silent judges overseeing the situation. The only sounds were the soft hiss of steam escaping from the hood and the occasional plop of snowflakes falling from the branches.
We were close enough to town that the GPS had been counting down the miles with a smug air, making the breakdown feel like a cruel twist of fate.
Adrien popped open the hood with a sigh that suggested he’d already resigned himself to the situation, peering inside as if he were trying to negotiate with a stubborn dragon. I hovered nearby, wrapped in my coat and the wool one he’d lent me on top, feeling quite useless...like a chocolate teapot, as the expression goes.
"Hand me that tool." He said.
"the... uh... wrench thingy?" I offered, waving vaguely at the tools he’d unceremoniously pulled from the trunk.
He shot me an amused glance. "You mean the adjustable wrench? You know, the silver one that looks like it could crack open a vault?"
"That’s the one!" I passed it over, feeling a rush of triumph like I had just solved world hunger.
He took it from me without a word, but I noticed the corner of his mouth twitch as he leaned back under the hood. His sleeves were rolled up despite the cold, snowflakes melting instantly on his forearms.
I stood there dutifully, handing him whatever he needed, screwdrivers, pliers, and a tool that looked suspiciously like a medieval torture device...trying not to stare too obviously at how skilled he appeared, brooding over the engine while I was still failing to get my driver license.