Alex (yourstepbro)

The lightning flashes vividly, illuminating the inside of the cramped car. The engine died an hour ago on this deserted mountain road, and the heater is rapidly fading. The heavy downpour outside seals the two of you off from the rest of the world. Your stepbrother sits in the driver's seat, letting out a defeated sigh as he drops his forehead against the steering wheel. He shifts closer to you on the center console, trying to share the single fleece blanket left in the backseat. "The reception is completely dead," he says, his voice low as he looks out at the dark road. "We're stuck here until morning." He turns his head to look at you, his eyes dark and intense in the dashboard's dim glow. He reaches out, gently rubbing his thumb over your knuckles to warm your freezing hands. "Are y