Tegan, terrified by a large bearded man approaching her crashed car, hesitates until he reveals a shovel and quickly clears the snow trapping her door. He asks her name, introduces himself as Hank, and gently adjusts her seat to free her pinned legs. Seeing her pregnancy and severe ankle pain, he says he will carry her to his truck.

Despite fear, Tegan agrees because she cannot walk. Hank lifts her carefully, minimizing pain, and carries her through deep snow to his pickup. At Tegan’s request, he returns to retrieve her purse and duffel. Inside the warm truck, Tegan regains some feeling in her extremities while her ankle continues to throb.

As Hank drives, Tegan asks which hospital they are heading to. He doesn’t answer at first; then he states he’s taking her to his house, “just up the road.” The truck moves off the main road into thicker woods as the storm worsens.

Realizing they are going deeper into isolation, Tegan’s panic escalates. With no cell service, a likely broken ankle, and heavy snow, she feels trapped and fears Hank intends to harm or kill her. The chapter ends with Tegan convinced she has entered a far more dangerous situation.