John was hysterical, but I tuned it out.
The snow had piled up, and the temperature was below zero. Without shelter, they'd freeze soon.
I put Lily on the bed. Ethan, startled, nearly dropped the chicken leg he was eating. Before he could yell, I covered his mouth with my hand.

"If you dare to scream, and I'll throw you out too!"
Ethan's eyes widened. He bit my hand.
"Bad Mommy! You're a liar!"
I glared, snatching the chicken leg. "Fine, I'm a bad mommy. If you want to go out there, I'll toss you through the window!"
My stern expression scared him into silence, though he looked defiant.
I tucked Lily in and rummaged for hot water and fever medicine.

Thankfully, I'd packed basic meds, or we'd have been in trouble.
I tucked the blanket around my daughter, then went to gather supplies. I'd packed basic medications and had a stockpile of bottled water—enough for the three of us to last ten days if rations were tight. Snacks dwindled but still included potato chips, bread, and chocolate; three instant noodles and five snack noodles; a few sodas. Half a tank of gas remained for bursts of heat from the engine. And thank goodness the RV's bathroom worked just fine.
If we could ride out this storm—if we could survive ten days—we'd be alright.
The noise outside finally stopped. Peering through the window, I saw John and Sarah asking others for help.

But no one let them in. They went from car to car, rejected every time.
I sat in the driver's seat, watching coldly, remembering how I'd knocked on doors in my last life.
Back then, the snow had just started, and everyone thought it'd stop soon, that the roads would clear.
But three days later, the snow hadn't stopped, cars were nearly buried, and food was running low.
Sarah, rubbing her belly, whined about hunger.
John ordered me to beg for food, grabbing the kids and threatening, "If you don't go beg, I'll throw them both out!"
"We'll all starve together!"
With no choice, I trudged through the snow, knocking on doors.
Some scolded me; most ignored me.
I understood them. I wouldn't have opened my door either.
Sure enough, John and Sarah came back.
Shivering in the snow, John rubbed his hands, his tone softening for the first time.
"Honey, I was wrong. I shouldn't have yelled. Don't be stubborn. Let us in."
"This snow's getting worse.We'll freeze. I can handle it, but Sarah's pregnant.You can't be that heartless,can you?"
I shut my eyes, remembering being pushed off the cliff to my death.
Sarah, her face red from the cold, pleaded, "Emily,even if you hate me, my baby's innocent! You can't punish him!"
"Then what did my daughter do to deserve being locked out?"
If I hadn't grabbed the keys, it'd be Lily and me out there now!
John pounded the door, furious. "I was just trying to scare you! Are you really holding a grudge over that?"