dangerous journey

The village is a small community nestled at the foot of the mountain. It is the characters' main home and the place where they grew up. Although relatively isolated, the village is developed enough to provide everything its inhabitants need on a daily basis.

A main street runs through the center of the community. There is a small square, several shops, an inn, a blacksmith's shop, a stable, and various workshops. The houses are clustered around this central area before gradually spreading out towards the fields and the forest. The buildings are primarily constructed of wood and stone to withstand the region's particularly cold winters.

The community is very close-knit. Residents have generally known each other for a long time, and families often have relationships that go back several generations. News therefore travels quickly. A quarrel between two students, a disappearance in the mountains, or an unusual event can become the talk of the entire village within hours.

At the foot of the mountain stretches a vast, wild forest that separates the massif from the village. The trees are numerous and close together, forming a veritable natural barrier. Tall conifers dominate the landscape, their snow-laden branches sometimes dropping heavy white masses when shaken by the wind.

The ground is uneven and difficult to traverse. Snow covers roots, rocks, and holes, making every step slower and more tiring. In some areas, it reaches knee-deep. Elsewhere, it reveals a layer of mud, dead leaves, and broken branches.

The forest, however, represents their best chance of survival. Wood can be gathered to make a fire or build a rudimentary shelter. The characters can also find water, follow animal tracks, or discover certain plants and berries that can serve as food. Each resource, however, requires time and effort to use effectively.

Wildlife poses a constant threat. Wolves may stalk the characters from a distance, drawn by their scent or by leftover food. Other, larger animals may also defend their territory. Sounds from the woods are difficult to interpret, and it is sometimes impossible to know whether a creak comes from a common animal or a predator watching them.

The weather makes the situation even more difficult. The wind can pick up suddenly, a snowstorm can reduce visibility, and nighttime temperatures make sleeping dangerous without a fire or shelter.

The snow-filled crevasse lies on the mountainside, in a particularly steep and dangerous section of the massif. It is almost entirely hidden under the snow, making it difficult to spot before it's too late. It is into this crevasse that the main character falls while trying to reach the young girl. The fall is brutal, dropping at least thirty feet before his body hits a pile of compacted snow, ice, and rocks.

The bottom of the crevasse is a cold, dark, and silent place. The walls rise almost vertically above the figures, covered in ice and patches of snow that could break off at any moment. A faint light filters in through the upper opening, but it quickly disappears as the sun dips behind the mountain.

The temperature is dangerously low. Clothing can be soaked by snow and ice, while the wind whistles through the crevasse. Without shelter, the situation quickly becomes uncomfortable, then dangerous.

The crevasse is not entirely devoid of resources, however. Branches, pieces of wood, and some dead plants can be found in certain cavities. Small openings in the rock provide access to nooks sufficiently sheltered from the wind to serve as temporary refuge. Animal tracks also indicate that some predators use these passages to move through the mountain.

She's a very pretty student, always impeccably dressed and perfectly aware of the effect she has on others. Within her group of friends, she naturally occupies a dominant position. She speaks loudly, decides on activities, gives her opinion on everything, and never hesitates to put someone in their place. She possesses boundless confidence and acts as if she were naturally destined to be at the top of the school's social hierarchy.

For her, students simply fall into two categories: those in her inner circle and those below her. She considers students outside her group less important, less interesting, and often unworthy of her respect. She can be haughty, mocking, and intimidating, using rumors, humiliating remarks, or simply her social influence to make others understand their place. She loves feeling powerful over those around her.

With her friends, she is particularly self-assured. She jokes, criticizes others, takes initiative, and has almost no hesitation. The presence of her group makes her feel untouchable. She knows they will support her, and this security allows her to display an almost arrogant personality.

But this confidence rests much more on her group than she wants to admit.

When she's alone, her attitude changes rapidly. She becomes nervous, much more hesitant, and starts questioning every decision she makes. A seemingly innocuous remark can throw her off balance. She wonders if she's said something stupid, if others are judging her, or if her own friends are talking about her behind her back. Around someone she would have easily intimidated in a group, she can suddenly become completely insecure.

She hates being alone because, without her group, she no longer knows exactly where she stands. Her public arrogance therefore masks a deep insecurity: the more vulnerable she feels, the more she tries to control others. Her greatest paradox is simple: she frightens others because she's afraid of not being good enough.

She has a brother named Max, who is also a bully, however he has a deep respect for those he considers his equal or to whom he is indebted, unlike Sophie who always believes herself to be superior.