I can see his point—it is dangerous out here—but it was just as dangerous in the Panorama building with the way these guys keep turning on each other. Better that we let off steam up here for a couple of minutes before we prepare for the long trek down.

Still muttering, Curtis rides down to the next jump. And casually backflips.

Okay. This is my chance to be the fearless wild child I used to be. And it might be the last chance I ever have to do a backflip, because who knows if I’ll ever return to the snow? Brent adjusts his goggles beside me. I don’t tell him what I’m about to try because he won’t like it.

Dale lets out a shout. “Where’s Heather?”

I shield my eyes from the sun, straining to see. She’s not there. “Maybe she got cold and went in.”

“Heather!” Dale’s shout echoes around the valley. He races down, bypassing the rest of the jumps.

Brent sighs. “Better get down there.”

He and Curtis ride after Dale.

I look down at the jump. Dale’s at the building already, removing his snowboard. I know I should scrap my backflip, but it will only take me a few extra seconds. Soon I’ll be back home doing the same old same old and I have this one tiny opportunity.

I race down, relying on muscle memory to guide my body through the motions. When I reach the end of the takeoff, I tip backward, tucking tight to make sure I get my body around. As I return to earth, I realize I’ve flipped too hard. I’m going to land on the tail of my board. In a desperate attempt to correct, I lean forward. The nose of my board embeds itself into the snow and comes to a sharp stop. My upper body keeps rotating, but my legs don’t budge; they’re locked in place.

Fiery pain rips through the back of my knee. For a moment it’s all I’m aware of. I clutch my knee as though that will somehow limit the agony. When the surroundings swim back into focus, I see Brent and Curtis peering down at me, panting for breath.

“What’s the damage?” Curtis says.

I gasp out the words. “I think it’s my lateral collateral.” It was the same sort of fall the last time I ripped it.

Curtis glances at the building. Dale’s not there. Must have gone in already.

“Go,” I say. “I’ll catch up with you.”

“Want a hand?” Curtis says.

I shake my head and struggle upright. Gingerly I shift weight onto my bad leg. Waves of pain. I bite my lip so I don’t gasp. Both of them reach out to me.

“I’ll manage,” I say. “Just go.”

Curtis explodes. “Why do you never let anyone help you?”