When the Signal Dies, Love Is Logistics—and Every Choice Has a Cost

can I charge my phone? I need to call… someone.”

I looked at him in the rearview mirror. “Kid, look at your phone. No bars. Nobody is coming. Not for a while.”

“But I’m freezing,” he whispered, fear finally cracking his voice.

I handed him the second wool blanket. “Wrap up. Tight. Trap your body heat.”

He fumbled with it, his fingers stiff. “Why do you continue reading …