Page 53 of Swipe Right for Stardust

I nodded, focusing on each step. The ice crackled under my weight, sending shivers up my spine. I was so close now, just a few more feet...

Suddenly, the ledge they clung to began to crumble. My stomach dropped as I watched them slip further down.

“No!” I lunged forward, stretching out my hand. “Jake! Grab on!”

Jake reached up, his fingers brushing mine. But it wasn’t enough. The ice gave way beneath him, and he started to fall.

At that moment, time seemed to stop. I saw the fear in Jake’s eyes, heard Silla’s scream. Without thinking, I dove forward, catching Jake’s wrist. The sudden weight nearly pulled me over the edge, but I dug my heels in, gritting my teeth against the strain.

“I’ve got you,” I gasped, my muscles screaming in protest. “Don’t let go!”

Jake dangled precariously, Silla clinging to his other arm. The three of us formed a fragile human chain, suspended over the chasm. My arms burned with the effort of holding them both.

“Zarnak!” I called out, desperation in my voice. “We need help!”

I heard the crunch of ice behind me as Zarnak approached. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, anchoring me.

“I have you,” he said, his breath warm against my ear. “Pull them up.”

With Zarnak’s support, I found new strength. Inch by agonizing inch, we hauled our friends back onto solid ground. As soon as they were safe, I collapsed, my limbs trembling from exertion and adrenaline.

Zarnak knelt beside me, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, unable to speak just yet. He helped me to my feet, and I turned to Jake and Silla. Without hesitation, I pulled them both into a tight embrace.

“You’re safe,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “You’re safe now.”

Silla sobbed against my shoulder, her words of gratitude muffled. Jake simply nodded, his usual jokes forgotten in the aftermath of our near-disaster.

The icy wind whipped around us, a stark reminder of the perilous landscape we’d just conquered. As my breathing steadied, Jake gently pulled away, his usual grin replaced by a look of determination.

“You two need to go on,” he said, his words catching me off guard. “Silla and I have already contacted the show’s organizers. We’re withdrawing.”

“What? No, we can’t leave you here,” I protested, my gaze darting between Jake and Silla. The thought of abandoning them after everything we’d been through made my stomach churn.

Silla shook her head, her iridescent skin shimmering despite the dim light. “We’ll be fine, Vanessa. You and Zarnak need to finish this.”

“But-”

“No buts,” Jake interrupted, his tone firm but kind. “We want you to keep going. Win this thing for all of us.”

I turned to Zarnak, searching his face for guidance. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the conflict within him.

Silla must have sensed my hesitation. She pulled out her comm device, the screen glowing brightly against the stark white landscape. “Look,” she said, holding it up for me to see. “A shuttle is only minutes away. We’ll be safe and warm before you know it.”

I stared at the blinking dot on the screen, representing the incoming shuttle. It was so close, yet the idea of leaving Jake and Silla behind still gnawed at me.

Zarnak’s hand found mine, his touch sending a burst of warmth through my body despite the freezing temperature. “They’re right,” he said softly. “We should continue.”

I looked up at him, torn between my desire to stay with our friends and the pull of the finish line. Could we really turn back now?

Jake’s voice broke through my internal struggle. “Come on, Van. You know you want this. Go out there and show the galaxy what you’re made of.”

His words struck a chord within me. I did want this. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I belonged here, among the stars.

“Okay,” I said finally, squeezing Zarnak’s hand. “We’ll do it. For all of us.”

Silla beamed, her entire body seeming to glow with excitement. “That’s the spirit! Now get going before we change our minds and demand you stay for a snowball fight.”

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