Vanessa

VANESSA

T he static-filled cry for help crackled through our comms, Jake's usually jovial tone replaced by panic. My heart hammered against my ribs as I processed his words. Silla was hurt. They were trapped.

I locked eyes with Zarnak, his expression mirroring the storm of emotions churning inside me. For a split second, I weighed the consequences of abandoning the race. The chance at the grand prize, the acclaim, the opportunity to explore the galaxy – all of it hung in the balance.

But only for a second.

"We have to help them," I said flatly.

Zarnak nodded without hesitation. "Agreed. Their safety takes precedence."

Relief and pride washed over me. I shouldn't have doubted him.

We sprang into action, quickly repacking our gear. My mind raced with possible scenarios, each more dire than the last.

"We'll need to move fast," Zarnak said, efficiently outlining a rescue plan. "The ice formations are unstable. We'll use the ridge to our advantage, but we must be cautious."

Affection warmed me despite the biting cold. His calm efficiency was a balm to my frayed nerves.

Taffy chirped anxiously from my pack, a high-pitched trill that reminded me of the stakes. This wasn't just about winning anymore. Lives were on the line.

We set off across the treacherous landscape, fear and determination warring within me. The wind howled around us, whipping snow and ice crystals into a stinging frenzy.

Zarnak moved with sure-footed grace, and I drew strength from his steady presence. We'd changed, from strangers to... what? Partners? Friends? Something more?

I pushed those thoughts aside as we approached a narrow ice bridge spanning a yawning chasm. My stomach clenched as I peered over the edge, unable to see the bottom through the swirling mist.

"We can do this," Zarnak said, his hand warm on my back. That simple touch was enough to steady my nerves.

I nodded, drawing on the skills I'd learned throughout this crazy adventure. Who would have thought that two weeks ago, I was just sitting on my couch.

Now here I was, traversing alien landscapes, rescuing new friends, and falling for–

No. Focus, .

We inched our way across the bridge, the ice creaking ominously beneath our feet. I held my breath, willing each step to be solid, secure.

When we reached the other side, I managed a shaky laugh. "Well, that was fun. What's next, a lava pit?"

Zarnak's lips twitched in what I now recognized as his version of a smile. "Let's hope not. Though I'm certain you'd find a way across that as well."

Before I could reply, our comms crackled to life. Silla's voice came through, faint but unmistakable. "...anyone there? Please... help..."

My chest tightened. "We're coming!" I shouted into the comm, not caring if she could hear me or not. I pushed harder.

We had to make it. There wasn't any other choice.

We crested a ridge and finally spotted them in the distance. Jake and Silla were huddled on a crumbling ice shelf, clinging to each other as the ground beneath them slowly disintegrated.

Adrenaline surged through me as I realized just how precarious their situation was. I squeezed Zarnak's hand, a silent exchange of support and determination passing between us.

"Ready?" he asked.

I swallowed hard. "Let's go save our friends."

I took the lead, my smaller frame allowing me to navigate the treacherous ice formations more easily. The wind whipped around me, biting at any exposed skin. I inched closer to Jake and Silla, their forms becoming clearer with each step.

"Hold on!" I called out, my voice barely audible over the howling gale.

The ice beneath my feet groaned ominously. I froze, terror gripping me as I felt the surface shift. I was certain I'd plunge into the abyss below. But I steadied myself, taking a deep breath before continuing forward.

Jake's voice cut through the wind. "! Be careful!"

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, . 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."

I laugh, the tension of the moment breaking. "I'd totally win that, just so you know."

"In your dreams, Earth girl," Jake retorted, his usual humor returning.

With one last hug, we said our goodbyes. As Zarnak and I turned to leave, I glanced back one more time. Jake and Silla stood side by side, waving us on. They looked small against the vast expanse of ice and snow, but I knew they'd be alright.

"Ready?" Zarnak asked.

"Let's do this."

We set off across the ice field, our pace quickening with each step. The finish line waited just within reach, a beacon of hope and accomplishment. As we ran, the wind howled around us, carrying snippets of conversation from unseen competitors.

"...can't believe we're almost there..."

"...watch out for that crevasse..."

"...think we still have a chance?"

Their words fueled my determination. We weren't the only ones racing against time and nature. Every team out here had fought tooth and nail to make it this far.

The ice creaked and groaned, a constant reminder of the danger that surrounded us. I focused on my breathing, on the rhythm of our footsteps. Zarnak moved with a grace that belied his size, and I marveled at how in sync we'd become.

As we navigated around a particularly treacherous patch of ice, Zarnak suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me close. "Watch out," he warned, nodding towards a barely visible fissure in the ice.

I swallowed hard. "Thanks," I breathed, and despite the biting cold, heat bloomed in my cheeks.

Zarnak's gaze locked with mine, and the race faded away. There was only us, standing on the edge of an icy precipice, hearts pounding in unison.

", I-"

A loud crack interrupted whatever he was about to say. The ice beneath us shifted, and we stumbled apart.

"Run!" I shouted, grabbing his hand and pulling him forward.

We sprinted across the unstable terrain, leaping over small cracks and skirting around larger ones. The finish line loomed in the distance, a shimmering mirage that taunted us with its proximity.

My lungs burned with each breath, the cold air searing my throat. But I pushed on, driven by a determination I didn't know I possessed. Zarnak kept pace beside me, his presence a constant source of strength and comfort.

Just when I thought my legs would give out, we crossed the threshold. A burst of warmth enveloped us as we passed through the energy barrier marking the end of the race.

We stumbled to a stop, gasping for air. I turned to Zarnak, a disbelieving laugh bubbling up from my chest. "We did it," I wheezed. "We actually did it!"

Zarnak's face broke into a rare, full smile. Without warning, he swept me up into his arms, spinning me around in a moment of pure joy. As he set me down, our faces were inches apart. The world seemed to slow, the cheers and commotion of the finish line fading into the background.

The world around us erupted into a cacophony of cheers and applause. My heart raced, not just from the exertion of our final sprint, but from the electricity crackling between Zarnak and me. His arms were still around me, strong and secure, our faces mere inches apart. The warmth of his breath ghosted across my skin, a stark contrast to the icy air we'd just left behind.

I forgot about the race, the cameras, the entire galaxy watching. There was only Zarnak, his intense gaze locked on mine, making my knees weak and my pulse quicken.

"Congratulations, you two!" Lysandra's voice cut through our bubble, bringing reality crashing back.

I reluctantly tore my gaze away from Zarnak to face our host. Lysandra approached us, her iridescent skin glowing with excitement, a dazzling smile on her face.

"That was quite a finish," she said, her eyes darting between us. "I must say, you've given us quite a show."

I felt my cheeks flush, suddenly aware of how close Zarnak and I still were. But I couldn't bring myself to step away from him.

"Thanks," I managed to say, my voice a bit breathless. "It was... intense."

Zarnak's arm tightened around my waist, and I leaned into him instinctively.

Lysandra's smile widened. "Well, I have some news for you. Rachel and Tarnox actually crossed the finish line first."

For a split second, disappointment flared. We'd come so far, faced so much. But then I saw the emotion in Zarnak's eyes, and realized something profound.

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside me. "You know what? I don't even care anymore."

Zarnak's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You don't?"

I grinned up at him. "Nope. We may not have won the race, but I think I won something much more important."

Understanding dawned on his face, his expression softening in a way that made my heart melt.

"I couldn't agree more," he murmured, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.

The crowd around us faded away. The cameras, the other contestants, even Lysandra – they all ceased to exist. There was only Zarnak and me, standing on the precipice of something extraordinary.

I rose up on my tiptoes, closing the last bit of distance between us. Zarnak met me halfway, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that sent sparks shooting through my entire body.

The cheers of the crowd swelled, but I barely heard them. Zarnak's kiss was gentle yet passionate, conveying everything we'd been unable to say throughout our journey. My arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer as I poured every ounce of emotion I'd been holding back into the kiss.

As the kiss broke, I licked my lips, still seeking a taste of him. "Well, that's one way to end a first date."

Zarnak chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "I'd say it was quite successful, wouldn't you?"

"Definitely," I agreed, unable to stop smiling. "Though I think we might need a few more to make sure."

"I look forward to it," he said, his eyes twinkling with promise.

As we turned back to face the crowd, I caught snippets of conversation from the other contestants and spectators.

"...can't believe they kissed like that on camera..."

"...rooting for them from the start..."

"...wonder if they'll do a spin-off show..."

I laughed, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a regular girl from Earth, standing on an alien planet after completing an interstellar dating show, having just kissed the most incredible man I'd ever met. It was like something out of a dream.

Lysandra approached us again, her expression amused. "Well, I think it's safe to say you two have stolen the show. How about an interview for our viewers back home?"

I tilted my head at Zarnak, raising an eyebrow in question. He nodded, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Sure," I said, turning back to Lysandra. "Why not? It's not like we can embarrass ourselves any more than we already have."

Zarnak chuckled. "Speak for yourself. I think we handled that quite gracefully."

As Lysandra led us towards the interview area, I thought about how much had changed. I'd come on this show looking for adventure, maybe a chance at love. What I'd found was beyond anything I could have imagined.