Love chasers

Snow falling

*Lena*

I carve through the snow, adrenaline coursing through my veins, as I call out to people to get away, to run to the sides, out of the path. But as I glance back at the oncoming avalanche, my heart drops. It’s gaining on me, and I can feel the icy fingers of panic wrapping around my throat. I won’t make it myself; there’s no way to escape this.

Just as despair begins to take hold, a flash of color darts through the chaos. Zac. He’s there, a whirlwind of motion as he cuts through the snow, his board slicing with precision. My heart races, not just from fear but from the sheer force of his determination. He’s moving toward me, and I can see the urgency etched on his face.

“Lena!” His voice breaks through the tumult, strong and commanding. Before I can even process what’s happening, he’s there, grabbing my arms with a grip like iron. In one fluid motion, he yanks me to him and swings his board, moving the both of us to the side, away from the path of the avalanche.

The world tilts slightly as we come to a stop, and I feel the rush of air as the avalanche crashes past us, a deafening roar that drowns out everything else. A wave of powder explodes around us, enveloping us in a blinding white. But we’re not buried; we’re just on the edge, caught in the chaos but safe. I gasp, the cold air biting against my skin, and I look up at Zac, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Are you okay?” His voice is filled with concern, his brow creased as he inspects me.

“I… I think so,” I stammer, my body shaking, not just from the cold but from the adrenaline still pulsing through me. “I wanted to help… to warn people… I could not get away…”

“Don’t think about it. Just breathe,” he replies, his eyes scanning the slope, assessing the situation with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.

But before I can respond, James appears, his face twisted in a mix of disbelief and accusation, weirdly aimed at Zac. “What were you thinking? Snowboarding in a restricted area? You most likely triggered that avalanche!”

Zac’s jaw tightens, his gaze sharp as he meets James’s challenge. “I was up there to check the conditions because I thought this might happen. Clearly, I was right.”

James opens his mouth to retort, but the shout of someone nearby cuts through the tension. “Help! Someone is buried! We need help!”

The urgency in the voice sends a shock through me, and without hesitation, Zac hops back on his board. “Stay here! I’ll go help!”

“Zac, wait!” I call after him, but he’s already speeding down the slope, a blur of movement and purpose. My heart races again, knowing he’s going to help those in need, but I can’t just stand by. I push off, following him, my instincts kicking in.

Quickly I maneuver through the chaos, skiers and snowboarders have scattered trying to find safety, the panic is still palpable in the air. I spot Zac ahead, already working with a few others to dig people out of the snow. My breath catches as I see a group of frantic skiers, their faces pale with fear.

“Over here! There’s someone!” Zac shouts, his voice cutting through the panic as he directs us. I join him, digging frantically, my heart pounding as I scoop away the snow, desperate to uncover whoever is trapped beneath.

“Come on, come on!” I urge, shoveling snow aside with all my might. The icy powder sticks to my gloves, but I push through, focused on the cries for help that echo around us.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice rises above the rest, a heart-wrenching wail that sends a chill through my bones. “My children! They’re buried! Please, help them!”

My stomach drops, dread pooling within me. “Zac!” I shout, adrenaline surging as I glance at him, my heart racing. “We have to find them!”

He nods, his expression grim yet determined. “Let’s go!” Together, we sprint toward the sound of despair, digging with renewed urgency. The snow is heavy, and I can feel my muscles burning, but I can’t stop. I won’t stop.

“Get back! Everyone, get back!” Zac commands, pushing aside a group of onlookers who are lingering too close. “We need space! So help or move the f**k away.”

As we dig, my thoughts race, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The fear of what we might uncover fuels my determination. I can’t let those kids be trapped. “Keep digging!” I shout, pushing the snow aside with frantic energy.

Zac works beside me, his movements swift and assured, and in that moment, I see the determination in his eyes mirrored in my own.

“Almost there!” Zac calls, his voice hoarse but steady. “I can feel something!”

With one last heave, we uncover what looks like a small backpack, and my heart sinks. “Zac, it’s not enough!” I cry, panic rising in my chest.

But he keeps digging, and finally, a small hand emerges from the snow. “I’ve got one!” he shouts, pulling a child free, a little boy whose face is pale but alive. The crowd erupts into cheers, as the mother hugs her little boy, but I can’t celebrate yet.

“Where’s the other one?” I ask, my heart racing as I look around, desperate for the second child.

“Keep looking!” Zac urges, his focus unwavering as he digs once more.

The seconds stretch into eternity as we continue to search, the snow heavy and unyielding. I feel tired, my muscles screaming for a rest. But I can’t give up. I won’t.

“Help us!” I shout to the others, and soon, more hands join us, digging and pulling, and I can feel the energy shift, a collective determination fueling us all.