Love chasers

On the slopes

*Lena*

The sun glints off the pristine snow, casting a dazzling sheen across the slopes. I stand at the top, taking a moment to soak it all in, the beauty almost overwhelming. The air is crisp and warm, a strange almost eerie change from the storm that raged just hours ago. Last night feels like a distant memory, a whirlwind of wind and snow, and now, under the bright blue sky, it’s hard to reconcile that chaos with this idyllic scene.

I push off, carving my way down the slope. The snow is deep, almost too deep, and as I glide, I can’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration. Each turn sends a spray of powder flying, and for a moment, I forget everything..: the uncertainty about staying, the lingering tension from last night. All I can focus on is the rhythm of my movements, the wind on my face, and the sharp thrill of adrenaline coursing through me.

But as I ski, my mind drifts back to Zac. He left after breakfast, heading to his cabin, and while part of me is grateful for his company, another part feels a strange sense of betrayal. He could have been honest about his friends, about having a place nearby. Yet, he had also been my savior quite literally, and a comforting presence that kept me warm and safe. It leaves me tangled in confusion, my emotions swirling like the snowflakes from last night’s storm.

“Lena!” A voice breaks through my thoughts, pulling me from the reverie of my ski run. I stop and glance up, my heart sinking as I spot James, my ex, gliding effortlessly toward me. He’s accompanied by Amber, who looks as pretty and clueless as yesterday, trying to keep up with his swagger.

“Where’s your boyfriend? Storm blew him away?” James asks, his tone dripping with condescension, as if he’s found some flaw in my day. I can’t help but roll my eyes; he always had this way of looking down on me, as if I were a puzzle he’d already solved.

“Somewhere nearby,” I reply, keeping my voice steady. I don’t want to blow the pretense that Zac had created, but I can feel James’s skepticism radiating off him.

“Really? I thought that maybe he already moved on,” he smirks, glancing over his shoulder at Amber, who giggles too easily.

“Why does it matter to you?” I shoot back, my irritation rising. “I’m perfectly capable of enjoying the slopes alone and without your approval.”

James shrugs, but I can see the gears turning in his mind, trying to pick apart my defenses. I focus on the slope ahead, attempting to shake off the negativity he brings.

I know he would love nothing more that to prove I am single and here alone, because to him that means he wins.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoes through the mountains, reverberating beneath my feet. I freeze, my heart racing as I look up. The sound grows louder, a deep, ominous growl that sends a wave of panic through me. My stomach drops as I see it… the snow on the ridge above shifting, tumbling downward in a white rush. An avalanche.

“Lena! Get out of the way!” James shouts, but I’m rooted in place, my eyes glued to the descent of the wall of snow. It’s a monstrous wave, barreling down, and instinct kicks in. I turn to escape, but my gaze catches on a figure racing in front of the avalanche on a snowboard… Zac.

He’s carving through the snow, every muscle in his body coiled with purpose. He’s not just trying to escape; he’s trying to outrun the avalanche, trying to warn others, to get ahead of the snow. My heart leaps into my throat. What is he doing?

“Zac!” I shout, but my voice is swallowed by the roar of the avalanche.

The scene unfolds in a blur of motion. I can’t see anything else but him… his determination, the way the sun glints off his helmet, the urgency in his movements. I force my legs to work, propelling myself forward, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I head toward the chaos unfolding.

The snow is thick around me, but I’ve skied enough to know how to navigate through it. My heart races, not just from the thrill of the descent but from the fear that grips me as I watch Zac risk everything to save others. I push harder, aiming for the base of the slope, where I know people will need to be warned.

“Lena! Get to safety!” James yells again, but I can’t think about him. Not now. My eyes are locked on Zac, who’s still trying to outrun the avalanche, his board slicing through the snow with an expert’s precision.

I can hear the crunch of snow and the distant cries of skiers below, chaos erupting as the avalanche draws closer.

I take a deep breath, my decision made. I push off again, racing down the slope, my heart pounding as I start to yell for people to run to the sides, knowing they can’t outrun this thing if they stay in its path.