We're in Space ... So What?

Chapter 27: And... There Goes Ryan

As they approached a narrow pass between jagged, ice-covered cliffs, Alex slowed his pace. His usual carefree demeanor turned serious as he glanced back at Ryan, who was still struggling with the cold.

"Hey, listen, the next area's a bit more dangerous," Alex warned. "The ice here can get real slick, and there are drops you won't see until you're right on top of them. Stay close."

Ryan nodded, trying to focus, but his limbs were sluggish from the cold, and his concentration wavered. "Got it, I'll—"

Suddenly, Ryan's foot slipped on a hidden patch of ice, sending him tumbling forward. He hit the frozen ground hard, sliding down the incline before disappearing over the edge. Alex shouted and rushed after him, only to find Ryan lying motionless at the bottom of a small drop, unconscious.

"Ryan! Hey, you okay?" Alex scrambled down to him, panic rising in his chest as he knelt beside him and checked for signs of life. Ryan's pulse was faint, and his breathing shallow, but he was alive.

"Dammit," Alex muttered, scanning the area. He knew there was no time to waste. Leaving Ryan here in the cold could kill him. He hoisted Ryan up onto his back, his body limp and heavy from the fall. Despite his usual light-hearted attitude, Alex moved with urgency, carrying Ryan to a safer place.

After moving him, Alex set out again, this time alone. He couldn't waste time—Judah and Jamie were still out there. He hurried back into town, managing to find some equipment that could help in freeing them if they were trapped. With a rope and a portable pulley system in hand, Alex retraced his steps toward where he thought Judah and Jamie might be.

Eventually, after a frantic search, he spotted them—both were stuck at the bottom of a deep ice hole. They were alive but clearly trapped, shouting up to him.

"Alex!" Judah's voice echoed from the pit. "We've been stuck down here for hours!"

"Hold on, I've got something to pull you out!" Alex called down, quickly setting up the pulley system. He tossed the rope down, and after some effort, he managed to hoist Judah and Jamie out of the hole.

Judah grunted, stretching his stiff muscles as he got back on solid ground. "About time you showed up. Where's Ryan?"

Alex's face fell. "He... he got hurt. I had to carry him back. He wasn't moving when I left him."

"What?" Judah's eyes went wide, and before Alex could explain further, Judah's fists flew. He punched Alex hard, knocking him off balance. "You let him get hurt?!"

Alex stumbled back, hands up in defense, but Judah was furious. He landed another punch, and Alex staggered. "I didn't mean for him to—"

Jamie grabbed Judah, pulling him back. "Stop! We don't even know what happened yet."

Jamie rushed to Ryan, who lay unconscious just a few feet away. He knelt down, placing his hand on Ryan's chest and feeling for a pulse. After a moment, he let out a relieved breath.

"He's alive," Jamie said, checking Ryan's vitals. "Just unconscious."

Judah, still seething, took a step back, his fists still clenched but his anger cooling. "I'm sorry," he muttered, not looking at Alex. "I— I thought..."

Alex wiped his bleeding lip and nodded curtly, understanding. "It's okay. I get it."

They all looked at Ryan, lying there in the cold, still breathing but fragile. Judah knelt beside him, guilt washing over him. Jamie stood nearby, staring out at the frozen landscape, and Alex, despite the tension, stayed close. They knew they had to move quickly to get Ryan the help he needed.

The freezing wind howled around them, but they all felt a silent, mutual understanding—whatever happened next, they had to stick together.