Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 74 The Unseen Side Of Alice

Nate found himself deep inside the cave, where the icy portal loomed before him. The oppressive darkness around him seemed alive, but it was nothing compared to the chilling scene unfolding through the shimmering, snow-filled world on the other side.

Inside the portal, the land stretched out in a desolate expanse of ice and snow. In the center of it all, Madison knelt on the frostbitten ground, her body trembling with weakness. Blood dripped from her lips, staining the pure white snow beneath her. Her hands, scratched and bloodied, tried desperately to hold her up, but it was clear she was fading.

Behind her stood the ice being. Its translucent, crystalline form reflected the dim light from the distant horizon, giving it an ethereal glow. In its clawed hand was a jagged ice dagger, glistening with Madison’s blood. It raised the weapon high, preparing to strike again.

"No! Madison!" Nate’s voice tore through the icy silence.

He sprinted toward the portal, his hand outstretched, but as he got closer, the shimmering opening seemed to push back against him. Each step felt heavier, the air denser, but he refused to stop.

"Nooooo!" he screamed again, a mix of rage and desperation in his voice.

Just as his fingers brushed the edge of the portal, the scene shattered like glass, and Nate shot awake.

---

His chest heaved as he sat upright, his body drenched in sweat. For a moment, he couldn’t remember where he was. The images of Madison, bloodied and broken, still lingered in his mind, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.

Breathing heavily, Nate pressed his palms to his face, trying to steady himself. His muscles ached, and his heart was racing as if he’d actually run miles. Slowly, he swung his legs off the bed and sat on the edge, his elbows resting on his knees.

Reaching for a nearby rag, he wiped the sweat from his face and neck before tossing it aside. "It was just a dream," he muttered under his breath, though his trembling hands betrayed his attempt to calm himself.

Falling back onto the bed, Nate stared at the rough stone ceiling. The dream didn’t feel like just a dream. It felt like a warning. A premonition.

The exhaustion weighing on his body eventually dragged him back into an uneasy sleep.

---

The next morning, the camp was alive with activity. Survivors moved about, preparing food, training, or tending to the supplies they’d managed to gather. Outside the cave, Madison and Bella were sparring in the clearing.

Madison darted back and forth with her teleportation, each step a blink across the field, while Bella used her telekinesis to throw small stones, trying to disrupt her rhythm. They both paused when they saw Nate step out of the cave, his bag slung over his shoulder and his face set with determination.

Bella straightened up, brushing her hair back. "Nate, where are you going?"

"To look for answers," he said simply, adjusting the strap of his bag.

Madison frowned, walking closer. "Answers to what?"

Nate met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "To what happened on the beach. With me and the ice being."

Madison’s brows furrowed, and she stepped forward, her tone firm. "Then I’m coming with you."

"No!" The word came out sharper than Nate intended, echoing loudly in the clearing. His sudden outburst froze Madison in her tracks, and all eyes turned toward them. Even some of the survivors working nearby stopped to look, curious about the commotion.

Madison’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her hands balling into fists at her sides. Without saying another word, she spun on her heel and walked away, her movements stiff and controlled.

Nate winced, running a hand through his hair as guilt settled in his chest. "Madison, wait—"

Bella stepped in, blocking his path. "What the hell was that about?" she demanded, her voice low but sharp.

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"I didn’t mean to yell," Nate admitted, his shoulders sagging. "It just... came out."

Bella crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "She might annoy you sometimes, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat her like that."

"I know." Nate sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can you apologize to her for me? And tell her I’ll explain everything when I get back."

Bella studied him for a moment before relenting with a small nod. "Fine. But you owe her—and me—for this."

"Thanks," Nate said softly.

He turned and started walking toward the trail leading out of the camp, his mind already focused on the journey ahead. But halfway there, a thought struck him, and he stopped. Pivoting on his heel, he headed back into the cave.

Inside, the atmosphere was quieter, the sound of distant conversations fading into the background. Nate made his way to Alice’s room, his steps quick and purposeful. Her door was slightly ajar, and in his haste, he didn’t think to knock.

Grabbing the handle, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The sight before him made him freeze in place, his breath catching in his throat.

Nate stood frozen in the doorway, his breath caught in his throat, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and desire. Alice was there before him, the bathroom light casting a soft glow on her wet, pale skin. Droplets of water traced paths down her body, each one a tiny river on her flawless canvas. Her white hair, damp and slightly clinging to her shoulders, framed her delicate, almost ethereal features with an allure that was hard to ignore.

She was wearing nothing but a thin, almost translucent underwear set that did more to reveal than to conceal. The fabric clung to her like a second skin, soaked through from her recent shower, outlining every contour of her body. The sheer material hugged her breasts, her nipples subtly visible through the fabric, adding a provocative hint of what lay beneath. The underwear barely covered her, the outline of her toned thighs and the smooth, flat plane of her abdomen visible and enticing.

As she moved slightly, adjusting her stance, the underwear shifted, emphasizing the curve of her hips and the gentle rise of her buttocks. Nate’s eyes followed the water droplets as they cascaded down her, some catching in the slight dip of her navel, others sliding down to her thighs, drawing his gaze irresistibly lower.

For a moment, Nate forgot how to speak, his mind overwhelmed by the vision before him. The air was thick with steam and the scent of her shampoo, something floral and intoxicating. Her lips parted slightly, a small smile playing at the edges, aware of the effect she was having on him. Her eyes, a piercing blue, met his, holding his gaze with a knowing look that seemed to say she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

She took a step forward, the movement making the fabric of her underwear even more see-through, her skin seeming to glow with an inner light. Nate felt his heart pound against his chest, his breath shallow and rapid. He was utterly captivated, every nerve ending in his body alight with the sight of her. The room felt smaller, warmer, as if the very walls were closing in, intensifying the intimacy of the moment.

Alice looked up at him, her expression a mix of surprise and something else Nate couldn’t quite place. "Nate," she said softly, breaking the silence. Then, she narrowed her eyes, feigning irritation. "What are you doing just standing there? Haven’t you heard of knocking?"

Nate stumbled over his words, his face heating up. "I didn’t know... I mean, the door was open, and I—uh—"

Alice smirked, wrapping a towel around herself in one smooth motion. Her movements were calm, almost graceful, but there was a playful glint in her eye. "Relax," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "You act like you’ve never seen someone in their underwear before."

Nate felt the heat creep up his neck. "I wasn’t trying to—" Stay connected with novelbuddy

"Sure, sure," Alice teased, leaning casually against the edge of her bed. "So, what’s so important that you barged in without knocking?"

He hesitated, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "I’m leaving," he finally said, his voice steadier now.

Alice raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Leaving? Where to?"

"To find answers," Nate replied, stepping further into the room now that she seemed more relaxed. "About what happened on the beach with the ice being. Something doesn’t add up, and I need to figure it out."

Alice studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she smiled, a faint but knowing curve of her lips. "So, why are you telling me this? Are you asking for my permission?"

"No," Nate said, shaking his head. "I’m asking for your help."

Her smile widened slightly, her interest clearly piqued. "My help?"

"Yeah," Nate admitted, his gaze meeting hers. "Where I’m going... it’s going to be cold. Really cold. And I can’t think of anyone better equipped to handle that than you. Your powers could make all the difference. The last time we went we couldn’t explore deeper but this time I will"

Alice tilted her head, pretending to consider his words carefully, though Nate could tell from the glimmer in her eyes that she was already on board. "Hmm... so you’re saying you need me?"

"Pretty much," Nate replied, offering a small, sheepish smile. "But no pressure. If you don’t want to—"

"I didn’t say that," Alice interrupted, her tone light. She stepped closer to him, her towel still wrapped snugly around her. "I just wanted to hear you say it."

Nate chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"So I’ve been told," she said, grinning. "When do we leave?"

"Soon," Nate replied. "I’ll get everything ready. Meet me outside in an hour."

Alice nodded, her expression turning serious for a moment. "I’ll be there. And Nate?"

He paused at the door, looking back at her.

"Thanks for asking me to come. I won’t let you down."

He gave her a reassuring nod before stepping out and closing the door behind him. As he made his way back outside, he felt a sense of relief. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he’d made the right choice in asking Alice to join him.