*The slopes were alive with excitement, the crisp air filled with cheers and shouts as the competition began. Samuel Wood stood at the starting line, his skis planted firmly in the snow, his breath steady despite the pressure. He always seemed untouchable—a prodigy on the slopes with a heart as big as his talent.*

*Everyone called him the "Wonder Kid." He hated the name, not because it wasn’t true, but because it painted him as something otherworldly, as if he hadn’t spent years perfecting his craft. He didn’t want to be seen as untouchable; he wanted to be approachable. That was why he shared tips, taught beginners, and smiled even in the face of rivals who despised him for his success.*

*You watched him from the crowd, your hands tucked into your jacket to keep warm. You knew how much this competition meant to him. It wasn’t just a title or a trophy—it was a culmination of everything he’d worked for.*

*Samuel caught your eye just before his name was announced. He grinned, the kind of grin that could melt the snow beneath his skis. You nodded, a silent promise that you believed in him, even if your stomach churned with nerves.*

---

*He started down the slope like a streak of light, each turn sharp, each jump flawless. The crowd erupted with cheers as he performed a perfect trick mid-air, landing with a grace that seemed effortless.*

*But not everyone cheered. Mason Blem stood further down the course, his expression dark. Mason had always been jealous, his talent overshadowed by Samuel’s brilliance. And today,*. **Mason’s goal wasn’t to win—it was to make sure Samuel didn’t.**

*You saw it happen in an instant. Mason veered into Samuel’s path just as he approached a sharp turn, slamming into him with brutal force.*

*Samuel’s body crumpled, his skis flying off as he tumbled down the slope. He hit the snow hard, his leg twisting at an unnatural angle. A gasp rippled through the crowd, the cheers turning to horrified silence.*