Somewhere in Mojave Desert.

The thick warm air coated my skin like an unwelcoming blanket. It was a sensation I couldn't shake off, an uncomfortable embrace that seemed to suffocate my Montana-bred body. I had insisted on journeying further up the state, hoping to escape the stifling heat, all in pursuit of catching a glimpse of the elusive comet. But Travis, stubborn as ever, had his mind firmly set on the perfect location. Once he made a decision, there was no swaying him.

As I peered through the lens of my telescope, a bead of sweat trickled down my temple, momentarily blurring my vison. With a frustrated sigh, I reached up, using the sleeve of my shirt to swipe away the nuisance. "This comet better be worth it," I muttered, shooting a glance in Travis's direction.

Unfazed by my grumbling, he remained fixated on his own telescope, his gaze locked onto the celestial spectacle like a determined predator. "Oh, it will be worth it alright," he assured me, his voice carrying a quiet confidence that belied the discomfort of our surroundings.

Beneath the blanket of the midnight sky, ablaze with balls of gas we call stars that shimmered like scattered jewels, I found myself lost in the vast expanse above. Each flickering light represented a distant galaxy, a world waiting to be explored. My heart soared with the possibility of uncovering new wonders.

It was a fascination that consumed me, an insatiable thirst for knowledge that had brought Travis and me together, bonding us over our shared passion for the cosmos. The universe was a canvas of mysteries for us to be together and reveal in its secrets.

A gentle breeze whispered through the silent canyon, its cool caress offering a brief respite from the oppressive heat. I breathed in deeply, savoring the fleeting relief as it washed over me.

Turning his gaze away from the celestial spectacle above, Travis finally directed his attention over my way. The moon's radiant glow illuminated his features, bringing a soft halo around his figure. "What's troubling you, my love?" he inquired, his voice a soothing melody amidst the tranquil night.

Caught in the depths of his hazel-green eyes, reminiscent the hues of Venus herself, I found myself momentarily speechless. The weight of my concerns faded away in the presence of his unwavering gaze, leaving me unable to articulate the thoughts that had weighed upon my mind.

"Listen, I know this isn't the most romantic spot we've ventured to," he began, his voice deep and soothing cadence against the backdrop of our makeshift campground. With deliberate movements he reached for his pen and notepad, jotting down a few notes before resting them on the foldable table between us. "But this area... it's like having the best seat in town," he chuckled softly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "The best seat in the world."

I surveyed our humble quarters, taking in the sight of our small pop-up tent nestled snugly on the bed of our truck. The memory of the spider I had encountered earlier that morning crept through my mind, its formidable size leaving me unwilling to brave the ground beneath. My gaze swept over the familiar elements of our campsite: two dim lanterns casting a soft glow, a pair of weathered chairs, and the sturdy table that served as the center of our stargazing endeavors, along with both of our telescopes.

Meeting his stare once more, I allowed my irritation to simmer beneath the surface, silently pleading for him to recognize my desire to bring our nit to a close. "It's been over six hours, and the comet still hasn't made an appearance," I stated firmly, crossing my arms and legs in a gesture of finality. The weight of my words hung between us, a silent plea for understanding as the night stretched on.

"Jasmine, this comet has only graced our solar system once before," Travis remarked, rising from his lengthy six-hour vigil. "And that was fifty thousand years ago." His hands moved with a fluidity born of passion, punctuating his words with sweeping gestures. "Mike and Gary calculated the probability of this being its final orbit with us at ninety-eight percent accuracy."

I mirrored his action, unfolding my arms as I stood, the tension between us palpable. "Then why didn't we follow them to see C/2022 E3? I queried, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "I mean, California may not be paradise, but it certainly beats this weather." A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead, prompting me to hastily wipe it away with my sleeve as I felt the humidity thicken around us once more.

Travis closed the distance between, his touch soothing as he rubbed my shoulders. "I promise, babe, I've double and triple-checked the calculations," he reassured me, his excitement evident as he retrieved his notepad with a fervor bordering on madness. Flipping though the pages with an almost manic energy, he presented me a bunch of symmetrical lines and incomprehensible numbers. Yet, the intensity in his eyes melted any doubts that lingered within me. If this brought him such joy, then I would continue to embrace it wholeheartedly.

I intended to maintain my façade of annoyance a bit longer but I could feel a small smile tug at the corners of my lips unexpectedly. Yet, before I could muster the resolve to protest further, it was too late.

He set aside the notepad with a decisive motion, his hands reaching out to cradle my face with a tenderness that melted my worries. His lips, dry against mine, met in a gentle kiss, a fleeting connection that sent a shiver down my spine. "That's not fair," I murmured softly, the words barely a whisper as our breath mingled between us. "I can never stay mad at you."

His lips returned to mine, this time more fervent, more urgent, as they parted in an open embrace. My hand found its way to the nape of his neck, fingers entwinning with the stands of his dark curls.

Slowly, deliberately, he trailed kisses along my heated cheeks and sweat-dampened neck. His whispered promises igniting a kindling flame that matched the scorching heat of the Mojave Desert. "And you'll be the one to capture the clearest, most brilliant picture of this rare comet," he breathed against my skin, each word sparking an electric current that surged through me.

A giggle escaped my lips as he playfully regaled me with tales of a thousand pictures I have taken over the years, each deserving of public display. But as clothes fell away and his bare chest pressed against mine, a sudden change seized the air. He gently unclasped my chunky hair pin, sending my long hair down my back.

My hand brushed over his chest, feeling the soft tufts of chest hair beneath my fingertips, when a vibrant blue hue began to emanate from his skin. His hands roamed eagerly, oblivious to the transformation unfolding before us.

"Why are you glowing blue?" I mused aloud, the question lingering in the air as I stared, transfixed, at the fluorescent light enveloping him.

"What, my love?" he responded, his gaze finally meeting mine before flickering down to his own luminous form. "What the hell?"

In a synchronized movement, we both looked up behind me, where a colossal fireball streaked across the night sky, casting an ethereal glow upon our surroundings.

Without a moment's hesitation, we dashed back to our telescopes, eager to capture the celestial spectacle unfolding before our eyes.

With a swift motion, I attached my Canon camera attachment to my scope, securing it in place as I marveled at the phenomenon. "Oh my gosh!" The words escaped my lips in breathless excitement. I snapped shot after shot, capturing the grandeur of the giant ice rock hurtling through the heavens.

The comet's vibrant blue aura cast a radiant glow, illuminating its form as it glided across the night sky effortlessly. Its rugged surface, marked by divots and jagged edges, possessed an otherworldly brilliance that captivated my gaze. The light seemed to emanate from within, casting haunting cracks of blue against the dark expanse.

My eyes widened as the comet drew nearer, my lens struggled to contain the enormity of the celestial body. "Travis," I said, my voice slicing though the air with urgency. I teared away from the scope to focus on the impending danger.

But Travis was preoccupied, engrossed in his task of documenting our observations. With growing alarm, I watched as the comet loomed closer, its approach accompanied by a high-pitched buzz that reverberated through the air like a siren.

In an instant, the impact sent shockwaves rippling through my body, wrenching me from my chair and crashing onto the unforgiving earth below. The world spun in a dizzying blur as dust kicked up, making it hard to see anything. The ringing in my ears drowned out Travis's frantic words as he tried to head my way.

His face swarmed into view and my senses slowly started returning. "Jazzy! Baby, are you okay?" he implored, his hands searching for any signs of injury.

Blinking away the haze, I struggled to comprehend what had happened as he helped me on my two feet.

He then hurriedly fetched our shirts and keys. "A part of the comet broke off," he explained hastily, his words laden with disbelief. "It landed just a few miles north of us. Come on, we have to go see."

But fear rooted me in place, my feet refusing to budge. "Travis, I don't thing we should," I pleaded, my voice trembling with apprehension as I tried putting my shirt back on.

"This is our opportunity, Jazzy," he insisted, wiping his caked face of dirt with the hem of his shirt. "Our chance to make a breakthrough. We will be the first to be this close to a 50,000-year-old comet that landed right in our doorstep." He pointed in the direction of where it landed. My eyes trailed the distant and caught a glimpse of the same terrifying blue light. "Tell me that isn't fate."

Scenarios, both good and bad, raced through my mind with each one heavier than the last, anchoring my feet with each passing thought. Despite the ego part of my urge to leave.

"I can't do this without you," he murmured, his doe eyes locking with mine, pleading silently.

The vulnerability in them pulled at something deep within. "Okay." I relented, my voice betraying my uncertainty.

We climbed into the truck, leaving behind the remnants of our campsite without a second thought. The tent in the back flapped furiously until it was unable to hold against the wind much longer. I watched it float away disappearing in the dark as Travis accelerated, the scenery blurring around us.

Approaching the crater, Travis was the first one out of the truck. The eerie blue light that could be seen from miles away in the dark barren desert beamed high in the sky, drawing him closer like a moth to a flame. With each hesitant step forward, a chill crept into the air, wrapping around me like a frigid embrace. Shivers danced along my body, a silent warning.

My heart raced, and a persistent ringing filled my ears. "I think this is close enough," I suggested, catching a sight of what appeared to be solid rock with bits of ice buildup on scattered sections. I took a few snap shots before placing my camera on the hood of the truck.

Ignoring my caution, Travis edged nearer, dangerously entranced by the comet's beaty. "Jazzy, you have to see this," he called, his face bathed in the ghostly light, casting ominous shadows across his features.

Without warning, the comet began to pulse, its light flickering in erratic rhythms. "What's it doing?" I questioned, maintain a cautious distance.

Travis turned towards me. "I'm not sure. The light seems to be intensifying."

"Alright, its time to go. We need to contact STEM or something," I urged, my eyes scanning the deserted expanse of the desert for any sign of approaching headlight, finding none but the vast darkness surround us and the enigmatic blue orb.

"Just a quick sample," Travis insisted, his curiosity overriding caution.

Before I could protest, the comet erupted, throwing him off his feet. I rushed to his side, the ice cold rock now vanished, leaving only swirling dust in its wake. As I knelt beside him, I noticed fragments of the neon blue glow embedded into his clothes and skin.

He felt cold as I touched his cheek. "Travis! Please, no!" I pleaded, shaking him gently, careful not to disrupt the glowing fragments.

Checking his pulse, I watched in fear as the minerals now began to sink into his skin with no trace of an opening appearing. The eerie glow was now visible beneath his flesh streaming up towards his head like a flowing river coursing through his veins.

Then, with a sudden intake of breath, Travis stirred.

Relief flooded over me as the headlights of truck bathed us in familiar light. "Thank God," I whispered, examining his face for any signs of distress. "Are you alright? Can you move?"

As his eyes fluttered open, the once-familiar hazel hues had transformed into an unnerving, icy blue, sending my mouth gaping open. It was as if a veil of unfamiliarity had draped over him, casting a shadow of unease in the air.

A sudden fit of coughing erupted from him, and crimson droplets trickled from the corners of his eyes and ears, staining his features with a macabre hue. My heart raced, a knot of dread tightening in my chest as I watched helplessly.

With a sense of urgency, I scrambled to retrieve a rag from the glove compartment, my hands trembling with fear. But when I turned back, he was gone, leaving behind a void of silence.

I sucked in a breath.

"Travis?" I called out tentatively, the sound of my own voice barely audible against the backdrop of desolation. A surge of panic seized me as I imagined him stumbling disoriented into the crater.

Racing over to the gaping maw of the obsidian hole, I strained my eyes in search of any sign. "Travis!" I shouted into the chasm, the echo of my voice fading, swallowed by the oppressive darkness.

Recalling the flashlight in the dash, I raced back, nearly stumbling in my haste. Snatching the small black flashlight, I spun around to find Travis standing ominously behind me, causing a shocking gasp that escaped past my lips.

Relieved, I looked up at him, only to be met with a vacant stare, his eyes still cold blue met with madness. A chilling screech pierced the silence, and before I could react, Travis lunged, throwing us both into the truck.

I kicked and screamed, pleading for him to stop but he was relentless. His wild thrashing threatened to overpower me, his teeth aiming for my flesh. "Please stop! Help! Travis, stop!" My voice cracked with each desperate cry.

My head banged against the driver's side door with him still on top. Pressing my hands against his neck, I struggled to keep him at bay as he lunged again, sinking his teeth into my shoulder. The pain sent jolts throughout my body, and I screamed like I've never screamed before.

Desperation fueled me as I pried him off and stiffened my arm. Pushing a gap between us, his mouth smeared with my blood as I watched in horror, him chewing the chunk he took. With the other hand I franticly felt for anything to grab.

Taking the driver's seat belt, I wrapped it tightly around his neck to restrain him.

But his motivated attack persisted, causing my hold to slip from the belt each time he moved. With a trembling hand, I fumbled for the door latch, freeing myself from his grasp. I slammed the door shut, trapping Travis inside. Without looking back, I ran away as fast as my legs could go.

Tears mixed with dirt and blood blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, each step becoming more laborious as my left arm throbbed with agony. My movements grew sluggish, my thoughts muddled and not cooperating.

Feeling a scratchy sensation deep in my throat I coughed vigorously into my hand, dark scarlet liquid coating my palm. Collapsing to my knees, I felt a swarm of sensation, like insects crawling from my shoulder and up. Then I felt nothing. I can't control my thoughts, my vision blurred completely. I...I can't...Travis...hungry...hungry...hungry.