Niel is ready. He didn't even think about his decision yesterday, he knows he wants to meet his stranger. They were able to open up to each other, and Niel wants to know everything about him. He wants to know his name, his face. Niel can't wait for the activity today, not even able to go to sleep last night because of it.

He doesn't want to think about the possibility of his stranger not wanting to meet him. Niel thinks that the other man likes him back, but who knows. He could think meeting Niel is a huge mistake. Although he didn't sound that way on the phone the other day.

Niel hears a knock on his door. Upon opening, he sees Kathryn's face. "Would you like to participate in today's activity?"

"Yes," Niel says.

Kathryn gives a gentle smile and begins leading him down the hallway by the arm. "I'm glad you made this decision, and I hope your soulmate does too. While this island is meant to encourage healing to help you meet your soulmate, you don't have to be fully healed by the end.

"The point is that you're trying, and in a relationship, if no one puts forth effort there's no point. You should always give more and expect less back. I wish you luck."

He gives a tight-lipped smile, her words only slightly encouraging. She leads Niel into the lobby, handing him off to a staff member who's ready to take him to the trail he needs to hike.

They don't say anything Niel's entire way there, and the butterflies in his stomach don't help his queasiness in the slightest. This entire situation is nerve-wracking for him, although he doesn't regret it for a second.

They reach the base of the trail and the woman walking him there gives him a few supplies. A bag, filled with water bottles, as well as a couple of snacks.

"It shouldn't take you that long to travel up, and you're going to come down the other side. The protocol is that you have to wait at the top for five minutes, just to see if the other is going to show up."

Her use of the word "if"doesn't boost Niel's confidence in the slightest. She's probably seen countless people come back down heartbroken, and Niel holds onto the hope that he won't be one of them.

Taking a deep breath, Niel focuses on his surroundings, not what lies ahead of him. Although all he sees are trees and plants, nothing to actually entertain him, and so he finds his mind drifting to their last conversation.

"You can't swim?"

"No, I used to be able to, but then I broke my arm, and I haven't swum since then."

"That's cute."

Niel intakes a breath at what the stranger says. "Is it? I always thought it was silly."

"I know how to swim, but I'm not comfortable enough around a couple of strangers to do it. I'm not sure how I learned though."

"Would you teach me how to swim?"

The other man hums. "Maybe."

If they do end up together, Niel hopes that the man does teach him to swim, sure that they would have a fun time together.

Niel's mind is brought back to the present by a bridge lying in front of him. Of course they would put some kind of weird obstacle during this activity. Sure, he loved the aerial obstacle course, but that was meant to be fun and they had harnesses.

This is a most likely dangerous wooden bridge where you can fall to your death in seconds.

Nevertheless, Niel crosses it, wanting to know what is at the end of this trail. He makes a mental note to tell the hosts about it, however, when it groans under his weight. If his stranger is at the end of the trail, he may make sure that none of them have to cross any more scary bridges.

Niel doesn't feel tired at all, just wanting to know the answer.

There's a hill, and Niel has a feeling that this is the end. This is it.

He quickens his pace and begins climbing to the top. And when he gets there, he sees nothing but the sky and the surrounding trees.

Just wait, Niel thinks, he'll show up.

And so he does. For longer than five minutes.

Niel's vision blurs, he isn't coming.

After everything they've talked about, it didn't seem like there were any signs that the stranger didn't like him. Where did Niel go wrong?

Just as he starts approaching the other side of the hill to begin heading down, he sees a figure arise. A man.

They make eye contact, and the man walks over to Niel, concern written on his face.

"Why are you crying? I'm not late am I?"

Niel instantly recognizes the voice and he shakes his head. "Tears of joy, I swear. You're right on time." He thrusts out his hand. "I'm Niel."

Their hands meet. "I'm Alek."

They feel a click between them on contact, as if two puzzle pieces are being put into place, and they both sigh dreamily.

"I realized, that sometimes it's worth it to make a leap of faith," Alek pulls Niel into a hug, "And if that leap is for you, I'll go anywhere."

The End