The trail to the fight Part 1
By the Masked Writer
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The sun was already high in the sky, blazing down on the tropical island with an intensity only tempered by the occasional cooling breeze. Kate arrived first at the trailhead, her sunglasses pushed up onto her head and her water bottle swinging casually from her hand. She glanced at the posted map detailing the winding paths of the dense interior jungle, her posture relaxed. She has done it before.
At 28, 5’7 and 129 pounds, her slim but relatively athletic build was immediately noticeable—lean and toned, with defined, though thin, arms and legs that spoke of dedication to fitness. She wore a pair of snug, black hiking shorts that emphasized her long, sculpted legs, and a sporty, minimalistic black bikini top that perfectly complemented her figure. Her lightweight hiking shoes looked well-worn, suited for someone who was no stranger to activity.
Her demeanor was calm but confident, and as she adjusted the straps on her small daypack, she scanned the parking lot with faint curiosity. Kate wasn’t much for idle chit-chat, but she knew today’s guided hike would include others. She hoped whoever joined would be able to keep up.
Just as Kate was considering heading down the trail on her own, she heard the crunch of gravel and turned to see another figure approaching.
Jodie stepped out of a cab, her straw sunhat shading her face as she took in the scenery. The heat was oppressive, but she wasn’t about to let it ruin her first real adventure of the trip. Pushing the brim of her hat back, she straightened her posture and strode toward the trailhead with a deliberate gait. At 5’5 and 147 pounds, her figure was fuller, softer than Kate’s, but no less striking. She had a few love handles around the waist but her curves gave her an air of feminine strength, and her pale skin, slightly pink from her first day in the sun, made her stand out against the lush greenery surrounding the trail.
Jodie’s outfit was as practical as it was flattering. Her high-waisted, light blue hiking shorts hugged her hips snugly, while her pastel-patterned bikini top provided just enough support while still allowing her to keep cool in the heat. Her sturdy but new-looking hiking shoes suggested she wasn’t a regular hiker, but she was prepared to give it her best shot. A small backpack hung loosely over her shoulders, carrying the essentials—water, sunscreen, and a guidebook she’d flipped through earlier at breakfast.
“Morning,” Jodie called out, her voice friendly but slightly guarded.
Kate nodded, offering a polite smile. “Morning. Are you here for the guided hike?”
“Yeah. Figured it’d be good to get out of the resort for a bit,” Jodie replied, adjusting the strap of her backpack. “It’s too easy to just lounge around and drink all day.”
Kate smirked. “True. Nice to see someone else who wanted to do something active.”
Jodie caught the edge in Kate’s tone, and brushed it off with a laugh. “Yeah, I guess I’m not as hardcore as some people.” She glanced meaningfully at Kate’s fit frame. “But I can keep up.”
The tension was there, though hardly noticeable. Kate raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced as she looked at Jodie’s curvy and really, slightly chubby body, but did not comment. Instead, she gestured toward the trail map. “It’s supposed to be a pretty tough hike. A lot of uphill, especially in this heat.”
“I’ll manage,” Jodie replied.
As they waited for the guide, the two women stood in silence for a moment, both looking at the lush, winding trail that disappeared into the dense jungle ahead. The air was thick with humidity, the occasional bird call breaking the quiet.
Neither of them knew that by the end of the day, they’d be fighting with no one around to stop them.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, beating down relentlessly as Kate and Jodie stood at the trailhead, already sweating. Time was flying and no trace of the guide, or anybody else around. Finally, Kate sighed and pulled her phone from the side pocket of her backpack.
"I'll call the guide," she said flatly, glancing at Jodie, who had just plopped down on a nearby rock, fanning herself with her hat.
Jodie nodded lazily. "Yeah, good idea. He’s running late as hell, and this heat is brutal."
Kate dialed, holding the phone to her ear. After a few rings, a cheerful but apologetic voice answered on the other end.
“Hi, this is Kate. We’re at the trailhead waiting for the hike to start,” she said, her tone firm and clipped.
The guide hesitated before responding. "Ah, yeah, sorry about that. I won’t be coming today. Most people canceled. With only two participants, it’s not really worth it, especially with that heat. ”
Kate’s jaw tightened. “So, what are we supposed to do? Turn back?”
“Well, the trail’s clearly marked. You two look like you’re in decent shape, if I remember. It should be fine if you stick to the main path. Just make sure to have enough water and keep an eye out for markers. Stay safe!”
Before Kate could protest, the line went dead. She lowered the phone, exhaling sharply.
“What’s the deal?” Jodie asked, pulling her sunglasses down over her eyes.
“He’s not coming,” Kate replied curtly.
Jodie raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? How come?”
Kate shrugged, irritation creeping into her voice. “Apparently, it’s not ‘worth it’ for him. Guess most people bailed because of the heat.”
Jodie rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s just great. So, what now? Head back to the resort and waste the whole day?”
Kate hesitated, glancing at the trailhead. The dense jungle beyond beckoned, its shadows promising some relief from the oppressive sun.
“We could do the hike ourselves,” she suggested, turning to Jodie.
Jodie’s expression was a mix of surprise and uncertainty. “By ourselves? Isn’t that against some kind of safety rule?”
“It’s a marked trail. We have water, and it’s not like we’re climbing a mountain,” Kate replied, crossing her arms. “Unless you think it’s too much for you? I can do it by myself.”
Jodie’s head snapped up at the thinly veiled challenge. “I didn’t say that. I can handle it. Just don’t want to get lost out there.”
“We won’t,” Kate said confidently, already adjusting her backpack straps. “It’s better than sitting around doing nothing.”
Jodie sighed and stood, brushing off her shorts. “Fine. Let’s do it. But if we get eaten by a jaguar or something, I’m blaming you.”
Kate smirked faintly, muttering “Jaguar ? Really…”.” and started down the trail without another word, leaving Jodie to catch up.
At first, it looked easy enough. The canopy above provided some shade, and the sounds of birds and rustling leaves made for a peaceful backdrop. Kate took the lead, while Jodie followed a few steps behind, her pace slightly slower.
But as the trail began to climb, the heat became oppressive, and the uneven ground made things increasingly challenging. Roots and rocks jutted out of the dirt, forcing them to watch their footing. The sweat dripping down their backs was as much from the heat and the humidity than from exertion.
Jodie paused, for the third time in ten minutes, leaning against a tree to catch her breath. Her face was flushed, and her arms glistened with sweat.
“Can we slow down for a second?” she called out.
Kate stopped. “We’ve barely started,” she said.
“Barely started?” Jodie huffed. “We’ve been walking uphill for, like, twenty minutes.”
Kate walked back a few steps, her expression tinged with a subtle impatience. “It’s a hike, Jodie. What did you expect? A paved walkway?”
Jodie’s eyes narrowed. “I expected the guide to be here, for one thing. This whole thing is harder without someone who actually knows the trail.”
Kate shrugged. “You said you could keep up, remember?”
Jodie straightened. “I am keeping up. I’m just saying we don’t have to sprint through the whole thing.”
“If you want to take a break every five minutes, we’ll never finish.” Kate said, her voice cool.
“Okay!” Jodie snapped, brushing past her and taking the lead. “Let’s just keep going.”
Kate raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
As they climbed higher, the trail became narrower and more overgrown. The heat seemed to intensify, insects the insects were constantly growing in number, attracted by the salty smell of sweat. Both women were dripping with sweat, their hair clinging to their faces and necks, their bodies glistening, their light clothing sticking to their skin.
The trail began to climb steeply, and the ground turned from packed dirt to loose gravel, making the ascent treacherous. At one section, a large fallen log blocked their path. Kate approached first, leaning down to inspect it.
“Looks like we’re climbing over,” she muttered, setting her water bottle aside.
“Or we could move it,” Jodie suggested, stepping up beside her.
Kate glanced at her skeptically. “It’s huge. Not worth the effort.”
But Jodie wasn’t listening. Planting her feet firmly on the uneven ground, she crouched low, gripping the log with both hands. With a grunt of effort, she lifted one side of the log and shifted it a few inches. Enough for it to be out of the way.
Kate blinked, momentarily surprised. “Alright, She-Hulk,” she said dryly, crossing her arms.
Jodie smirked, her face flushed with effort but triumphant. “Just saving us some time.” She gave the log one final shove, clearing the path.
“Impressive,” Kate admitted, stepping through. “But strength is one thing, endurance another.”
“We’ll see about that,” Jodie shot back, grabbing her water bottle and moving ahead on the trail.
In the next stretch of the hike, the incline was relentless, the air thick with humidity that made breathing feel increasingly difficult. Jodie slowed down, her legs burning and her pace faltering. Kate, however, kept moving, her steps steady and unyielding.
“You good back there?” Kate called over her shoulder, barely winded.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jodie replied, though her voice was strained. She paused for a moment, hands on her hips, before forcing herself to keep going.
Kate waited a few feet ahead, her expression calm but tinged with amusement. “This is the easy part.”
Jodie scowled. “Easy for you, maybe. You’ve got legs like a gazelle.”
Kate laughed lightly. “And you’ve got strength. Use it to your advantage.”
“Oh, I will,” Jodie muttered, her competitive edge sharpening. But then, she looked around and stopped.
“Are we even going the right way?” She asked, looking around at the dense jungle.
“There was a marker back there,” Kate said, with a glimpse of impatience, pointing back down the trail.
“Yeah, like five minutes ago,” Jodie shot back. “How do we know we didn’t miss another one?”
“We didn’t,” Kate replied firmly.
Jodie crossed her arms. “You sure about that? Because this doesn’t look like a main trail to me. It feels like we’re just wandering deeper into the jungle.”
Kate exhaled sharply, stepping past Jodie to take the lead again. “If you’re so worried about getting lost, maybe you should’ve stayed back at the resort.”
Jodie bristled. “Excuse me? I’m not the one dragging us up this mountain at breakneck speed without a clue where we’re going.”
“I do know where we’re going,” Kate said, her voice rising slightly. “There is no point in complaining every five minutes.”
“Complaining?” Jodie snapped. “You’ve been acting like this whole thing is some kind of fitness competition. Newsflash, Kate: it isn’t. I am not doing a marathon.”
Kate stopped, turning to face Jodie fully. “Then, maybe you should’ve thought about that before signing up for a hike you clearly can’t handle.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. Jodie stared at Kate, her hands curling into fists at her sides.
“Maybe I can’t handle the hike,” Jodie said, her voice low and cold. “But I can definitely handle you.”
The tension between them was palpable, the jungle around them silent except for the distant call of a bird. Neither of them moved, their frustration boiling just under the surface, ready to explode.
The trail alternated between steep climbs and narrow descents. On rough terrain, Jodie could use her strong legs to push through obstacles and maintain her balance. Kate excelled on the long, grueling climbs, her endurance and rhythm carrying her through stretches that left Jodie winded.
The more they hiked, the more aware they became of each other’s capabilities—and weaknesses. Subtle digs and challenging glances were exchanged.
But the tension between them was impossible to ignore now, and the isolated jungle did not make things easier.
As the trail grew steeper and more challenging, both women pushed themselves harder, their movements more aggressive, their glances sharper. Neither would admit it, but they were no longer hiking for the experience—they were hiking to prove something.
The trail eventually leveled out, and the dense jungle opened up, revealing a clearing bathed in golden sunlight. The sound of rushing water greeted them, and both women’s eyes were drawn to a small, picturesque river cascading into a shallow pool beneath a gentle waterfall. The water glistened invitingly, the perfect reprieve after hours of grueling heat and effort.
Kate wiped the sweat from her brow and dropped her backpack near the riverbank. “Finally,” she muttered, unzipping the side pocket to grab her water bottle.
Jodie arrived a moment later, letting out a low whistle. “Not bad,” she said, already tugging off her shoes and socks. “This was worth it.”
Kate raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. “You thought it wasn’t going to be?”
Jodie shrugged. “After all that uphill nonsense, I had my doubts. But hey, even you can’t ruin a view like this.”
Kate rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. She kicked off her shoes and stepped into the shallow pool, letting out a sigh as the cool water rushed over her feet. Jodie followed, wading in a bit farther and splashing water onto her arms and shoulders.
For a few minutes, they were quiet, focusing on cooling down and soaking in the peaceful surroundings. The sound of the sea was faint but unmistakable, just beyond the trees on the other side of the clearing.
As Kate leaned down to splash water on her face, Jodie glanced over at her, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You know, for someone who thinks she’s such a pro, you sure didn’t look so confident back there on that steep section.”
Kate straightened, turning to face her. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Jodie said, her tone teasing but with an edge. “You were huffing and puffing just like I was. Guess all that ‘stamina’ of yours isn’t as great as you think.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t ‘huffing and puffing.’ I was pacing myself. Something you clearly don’t know how to do.”
Jodie scoffed. “Oh, please. Pacing yourself? Is that what you call dragging your feet? Face it, Kate, you’re not as tough as you like to pretend.”
“And you’re not as strong as you like to think,” Kate shot back. “Sure, you can shove a log out of the way, but when it comes to actual endurance, you’re hopeless. I’ve been carrying this hike the whole time.”
“At least I don’t act like a drill sergeant on vacation,” Jodie snapped. “You can’t just enjoy anything, can you? Always have to prove you’re better than everyone else.”
Kate took another step forward, her jaw tight. “Maybe that’s because I am better than you. And you can’t stand it.”
Jodie’s laugh was sharp and humorless. “Oh, you think you’re better? That’s hilarious. You’re just a stuck-up know-it-all who can’t handle being called out.”
“And you’re just a lazy show-off who can’t keep up when it actually matters,” Kate retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.
The tension snapped like a taut wire. Jodie’s eyes flashed, and she stepped forward, giving Kate a hard shove to the shoulders.
“Say that again,” Jodie growled, her voice low and threatening.
Kate stumbled back a step, her expression shifting from surprise to fury. Without thinking, she shoved Jodie right back, her hands slamming against her shoulders.
“This is how you want it ? Fine. Bring it,” Kate said, her voice icy.
To be continued
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