The trail to the fight Part 2
By the Masked Writer
Jodie didn’t hesitate. She shoved Kate again, harder this time, sending her back into the shallow water. Kate staggered but caught herself, the splash sending droplets flying.
“Big mistake,” Kate hissed, lunging forward and shoving Jodie with enough force to knock her off balance. Jodie’s feet slipped on the wet rocks, and she landed with a splash, soaking her shorts and bikini top.
Jodie scrambled to her feet, her face dark with anger. “That’s it,” she spat, advancing on Kate. “I’ve had enough.”
Kate stood her ground, her muscles tensed. “So have I.” She said.
The clearing around them grew silent except for the sound of rushing water and the distant waves.
They circled each other warily, both knowing this was no longer about the hike.
The tension finally exploded into action. Standing knee-deep in the cool, clear water, Kate and Jodie lunged at each other.
Jodie struck first, shoving Kate with both hands and forcing her backward. The water churned around them as Kate tried to steady herself, but Jodie was indeed stronger. With a grunt, Jodie grabbed Kate by the arm and pulled her off balance, her wet hair flying as she stumbled forward.
Using her raw power, Jodie advanced. She grabbed Kate again, this time by the shoulders, and forced her backward toward the edge of the pool. With a yell, she shoved Kate hard enough to send her sprawling into the water.
Kate splashed down with a gasp, momentarily submerged. She scrambled to her hands and knees, water streaming off and nipples pointing in her bikini top as she glared up at Jodie.
“You done yet?” Jodie taunted, smirking as she stood tall over Kate.
Kate growled low in her throat, pushing herself to her feet. “Not even close.”
Fueled by her stubborn determination, Kate surged forward, slamming her shoulder into Jodie’s midsection. The impact drove the stronger woman backward, her footing slipping on the uneven riverbed. Jodie let out a sharp breath as the wind was knocked from her lungs, and she fell into the water with a loud splash.
Now both of them were soaked, their movements slowed by exhaustion and the resistance of the water. Jodie tried to push herself up, but Kate was relentless. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Jodie in a clumsy attempt to pin her down.
Jodie growled, struggling against Kate’s grip. Her superior strength helped her break free, shoving Kate aside and scrambling to her feet. But the effort was costing her; her breaths were coming in heavy gasps, her muscles trembling with fatigue under her layer of fat.
Kate, on the other hand, was bruised and battered but still on her feet, her endurance giving her the ability to keep fighting. She circled Jodie, her movements less powerful but more deliberate.
“Getting tired?” Kate taunted, her voice breathless but steady.
“Shut up,” Jodie spat, swinging wildly.
Kate ducked under Jodie’s wide swing, the fist slicing through the air above her. She sidestepped quickly, planting her hands against Jodie’s shoulders and shoving her with all her strength. Jodie staggered, her footing unsteady on the uneven, slippery rocks beneath the water. She managed to stay upright, digging her feet in and surging back toward Kate.
Jodie’s superior strength remained evident as she grabbed Kate by the arm, wrenching her forward and throwing her off balance. Kate stumbled into the water, splashing down to one knee, but she twisted free before Jodie could fully capitalize on the move.
“You’re not getting away that easily,” Jodie growled, lunging again. This time, she caught Kate around the waist in a clumsy but forceful tackle, lifting her slightly before the water dragged them both back down.
Kate gasped as they hit the riverbed, her arms flailing to break free. Jodie tried to pin her down, using her weight and strength to keep Kate under control. But the water made their movements slippery and difficult, and Kate squirmed free, landing an elbow against Jodie’s ribs in the process.
“Not so tough now, are you?” Kate panted, her voice laced with defiance.
Jodie winced but didn’t retreat. She rose to her feet again, grabbing at Kate’s arm in an attempt to pull her back down. Kate twisted sharply, breaking Jodie’s grip, but the force left her off balance. Jodie charged forward, wrapping her arms around Kate’s upper body in a crushing bear hug.
Kate gritted her teeth as the pressure tightened around her ribs. Jodie’s strength was still a major factor, and every muscle in her arms seemed to burn with the effort of holding Kate in place. Kate struggled, her feet slipping against the rocks as she tried to push Jodie off.
But Jodie’s grip was weakening. The long, relentless exertion was taking its toll, her muscles trembling with fatigue. Sensing the shift, Kate gritted her teeth and planted her feet firmly, shoving Jodie backward with all her might. Jodie stumbled, releasing her grip as she tried to regain her footing, but Kate followed up with a sharp push to her shoulder, sending her crashing into the water.
Jodie recovered quickly and was soon back on her feet. Her face was flushed, her breaths ragged, but she was not quitting. She charged forward again, her hands raised in an attempt to grapple Kate’s arms.
Kate blocked clumsily, catching Jodie’s wrists and forcing them down, but the impact of Jodie’s charge sent both of them reeling. They crashed into the water together, thrashing as each tried to gain the upper hand. Jodie’s weight and raw power helped her pin Kate momentarily, her hand pressing against Kate’s shoulder to keep her submerged.
Kate’s lungs burned as she struggled beneath Jodie’s grip. But she had still enough energy left to twist her body, using her legs to kick out and knock Jodie off balance. The heavier woman fell to the side with a splash, her grip loosening enough for Kate to escape.
Both women staggered to their feet, drenched and gasping for air. Jodie’s shoulders were slumped, her movements slower and less coordinated. Her strength was still a threat, but her fatigue was clear in the way she wavered with each step.
Kate, though also exhausted, showed more stamina. She sidestepped another one of Jodie’s punches, this time managing to grab her opponent’s wrist and twist it sharply. Jodie winced, her body turning awkwardly as Kate pushed her backward into the water again.
For every advantage Kate gained with her endurance, she paid the price in raw effort. Fighting Jodie’s stronger, heavier frame had drained her almost entirely, her legs trembling and her arms burning with each move. Jodie’s strength, though fading, was still enough to test Kate’s limits.
They clashed again, their movements getting slower by the second, becoming clumsy as exhaustion overtook them both. Jodie managed to grab Kate’s arm and drag her forward, their bodies colliding as they tumbled into the water together. Kate retaliated with a desperate push, forcing Jodie to roll away, but the effort left her sprawled and gasping for breath.
They rose unsteadily, glaring at each other through the haze of fatigue. Both were drenched, their muscles trembling, their breathing ragged. Every move was labored, their rivalry reduced to pure willpower.
Jodie swung again, but her strength was spent, and Kate dodged easily. With a clumsy punch to the stomach, Kate sent Jodie stumbling back into the shallows. Jodie tried to rise but collapsed onto her knees, her arms too heavy to lift.
Kate stood over her, swaying slightly but still on her feet. Her chest heaved with effort, her body aching from the prolonged fight, but her endurance had seen her through.
“You’re done,” Kate panted, her voice hoarse but firm.
Jodie didn’t respond, her head bowed as she struggled to catch her breath. Both women were completely spent, their bodies pushed beyond their limits. Neither had the energy for another round, the fight ending in mutual exhaustion
Kate staggered back a step, water dripping from her trembling limbs, and leaned heavily against a moss-covered rock. Her heart thundered in her chest, and every breath burned her lungs. Across from her, Jodie knelt in the shallows, her head bowed, her hands pressing into the water to steady herself.
For a long moment, the only sounds were their labored breathing and the steady rush of the waterfall. The fight had drained them both, leaving them exhausted, with a feeling of absurdity.
Kate finally broke the silence. “We’re done,” she said, her voice hoarse but steady.
Jodie raised her head slowly, her wet hair plastered to her face. Her eyes met Kate’s, defiant but resigned. After a few seconds, she gave a slight nod and pushed herself to her feet with a grunt of effort.
“I hope you feel better now,” Jodie said, her tone sharp despite her exhaustion.
Kate snorted, shaking her head. “Me? You started it.”
“Yeah, because you couldn’t stop running your mouth,” Jodie shot back, though there was little heat behind her words.
“Maybe you should work on handling criticism,” Kate replied, leaning heavily on the rock to steady herself.
Jodie glared at her but didn’t reply. Instead, she brushed the wet hair from her face and trudged toward the edge of the pool, each step heavy and deliberate.
As Jodie reached the riverbank, she paused and turned back to look at Kate. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to keep going,” she said, her voice quieter now.
Kate managed a wry smile, straightening up despite the ache in her body. “Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Jodie rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath before continuing toward her backpack. Kate followed a moment later, the two women moving stiffly, every motion a reminder of their bruised bodies and sapped energy.
They dressed in silence, the tension between them still palpable but tempered by their mutual exhaustion. As they laced up their shoes, the sound of distant waves reminded them of their proximity to the end of the trail.
Kate finally spoke, her voice softer now. “We should keep moving. If the sea’s that close, there’s probably a beach or a village nearby.”
Jodie nodded reluctantly. “Yeah. Let’s just… get this over with.”
The final stretch of the trail was less grueling, the ground sloping gently downward and the dense jungle thinning out. Neither woman spoke as they trudged along.
When they finally emerged onto a secluded beach, the sight of the turquoise waves lapping against the white sand momentarily lifted the weight of their fatigue.
“Finally,” Jodie muttered, dropping her pack onto the sand and collapsing beside it.
Kate didn’t respond. She simply walked to the water’s edge and stared out at the horizon, the salty breeze cooling her aching body.
After a few minutes, Kate turned back to look at Jodie, who was leaning back on her elbows, her eyes closed.
“Truce?” Kate asked, her voice cutting through the sound of the waves.
Jodie opened one eye and gave a small shrug. “For now.”
Kate chuckled softly, though the sound quickly turned into a wince as her ribs protested. “Good enough.”
But they both knew it was over. They knew that within a short time, they would both look back at it and laugh, thinking this fight was the stupidest thing they ever did.
The end
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