14. Jess

14

JESS

T he crisp morning air bit at Jess' exposed arms as she stood with the other contestants, facing Roger. He clapped his hands, the sound echoing through the training field.

"Alright, teams! Let's give yourselves a round of applause! You've all come a long way, and the progress has been phenomenal."

A smattering of applause followed.

Jess internally rolled her eyes. Roger's motivational speeches were starting to grate on her nerves. However, she couldn't deny she felt proud when he specifically mentioned her and Jamie's great coaching.

Roger cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "But, let's be honest, some of you are here for the win, not the group hugs. So, with that in mind, the collaboration experiment is officially over."

"In this final phase, we're going back to full-blown competition!"

"This next challenge is a mental marathon. A test of strategy, memory, and pure grit. This is a no-pity zone. Do whatever you can to win, as long as it stays within the rules."

Jess' competitive spirit ignited. This was her domain, the arena where she thrived. A mental challenge? Bring it on. She wasn't sure what Roger had planned, but one thing was certain—today, it was every woman for herself.

Today, she'd prove to everyone, including Jamie, that she wasn't just a drill sergeant with a sharp tongue. Today, she was a force to be reckoned with.

Roger continued, "Here's how today's challenge will work. Each team will be led by their coach, and I'll provide a starting clue that will point you towards a specific location in the rainforest."

Silence.

"Once you reach the designated spot, you'll need to search for a hidden container holding the next clue. This could involve some physical challenges, like scaling a small rock face or navigating a dense thicket."

A murmur of apprehension went through the team. Jess, however, felt excited. A little physical exertion wouldn't deter her. In fact, it might even give her an edge over some of the more… fitness-averse contestants.

"The next clue will be another riddle, leading you to the next hidden container and so on. This will continue until you reach the final location and discover the treasure chest containing a prize that will give you a significant advantage in the competition."

They gasped. The stakes were suddenly higher, the pressure amplified. This was about gaining a crucial edge in the competition.

"But wait, there's more! To add a layer of delicious chaos, we've hidden a limited number of wild card clues throughout the course."

"Finding a wild card clue, might grant you a small advantage, like skipping a particularly tricky physical challenge."

The prospect of bypassing a grueling obstacle was appealing. Jess envisioned herself confidently leading her team past a daunting rock face and the image brought a triumphant smirk to her lips.

"However, there's also a chance you might encounter a roadblock. They are physical challenges that only one team member can complete on behalf of the team. This means you'll need to strategize and decide who's best suited for that obstacle."

Finally, Roger laid out the ultimate prize. "The first team to find the treasure chest within one hour wins it all. There are actually two different paths that lead to the chest, so the first team to get there and snag it will be crowned the champions! So, are you ready to test your knowledge, your courage, and your teamwork? Let the treasure hunt begin!"

The thrill of the competition was palpable. Jess met Jamie's gaze across the room, a silent challenge passing between them. This was it. Time to outwit, outmaneuver, and outlast. The game was on.

Jess ripped open the envelope containing their first clue. The riddle, scrawled in elegant script, read: Where the mighty river meets the salty spray, whispers of legends point the way .

Jess, with her knowledge of Costa Rica gleaned from travel shows and documentaries, immediately recognized the key elements of the riddle. The "mighty river" most likely referred to the Rio Grande, a prominent landmark in the area.

The "whispers of legends" was a trickier one. It could either be a specific beach known for its calmness or a more metaphorical reference to a secluded cove. They debated several possibilities. Could it refer to specific landmarks near the cove? Or perhaps statues or sculptures?

Finally, one of them remembered a local legend she had heard about three guardian spirits who protected a hidden path near the mouth of the Rio Grande.

Putting the pieces together, Jess concluded that the hidden path must be located near a secluded cove, guarded in some way by the location of specific landmarks or natural features.

With this hypothesis in mind, they raced towards the Rio Grande, eager to test their theory.

Their path was far from easy. A treacherous rock face, slick with morning dew, forced them to work together, their bodies forming a human chain to help each other navigate the climb. Emerging scratched and breathless, they plunged into the dense jungle, following a barely discernible trail.

Then, just as doubt began to creep in, they emerged into a clearing bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. The Rio Grande, a majestic serpent of jade green, snaked its way towards the turquoise embrace of the ocean.

Following the shoreline, they spotted a weathered signpost, half-buried in the sand. Beneath a layer of peeling paint, they discovered a small, weather-beaten box. Inside lay the next clue: Through tangled vines and hidden doors, the secrets of the ancients roar .

This clue sent them scrambling into the undergrowth, their path blocked by a thicket of thorny vines. With gritted teeth and determined shouts, they hacked their way through, emerging into a hidden cavern adorned with ancient petroglyphs.

Another box, cleverly camouflaged against the rock wall, held the final clue: Where the sun meets the earth, victory awaits its rightful birth.

Time was ticking. With a renewed sense of urgency, they raced towards a nearby hill, their lungs burning with exertion. Reaching the summit, they were met with a breathtaking panorama—the sprawling landscape bathed in the golden glow of the mid-morning sun.

But where was the chest? Panic threatened to rise, but then Jess spotted it—a shine of metal half-buried beneath a lone kapok tree. She retrieved the final clue: a simple set of coordinates.

But there was a catch. A steep, crumbling cliff face separated them from the treasure.

A tense silence descended upon the group. This was a roadblock, a challenge that only one member could overcome. All eyes turned to Diego, their strongest climber.

His muscular frame, honed by years of mountain climbing, seemed custom-built for this obstacle—a sheer cliff face, its base shrouded in mist. The only way to access the treasure nestled on a rocky ledge halfway down was a precarious rope ladder, swaying gently in the afternoon breeze.

Diego stepped forward, his face a mask of steely determination.

Lunging forward, Jess grabbed Diego's arm before he could descend. "Diego, this is it. We've come this far, but remember, teamwork wins the game."

Her voice dropped even lower, almost conspiratorially. "Jamie told me the Zen Warrior secrets. Once you get to the cave down the cliffside, if you run into any of them, get in their way. Make them feel like there's not enough room for you both. Just trust me. We'll use their most secret fears to crush them."

Diego's eyes widened in surprise. Inside information about the other team was unexpected but welcome; he'd take any advantage he could get.

With a deep breath and a silent prayer, Diego secured his harness. The click of the carabiners echoed in the deafening silence as he edged towards the cliff's edge. The wind whipped at his face as he began his descent, a solitary figure dwarfed by the immensity of the rock face.

Minutes stretched into an eternity. Each gust of wind carried the sound of crashing waves, a chilling reminder of the danger below. Jess watched, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Doubt gnawed at the edges of her confidence. Had she made the right call? Was using Jamie's secrets a fair tactic?

Just as despair threatened to consume them, a movement caught Jess' eye. A flicker of movement on the cliff face. Diego. He was ascending, a dark silhouette against the sun-drenched sky.

Relief washed over the team, a collective exhale of pent-up tension escaping their lips.

With a triumphant grin plastered across his face, Diego held aloft the weathered wooden chest.

They roared! They had done it! They had beaten the clock, outsmarted the competition, and conquered every obstacle in their path.

The clock ticked down the final seconds as they scrambled back down the hill, their hearts pounding in their chests. With five minutes to spare, they burst back onto the beach, the coveted chest clutched firmly in Diego's hand.

The beach, once a shared haven, now felt desolate, a reflection of the turmoil within her as the moonlight shone. Diego's successful retrieval of the chest, their team's triumphant cheers—everything seemed muted, overshadowed by the betrayal that ate at her conscience.

A rustle in the nearby dunes caught her attention. Spinning around, she saw Jamie walking towards her.

A hesitant smile stretched across Jess' face, only to falter as Jamie's expression wore a mask of fury.

She knew, with a sickening certainty, why. She'd glimpsed the devastation on Jamie's face moments after her team's loss. Now, she was here to unleash her anger. Fair and square.

As Jamie closed the distance with each forceful stride, she landed a vicious slap against Jess' cheek, leaving a burning imprint and a raw shock in its wake.

Another slap followed, quicker this time. Jess stumbled backwards, the sand cushioning her fall, the sting on her face overshadowed by the far deeper pain in her heart.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the image of the furious woman towering before her.

"How could you?" Jamie's voice, raw with emotion, cut through the roar of the ocean. "We were supposed to be partners. We were supposed to be..." Her voice trailed off, choked with a sob she tried desperately to suppress.

The weight of Jamie's words hit Jess like a physical blow. Shame burned hotter than the sting on her cheek. "Jamie, I..." Words seemed to fail her.

How could she explain the desperate gamble, the fear of losing, the intoxicating taste of victory that had blinded her to the cost?

"I messed up. I betrayed your trust and I'm so, so sorry," she pleaded.

"You used my trust. We shared something real, something special, and you threw it away for a stupid competition."

"Jamie, I..." she stammered, her voice barely a croak, "I didn't think it through."

Jamie scoffed, a harsh, disbelieving sound. "Liar! There's no way you just blurted all that out to Diego in a few seconds. You must've been feeding your team information all week, just in case an opportunity came, haven't you?"

"No, it wasn't like that."

Jamie let out a harsh laugh, devoid of humor. "Don't even try, Jess. I told you every doubt, every fear my team confided in me. You knew about Maya's claustrophobia, and you told it to Diego knowing she was my best choice at any moment. And you used it all against us!"

"During the cave challenge, Diego, with your intel, knew exactly what to do. He kept hovering around Maya, purposely brushing past her, talking loudly, making himself a large, imposing presence in the narrow passage. She couldn't think straight. She was trapped, suffocating. We lost precious time because of you, Jess!"

"I'm sorry—" she began, but Jamie cut her off again, her voice thick with anguish.

"Don't you dare say you're sorry!" Jamie screamed, her voice breaking. "This isn't about a simple apology. You destroyed everything! You used my trust, our connection, to win a stupid competition! My team hates me now, Jess! They think I betrayed them, that I spilled all their secrets. And you know what? I blame myself for being such a fool!"

Her voice hitched, raw with emotion. "Love must have blinded me. I regret ever falling for you, Jess. This… this secret romance has ruined everything."

The words struck Jess like a physical blow.

"Jamie, wait," Jess pleaded, her voice trembling.

"There's nothing left to say. I hate you, Jess. And I will never forgive you for this."

A raw edge crept into Jess' voice as she snapped. "Jamie, come on! This was a competition! Did you expect me to just hand you the win? If you were so worried about your team's weaknesses, you shouldn't have confided in me!" Her voice shook slightly, a tremor of guilt battling with the need to justify her actions.

Jamie recoiled as if slapped, her eyes widening in shock. "This is the real you, Jess. I was a fool to think you'd actually changed."

"You can call me whatever you want, but I've never been one to back down from a challenge. No matter what."

Jamie scoffed, a humorless sound. "So, all that love was just a way to find a weakness? A way to gain an advantage?"

Jess' heart pounded against her ribs. "No, that's not true! I…" she stammered, searching for the right words. "I really cared about you, Jamie. I still do."

But the damage was done. Jamie's face contorted with a mix of anger and hurt. "To hell with your love, Jess!" she roared. "You're nothing but a manipulator! And since your precious team won, you can shove those rewards down your throat!"

With that, Jamie turned on her heel and stormed off, her silhouette disappearing into the gathering darkness.

Tears welled up in Jess' eyes, blurring the already fading light.

She had won the competition, but at what cost?

She had clawed her way to the top, but in the process, she had lost something far more valuable—the love and trust of the person who meant the most to her.