Nichole has fallen

Desperate to end her ordeal, Riana planted her foot, taking a risk on a patch of loose rock. She was exhausted all she longed for was to return to camp and have Sila drive her home. But then…, she slipped, sliding downwards with a sickening lurch. She frantically searched for something to grab anything to save her from falling further. The rope finally got hooked, biting into her harness.

Pain exploded in her left shoulder, a searing fire that stole her breath. Blood blossomed staining the rock red. Panting and swaying in the wind, Riana closed her eyes against a wave of nausea. The mountain proved to be a very hard challenge, she has never experienced anything like it. When one looks at this mountain, it looked like just any ordinary mountain. But it was way different it was smooth on the surface and as you climb the rocks crack and chip. Riana could feel the biting wind blowing at her ponytail drying the sweat from her whole body.

That’s when she really felt it… a warm hum that wasn’t from the wind. It was something deeper, something that resonated inside her. It started to pulse upward, almost like a siren's call coming from deep within the mountain. It felt both inviting and a little scary, as if something was out there waiting for her, urging her to set it free.

Meanwhile, the wind kept whipping around her, biting at her exposed skin like an artist shaping stone. Every time the wind picked up, it felt like it was yanking at her harness, reminding her just how dangerous her situation really was. The jagged rock scraped against her already sore fingers as she tried to hold on tighter, and her shoulder throbbed like a dull ache that just wouldn't quit. Riana could see the red drops staining the grey stone below her, each one a sign of how tired she was getting. She could feel my breath catch in her throat, a shaky gasp cutting through the chilly air. Everything around her started to swirl, the jagged outlines of the mountain seemed to fade into this confusing mix of rock and sky.

Just then, something shiny up above caught her attention. She spotted a figure against the stark backdrop of the summit, and her heart sank. It was a shape she recognized all too well.

Riana puffed her cheeks in frustration. It was Nicole.

In all and mostly every expedition Riana took, Nicole would be there trying to outshine her. But Riana had more experience then her and she had a very experienced team too, unlike Nicole who preferred to work alone. Even from this distance, Riana could sense the other woman's predatory nature.

Even from where she was standing, Riana could just feel that the other woman had this really intense, almost predatory vibe. Then, out of nowhere, a voice cut through the wind, sharp and hostile. "Riana?" "Is that you just hanging there?" There was a nasty little thrill in her voice, like she’d finally won some long-fought battle. Riana stayed quiet, biting down hard to push through the pain and ignore the intrusion. She refused to give Nicole the satisfaction of a reply, she wasn’t about to let her see how much pain she was in.

Nicole inched closer to the edge, looking down with a curious spark in her eyes.

Riana could hear a soft chuckle being carried by the breeze. “Well, well,” she said, her voice playful and intrigued. "Look who decided to show up. Looks like the amazing Riana has finally found someone who's a challenge."

The words, though expected, still stung. Riana focused on the rough texture of the rock beneath her fingers, trying to ignore the taunt. Her silence only seemed to embolden Nicole. Riana couldn’t help but feel the rough rock under her fingers, trying to tune out Nicole's jab. But instead of backing off, Nicole just got bolder. “Lost your touch, have you?” she said, her voice oozing with a fake sympathy that stung way more than any direct insult ever could. "Hey Riana, maybe it’s time to step back a bit and let the younger folks take charge. We definitely don’t want you ending up as just another mark on the mountainside, right?" Riana's knuckles turned white as she tightened her grip. Retirement? Just thinking about it made her stomach turn. This was not how she would end her story, her adventures.

Nicole shifted, blocking the weak sunlight. "I'll be going now. Wouldn't want to wait for your old bones. The summit awaits, and unlike some, I intend to reach it." She paused deliberately, delivering a final jab. "Enjoy the view from down there."

Then, with a fluid grace that seemed to be just to show off her skills to the more experience rival who was not so good at climbing, Nicole turned and began her climb, her movements confident and guaranteed against the unforgiving rock.

Riana watched her go, a cold irritation replacing the initial discomfort she was feeling a few minutes ago. Nicole's words, which were meant to hurt her, had instead set on fire of a stubborn resilience. She would not be left behind. Not like this. Not after being called old, shi was only thirty for Gods sake!

Slowly and painstakingly, Riana began to climb, following the route Nicole had taken. Her injured shoulder cried out in protest with every movement. Each handhold, each foothold, was a victory hard-won. The pain was a constant wake up call for her, urging her to , but it also served as a grim reminder of her precarious situation, fueling her determination.

Hours crawled by. The light began to fade, casting long, eerie shadows across the mountainside. Riana's body ached with exhaustion, her muscles screaming for respite. But the sight of Nicole, a dark silhouette against the darkening sky, spurred her onward.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Riana was nearing the top. She could hear the crunch of Nicole's boots on the loose scree above. Just a few more meters.

Then, a sharp cry ripped through the stillness, a sound of pure, unadulterated terror.

Instinct took over. Ignoring the searing pain in her shoulder, Riana hauled herself upward, her gaze fixed on the source of the scream.

What she saw sent a shockwave of disbelief through her already battered senses. Nicole was gone. Only her climbing rope, taut and swaying gently in the breeze, remained anchored to the rock above. Below, the unforgiving drop yawned into the twilight.

Riana scrambled to the edge, her heart beating so fast in her chest from all the adrenaline and fear. She peered down, her eyes straining in the fading light. For a horrifying moment, there was nothing, then a dark shape against the grey rocks far below. Unmoving.

Nicole had fallen.