The Enhanced

Chapter Thirty Two

It was a large mountain, without question. At a slow pace, it might take up to an hour to get to the top, but I expected we'd do it in a quarter of that time. Or at least I would.

Aiden was already significantly ahead of me, only barely on the mountain yet, facing a non-existent incline. Every minute, he'd steal a glance behind him and his face would be all the more smug when he realised the distance between us.

I was at a light jog, my breathing was even and controlled and my body was obeying my every command. I was concentrating on assessing the terrain first, we had not entailed any rules but it seemed clear that I would have to go up this side of the hill.

There were trees in some places and obvious paths in others that could be seen even from down in my position. Aiden didn't seem to care what route he took, he was just going straight, there was some logic to that.

But, there were definite obstacle straight ahead, there was one path and it seemed dangerous and steep in places. Eventually, Aiden disappears as he runs into the bushes, and I veer off to the left where there were less trees and a more defined, safe looking path.

The incline becomes steep almost immediately and I have to push myself to keep myself upright and ensure that I keep running, retaining my momentum.

I could see that that the ground would even out further on, I just had to perservere through the difficulty. And soon, the ground gave way and I was easily jogging up the path, passing tress and shrubs on my way.

I take my time and survey my surroundings, searching for Aiden on my right. I see movement slightly below me and sure enough he materialises from behind a tree, looking red and very tired.

Feeling cocky and decidedly mean, I push on into a sprint and push my body to the limit as I throw myself forward, the wind whistles past my ears and the trees pass by at a frightening speed.

The top of the mountain comes into view and I leap and bound towards it, jumping several feet in the air and falling with great weight. I reach the top and saunter over to my right to meet Aiden who was still significantly low on the mountain.

I take the chance to have moment to myself, the experience reminded me of exercise I used to do as a child. They would put sticky pads onto my body and make me run on a treadmill, only as a child I needed to be interested in the activity, so they would cast images of the countryside and wide open nature, except there was no wind or sunlight, only me in a box on a machine.

I lie down and close my eyes, breathing in all the clean oxygen through my lungs and into my cells. Eventually, I hear Aiden stumble next to me and fall onto the small patch of grass beside me, he throws his backpack off and takes up the same position as his rugged breathing evens out and he calms down.

He doesn't seem suspicious of how I got here so fast, or even jealous or angry that I won. He doesn't speak at all for a very long while. He pulls out a twenty dollar bill and throws it onto my stomach, I smile at him and stretch before yawning.

"I think I might fall asleep here," I remark, looking up at the sun.

He laughs. "Can if you want. I'll wake you when the food is ready," he reassures me.

I smile at him as he passes me a red blanket to lie on, I take it and roll over get comfortable and sleep comes easily under the hot sun.

Aiden woke me up when the food was ready, I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep for, the sun had barely moved. I felt rested but stiff and have to stretch my legs before sitting down to eat.

I hear a click and turn my attention to the sound, Aiden was holding a camera in his hand, he gives an embarassed look before getting to his feet and taking an array of photos of the various flora and fauna in the area, while I watch and eat.