Perfect School

Jonah:

“It wont be thirty miles of carrying. You'll have to do your part too. I think the course cuts across that lake we found, and there will be other terrain that I will need my balance for I'm sure.” I told her as I began to stretch.

I frowned for a moment then straightened up from a stretch. "I'll follow your lead Jonah." I replied after a moments decision. After yesterday, some small measure of me wanted to appease him and an even smaller part deep inside wanted to please as well. As we were called over and stepped beyond. the dividing wall so we wouldn't be seen by anyone else for our start I turned to him. "How would you like to carry me?"

Jonah:

“Ever had a piggy-back ride?” I asked with an amused smile before getting to my knees inn front of her and waiting for her to mount.

Incredulity broke her emotionless mask as she stared at Jonah. She could only blink until slowly she moved and climbed up onto his back, arms wrapping loosely around his neck. Her expression faded away as Kira glanced at him fro mthe corner of her eyes. "I'm ready..."

Jonah:

For many miles it was flat, and I kept up a good pace with Kira on my back. I judged about a quarter through the course when I had to let her down. It wasn't the lake but a muddy swamp. “Lovey.” I commented, the sun was beginning to warm up, and the mud, rather than cooling, was warm and clingy.

I was almost grateful to be set down, being carried piggyback for so long not the most comfortable position. I stretched my legs out as I looked over the swamp. "Miserable. But we might be able to find a path. The plants are on the most solid ground."

Jonah:

“By all means, lead the way.” I gestured ahead of us, letting her go first. It was best that the lighter person went first, if she found a sink hole it would be easier for me to pull her out than her me.

I looked over the swamp carefully, trying to pick a path. It would be a miserable slog no matter what but it mattered how miserable it was to be. Plants grew on the densest bit of mud, but that didn't mean those bits were stable platforms one could walk on. Slowly then I stepped forward, testing every foot before placing my weight on it. I made it about a hundred yards before my testing failed me and my booted foot sank nearly to the knee in mud and muck.

Jonah:

I grabbed her elbow the instant her foot sank, then finding a stable footing I supported her with both my hands. “Can you pull it out?” I asked her, holding her so she couldn't sink further.

I grunted affermation and with a wet sound I pulled my foot free. I could feel the muck oozing it's way into my boot and I sighed. "Let's move on." I stepped over the misplaced hole and carefully made my way forward again. I wondered then, just how many competetors would be losing shoes or boots within the sucking swamp, as I'd have lost mine if Jonah hadn't caught me in time.

Jonah:

We were nearing the lake when I mis-steped and went down. There was no place to catch myself, my hand sunk into the much followed my the rest of my body. A ripe mouthful of slime and mud gagged me before I could right myself.

I heard him go down and I turned immedietly to where I could see his form submerged. "Jonah!" I called, nearly rushing to his side. I stilled myself though and traced my steps back to crouch in the much, arm extended towards him. "Jonah, take my hand."

Jonah:

I spat up the gunck and wiped my face. I took her hand and with her help I got back to my feet. I bent over then, with my hands on my knees and coughed up more gunck, my lungs burning.

While he was bent over and coughing up the gunk and muck of the swamp I had began working on freeing his body of the much while I still could. It would only grow heavier as it dried, and impede his movements. And so heedless of where my hands touched I did what I could to scrape it off and let it plop back into the swamp below.

Jonah:

I cleared my lungs as best I could then squinted at Kira, “Thanks,” I ran my hands though my matted hair and wrung it out as bed I could. “It shouldn't be much longer until the lake.” I gestured again for her to take the lead, more careful of where I placed my feet this time.

I gave him a once over then nodded, taking the lead again through the swamp. The safe places to step grew sparser the farther we went before ending for a stretch of ankle deep mud that we just had to slog through. After that land found our feet again, and the lake was in sight before I knew it.

Jonah:

The sun and wind dried the mud to my body rather quickly, causing uncomfortable chafing. The lake would be a wonderful refreshment, and I couldn't get there fast enough.

I kept moving one foot in front of the other as soon as I spotted the lake, though I waited for him at the edge before I stepped inside. "We need to get the mud off you. It'll get heavier before it dissolves in the water."

Jonah:

Despite my uncomfortable I grinned at Kira. “Is that your way of offering to bathe me?” I asking with a wiggle of my eyebrows and a suggestive smile.

I stared at him. Was he really flirting with me? Now of all times? Slowly shaking my head I pointed at the water. "Take off your shirt and give it to me. You can work off the mud covering the rest of you."

Jonah:

I chuckled. “As you wish.” I removed my slimy shirt and tossed it to her then dove under the cool water scrubbing at the rest of my body rapidly.

I took her shirt and after tugging off my muck filled boots I began to clean them all out. His shirt and the boot that had sunk into the swamp were the hardest to work free of mud and slime. But as the gunk spread out around me in a growing circle I soon had them as clean as I could in the shortest amount of time.

Jonah:

After the lake we had many miles to go, I carried Kira when I could, and he had few slip up's until the end. At the end of the course I laid down on the clean grass, very close to the end of my limit, as I waited for the judges to dismiss us.

My limbs were shaking faintly themselves as we finished the run. I sat and massaged my legs, shirt tight to my body with sweat. I wanted nothing more than to nap, but I couldn't until we got back and that would only matter should I get Jonah back as well. But for now I wanted to rest....

Jonah:

I turned my face to her. “On the way back to the cabin it will be your turn to givve me a piggy back ride.” I joked, with a tired smile.