"Balancing Act" by Big T. (f/f, qs) After several long months of doing nothing but train for meets, do exhibitions, appearing at fundraisers, clinics and camps for gymnastics, several well known and very famous members of the Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team, from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, decided it was time to rest and relax. They were currently driving down to the beach in sunny Key West Florida, and had just crossed over from Georgia into Florida. They were talking and enjoying the passing scenic countryside, just outside the car windows ... tall cypress trees, sawgrass, and the pools of blackwater that is common in the area. A large alligator slides off the grassy bank into the water as they pass by. "Hey, guys, you see that big alligator that was on the roadside back there?" asks Monica with her trademark perkiness. "Yeah, he was huge. I'm glad we're in here and not out there," replies Kara. "Really, I'd hate to be his lunch!" quips Mandy. "I still say we should've stuck to the interstate. There's nothing out here but swamps and more swamps," Jodie remarks. "Oh Jo, you worry too much girl," Shawna says, calling Jodie by her nickname, then adds, "It's beautiful out here on this scenic country road." Then Mandy chimes in with, "Besides this road is a major secondary road, according to the map. And it runs all the way down to Jacksonville, and rejoins the highway there. So don't worry." Jodie sighed deeply, still somewhat unassured and commented, "If you say so." Kara sensed this and says, "Look at it this way, soon we'll be relaxing on a sunny tropical beach. We'll have the warm sun on our faces, the sea breeze in our hair, waves lapping our toes, ice cold tropical drinks in hand, and /tons/ of cute guys walking the beach." Jodie smiles and sighs again, and says, "You're right. Come on guys, let's do this." "That's the spirit!" quips Shawna. They drive on a while when they notice the road has changed from asphalt to gravel, but remains a two lane road, as cars still pass the other direction. "I wonder why the road changed?" asks Mandy. "Not sure," replies Shawna, "But we still have oncoming traffic, so I wouldn't worry about it." "True," adds Mandy. Soon though, as they continue on the road slowly reduces the oncoming cars, to few and far between. It also narrows gradually to almost one lane, as it goes from gravel to dirt. "We've not seen a car for the past twenty minutes," says Monica. "That is odd," says Kara. "Maybe we missed a turn somewhere back up the road," adds Mandy. "It's possible guys," Jodie chimes in. "Let's turn around and head back to that gas station we passed, Shanwna," comments Monica. "Good idea Mon, we can get directions there," Shawna answers. But as Shawna applies the brakes to stop and turn around, the right front tire blows startling them, as it makes the car swerve a little in the road. However, Shawna, known for keeping a cool head, stops their SUV safely. She then asks, "Is everyone okay?" "Yeah, we're alright," answers Mandy. "What happened?" asks Jodie. Kara answers, "I think we had a blowout." Monica adds, "Let's take a look." They get out and look at the tire. "Darn, I knew something like this would happen!" says Jodie. Kara then adds regretfully, "The cell phone won't work, we must be in a dead zone." "Great, what now guys?" questions Monica. Shawna says, "Best I can think of now, is to hike back to the gas station and get a tow truck to come out, to get the car." Jodie interrupts, "Shawna, that's ten miles up the road. We'd never make it there before they close." "Yeah you're right, Jo ... Hmm ..." Shawna ponders. Mandy then comments, "Let's head back that way at least till the traffic starts to thicken. Then get someone to call a tow for us." "I believe Mandy has the best option," says Jodie. "Let's do it!" replies Shawna. They walk back the way they came, hoping to find help. "We'd better hurry, it's starting to get late," says Monica. "The sun will be down soon," adds Kara. "Yeah, and we don't want to be out here after dark," replies Mandy. "But we've still not found anyone," answers Shawna. Then Jodie sees an outside yard light through some trees in the distance, off the roadside and comments, "Hey guys look, I bet that's a house. We could call for help there." "You may be right girl," says Kara. "Go through there?!" exclaims Monica. "We don't know what's in those woods!" Mandy replies, "We don't really have a choice." "You're right, let's go," says Shawna. "Good thing we brought the flashlight," adds Monica. The five stranded girls make their way into the woods, their flashlight shining brightly. Although it was still daylight for a little while, they were not taking any chances. "These woods and swamps seem to go on forever!" says Mandy who is in front, followed by Jodie, Shawna and Kara, with Monica in tow. "I know, they're enormous," quips Jodie. "Everyone stick together guys, we don't want to get separated out here," emphasizes Shawna. "Really, no telling what's out here," says Kara. "Everyone keep your eyes open, and watch your step," adds Monica. Soon, they come to a wide, sandy streambed, where a tree has fallen across to the other side. "Looks like we cross here. We can walk across on that tree trunk," Shawna says. Jodie replies, "You sure it'll hold us?" "It looks strong enough," Mandy notes as she tests it out, then adds, "It's solid, come on guys." Kara cautiously remarks, "I don't know ..." "You mean to tell me, you can do all the tricks we do on the beam, and you're worried about this? This is a simple balancing act," Mandy says. "Come on, this is nothing Kara," chimes Monica. "You're right," Kara says. They start across the tree, one behind the other, no more than a step or two apart. They get a little more than halfway, when Shawna's foot hits a slick patch of wet moss, throwing her off balance as her foot slips off the side of the tree. She grabs onto Jodie's arm as she goes off the side of the tree. Jodie grabs Mandy as Shawna takes Jodie with her, and Mandy follows along, all three screaming. Kara and Monica watch helplessly in shock, as their friends fall feet first, to the sandy streambed a few feet below. Their feet penetrate the wet sand as they land, their legs sink in to knee level. Kara then asks, "Are you guys okay down there?" Jodie looks down at her legs then at her two trapped friends. "We're alright guys, just stuck in this mud!" she says. Then Shawna notices a weird feeling, and points out, "Uh, Jo ... this isn't mud." In horror they all realize what Shawna means, as Monica notices also, her three friends are slowly sinking. Kara sees it too, as she says, "Oh no!" Now at upper thigh level Mandy looks at Jodie and explains, "Shawna's right Jo ... we're standing in ..." Both she, Jodie, and Shawna exclaim, "Quicksand!" Monica says, "Hang on guys! Kara and I will find something to get you out with!" "Right, come on Mon!" Kara agrees. "Hurry you two, we're sinking faster!" Jodie shouts. Kara and Monica soon return, with a length of strong vine to rescue their sinking teammates, who are now waist deep in the quicksand's deadly pull. "Okay guys get us outta here!" says Shawna. "Here ... catch!" exclaims Kara, as she throws one end of the vine to her friends, who grab on. "C'mon Mon, help me pull!" says Kara. But as they make their first rescue attempt, the quicksand holds their comrades fast, and unyielding. "Pull Kara, pull!" encourages Monica. "I ... am ... Mon," replies Kara, pulling with all the strength and might, that the countless hours of gymnastics training has given her. Her well toned and powerful muscles, straining with all they possess. All of a sudden, her footing gives way, and both she and Monica slip off the fallen tree, to join their friends, landing up to their waists as well. "Oh great! Now we're stuck too!" says Monica. Jodie worriedly asks, "What do we do now girls?" Shawna looks at Kara and Monica asking, "You two okay?" "Oh, you mean aside from us, about to meet a gritty, suffocating death in this quicksand pit, with no chance of rescue? Yeah, sure, we're doing /great!/" Monica answers sarcastically. Kara reprimands her by replying, "Can the smart mouth, Mon. We gotta think of a way out of here." "Kara's right, let's concentrate on getting our butts outta this mess," says Jodie. As the five girls sink in to chest level, they look around for a way out. "What about if we make a noose in one end of the vine you two found, and try to catch it on something?" asks Mandy. "It's not long enough for that," replies Shawna. "Well ... you got a better idea?" argues Jodie. "I hate to admit it guys, but I think we're sunk, this time ... literally!" Mandy quips. Jodie gives her a perturbed look and replies, "Not funny!" The sand has pulled them down almost to their shoulders, when Shawna comments fearfully, "We don't have time for bickering. We gotta do something, fast ... or we're dead!" "Shawna's right, there's not much further ... we can afford to go," Monica remarks, adding, "Think, you guys!" As the sand covers their shoulders, their moods turn from very worried to very frightened. Then out of desperation and fear, Monica breaks down and screams for help at the top of her lungs. "HELP! God, please ... somebody! HELP!" "That won't do any good out here Mon," says Kara. "I can't help but feel the way she does though, Kara," Shawna says. "I know. I don't want us to go out like this either. But what can we do?" Kara replies as her chin touches the surface. But then, a look of surprise sweeps across Mandy's face, followed by a little smile as she sees something. "What the heck are you grinning at Mandy?" asks Shawna. Then, they here a familiar voice from solid ground. "She's grinning at me." They turn to look where the voice came from, and they see ... "Travis! Oh ... thank heaven!" exclaims Monica, smiling, as tears of relief run down her cheeks. Travis takes a long rope from off his shoulder and uncoils it, as Jodie shouts happily, "Boy, are we /glad/ to see /you!/" "Hurry, get us outta here!" Kara says. "Grab on, and I'll have you girls on solid ground in a few seconds!" Travis says as he throws them one end of the rope. "Grab on guys, we're /outta/ here!" Mandy exclaims. "It's about time!" adds Jodie. Travis soon pulls them to solid ground, where they all hug him for the last minute rescue. "You girls okay?" Travis asks. "We're fine now, thank you Travis," Shawna answers. "Yeah, we're okay," Monica comments smiling. "Yeah, thanks," Kara, Mandy and Jodie chime in. "But I got one question ... How on earth, did you find us, way out here?" questions Shawna. Travis smiles as he replies, "I'll explain later, although Mon did /help/ some ..." Monica smiles modestly as she looks at Kara, who just laughs as Travis adds, "Right now, let's get out of here!" "You said it!" Mandy agrees. "Yeah!" chime in the other girls. Then, they make their way out of the swamp, back to the road where Travis's car is parked. They head back to their broken down SUV, Where Travis changes the tire, and they are once again on their way to a tropical Key West vacation.