Betty sighed softly as she and Marcus pulled into the camping ground. If she had her way she'd be at home, curled up on the couch and watching something interesting on TV. Camping, hiking and fishing were the pits, as far as she was concerned. Unfortunately Marcus had a jealous streak and didn't want her at home while he went camping for a few days, worried that she might stray.
They checked in at the ranger's cabin, letting them know that they were there, where they would be camping and how long. Also getting some information regarding the various hikes that were available, plus maps and instruction for some of the harder routes.
"Some of these hikes are considered a bit strenuous, sir," the ranger told Marcus. "You'll see that some of the routes are marked in blue with alternate paths in red. The red paths are longer and more difficult, and those who really like a good hike prefer to take them. The blue paths will take those who like a more leisurely approach to hiking to the same destination as the red paths, but they will get you there much faster."
Marcus nodded, showing a touch of scorn for those who'd prefer the easier paths. Betty smiled, intending to study the blue paths carefully. Checking the maps, Marcus queried the meaning of the black paths that were indicated.
"They're not hiking tracks," the ranger informed them. "They're vehicle tracks and restricted to ranger's vehicles. Sometimes we have to get up to the top points of the hiking trails in a hurry."
Thanking the ranger for his assistance, Marcus and Betty returned to their campsite and settled in.
"We'll take the long trail tomorrow to lookout point," announced Marcus with enthusiasm. "It'll be great exercise."
"Especially as you'll have all that extra exercise of carrying me for half the trip," said Betty sweetly. "Don't you think that it might be a good idea for me to take the shorter path? The speed at which I hike means that we'd both probably get to the lookout at the same time."
Marcus frowned, not really willing to have Betty hike by herself, but Betty eventually talked him round.
"I mean, it's not as though I'll be all by myself. I bet a number of wives will take the shorter path."
Marcus conceded the point, acknowledging the weaker sex probably would take the shorter paths. No real man would, of course. They'd all be on the main path, or they wouldn't even have bothered to go hiking.
That evening a couple of the rangers came around, visiting the various camp sites. One of them stopped to chat with Marcus, while the other had a few words with Betty.
"Do you like camping?" he asked.
Betty smiled. "I hate camping, I hate fishing and I hate hiking," she politely informed him. "I'm only here because my husband insists."
The ranger laughed. "And how do you feel about hunting?" he asked.
"I also hate hunting," smiled Betty.
"That's too bad," said the ranger. "I love hunting, but I also like to let my prey know that I'm hunting them."
"Doesn't that scare them away," asked Betty, startled.
"Not really. They're restricted to a certain area and I usually find time to locate and catch them. The reason I'm telling you this is because I've decided that you're my prey for this week. As soon as I catch you alone I'm going to fuck you."
Betty blinked. He hadn't said that, had he?
She looked at the ranger and realised that he had said it and that he meant it. If he could get her alone, she was history. She blushed.
"It's not going to happen. My husband stays by my side all the time," she told him. "And how do you know I won't tell him what you just threatened?"
"Please," said the ranger, "it's not a threat. It's a promise. And you won't tell him because you don't think I'll succeed, even though you're half hoping I will."
"God, you're arrogant," snapped Betty, and turned and left him there.
"What were you discussing so earnestly with that ranger," snapped Marcus after the two rangers had left.
"I was explaining that I hate camping and such, but I come along because you're here," said Betty. "He was telling me he likes to go hunting."
"Well he won't be doing any hunting for a while. Hunting season doesn't start for a few months yet."
"From what he was saying, I don't think his hunting season ever closes."
"Probably not," grumbled Marcus. "Those rangers can get away with anything. Who's going to check up on them?"
The next morning Marcus was up at the crack of dawn. As far as Betty was concerned, rising could wait until the day had not only broken, but the pieces had been swept up and put in the rubbish. Then she might stir.
Unfortunately, Marcus wanted to hike, so like it or not, and she didn't, Betty was soon up and drinking coffee, trying to kick start her nervous system into action.
After breakfast Marcus was ready to go bounding down the trail, eager to reach the lookout. Managing to restrain her enthusiasm for the hike, Betty followed along in his trail until they came to a fork in the trail. At the junction there were a couple of arrows, one red and one blue.
Betty smiled. She may have to hike to the lookout point, but at least she could take it easy and not have to watch Marcus rabbiting ahead and then complaining that she was too slow.
Marcus indicated the sign.
"That reminds me," he said. "The ranger told me last night that if we took the blue trail, there's an unmarked fork in the path about a few hundred yards down the track. Someone pinched the arrow, he said. You have to take the left hand path. The right hand path is a dead end."
Betty nodded.
"I can't just go and wait at the camp?" she asked wistfully.
"Don't be silly, girl. You'll enjoy it. See you at the top."
Sighing, Betty watched him step forth, disappearing up the trail. With a last longing look towards the campsite, she set out along her trail.
It didn't seem all that long and she reached the unmarked fork. Taking the left path, she trudged along, grumbling under her breath.
Then she turned a corner and found herself in a little clearing with no obvious way to continue.
"Fuck Marcus," she thought. "He got the damn directions wrong. I should have taken the other path."
"Right now," said a voice, "you're probably cursing your husband and thinking he gave you the wrong directions."
Betty froze, then looked around. Lounging against a tree was the ranger from the previous night.