Anger provoked an adrenaline rush. I used one of my yoga poses as a fighting stance. One hand on the ground for balance, my body straight and both legs stretched in front and behind me. It was an inverted splits, which knocked over three out of the gang's four members. Not bad, I knew my kicks were devastating!

 

 

          The last guy still standing tried to tackle me. I sat cross-legged after my first move. This position gave me a considerable advantage: an outstanding view of his groin. I gave everything my arms had to offer, stopping his run by striking his lower belly with my hands.

 

 

            I rolled towards the man I'd just deprived of offspring. Among them, he was the only one with a rifle and therefore my best chance of bringing a swift end to the fight.

 

 

          Once I'd retrieved the rifle, I aimed at the guy who'd just shredded my tank top. I thought back over the previous minutes when his gang had assumed they had me. Who was the fool now? The humiliation I'd just suffered could only be appeased in one way: the permanent disposal of these bastards.

 

 

          With them gone, only their bodies remained behind me. I was proud of what I'd accomplished, even if my breasts were now completely exposed. Looking into the distance, I could see a radio antenna at the mountain summit. I had no reason to stick around, the gang didn't have the loot from yesterday's caravan. These raiders truly served no purpose... Except for the rifle.

 

 

            I took the main path to the mountain. It was a wide road with a few wrecked cars. I felt confident about the steep climb, despite having no shoes. The road ranged from gravel to dry soil. Nothing too challenging for a barefoot walker like me!

 

 

            I came to a crossroads where brahmins were drinking water under a tiny shelter. I could either go ahead where the path sloped back down into the jungle, or I could turn left and keep on climbing. I still wanted to give my legs another push and get to the radio tower.

 

 

            As I ascended further, I heard the sound of a waterfall nearby. I had made some good progress and deserved a refreshing break.

 

 

          The waterfall created a small stream. I crouched down and began to drink from it with my hand. The water was so pure, so natural, untouched by radiation. I wanted more, I felt a sudden desire to take a refreshing dip.

 

 

            I stripped off completely. At first the water chilled slightly, but once my whole body was beneath the waterfall, the temperature was just perfect, thanks to the sun. I could have stayed for hours enjoying the wild landscape of ancient Central America. It was definitely the best bath of my life.

 

 

        Being naked in this peaceful place was so pleasant, feeling at one with Mother Nature and closer to her... I rested on some rocks with moss, letting the sun dry my body from the wonderful dip I'd just taken.

 

 

          After a break of an hour or two, I put on my clothes (what was left of them) and set out again on the dirt road towards the mountain summit. I'd gained so much altitude that I could see the marshes from yesterday, even the beach I'd stranded on. I hoped to find some information up there so I could get back to Boston.

 

 

            I had reached the radio tower. The antenna appeared so high up, it could almost touch the sky. The afternoon sun began to hide behind a few clouds. I'd be surprised if I ran into anyone - it was quite a journey to get here!

 

 

          Someone was kind enough to unhinge the radio station's back entrance. I balanced on the door to get in. The place had been abandoned long ago. There were rusty old terminals, a desk with office furniture, some lockers and a chest inside a fenced-in room. Perhaps more interesting stuff awaited me inside...

 

 

          After searching the desk and lockers, both of which were empty, I found the jackpot behind one of these. A bunch of keys that had to open the security door and chest next to me. I was really hoping to find a suitable top, I could feel the cold hitting my nipples.

 

 

          The trunk contained a few odds and ends, but above all, a leather chest top. Made by Ropa Americana, a local store at the mountain's bottom. Thanks to whoever stored this piece here, I intended to put it to good use.

 

 

          Gosh, I loved my new leather top! Plenty of pockets for storage, a shoulder strap and an ammo belt. I'd done a full sweep through the radio station. There was nothing interesting left to find, not even a pair of shoes and there wasn't enough power to restore it. I did, however, identify its source: wind turbines on the plateau above.

 

 

          Dusk was falling softly over Costa Rica. I had reached the mountain peak and wanted to see what lay on the other side. Not that I didn't like the place, but I still wished to be able to return to the United States... Well, what remained of it. 

 

 

            I stood on the cliff's edge. The view was breathtaking, despite the fog from the height I sat at. Trees everywhere, huge rocks on the beach, but above all, the place that caught my eye, a lighthouse. If I had a way of getting back, that's where I'd go. Maybe I'd find a boat, or my own, lost in the ocean.

 

 

          Fatigue began to set in. Fortunately, there was a small camp with tents and pre-war canned goods. I was going to spend the night here, plus I had my own security detail with this brahmin grazing peacefully. Tomorrow I'd head back inland to this lighthouse.

 

 

          The following day, I walked down another side of the mountain. I came to a small crossroads with a few shops, where I saw the Ropa Americana store completely cleaned out. On the next building's roof, I heard a radio and a man complaining in Spanish. I needed some info and hoped to get it from him.

 

 

            I used the ladder to reach the roof. An old man was trying to adjust the telescope lens. He didn't even see me, otherwise he would have asked about my outfit, especially my lack of shoes.
"Hola señor, perdone, ¿habla usted inglés?"
"Hola viajera, no hablo inglés pero mi mujer sí. Tiene un rancho al otro lado del río. Busca una vieja señora con un vestido blanco."
"¡Muy bien, muchas gracias por la ayuda y buena suerte!"

 

 

            I crossed the river and landed above the ranch. It looked like a farm with Brahmins grazing in a cloistered area. I wasn't surprised to see that there were still people who knew how to domesticate animals. From my vantage point, I tried to spot a woman in a white dress - that was my English speaker's description.

 

 

            I toured the ranch, looking for someone. It didn't take me long to find her. The old woman in the white dress was running the ranch, but stopped when she saw me approaching. We both smiled at each other, as if we were already family.
"Hello, I've met your husband. You speak English, don't you?"
"Indeed, my dear, indeed! Come on, let's talk somewhere else."

 

 

END OF PART 2