Race!

They all began ascending as fast as they could. Lauren shot ahead, about ten feet ahead of the others. She grinned, gracefully pulling herself up from handhold to handhold. When she looked down though she saw Beverly was gaining. Beverly's long arms pulled her effortlessly upwards, closing the gap between them. Lauren, startled, increased her speed. She grunted, red faced, closing in towards the top of half dome. To her surprise, Beverly came up alongside her. They were now effectively tied with only fifteen feet more until the top.

Lauren climbed with all her strength. Beverly, with apparently no effort, pulled slightly ahead. Ten feet left. Lauren sprung up another series of handholds. She was now five feet from the top, but Beverly was moments from putting her hand on the ledge and pulling herself over. Oh no, Lauren was NOT going to loose to her!

With a **** cry, Lauren threw herself upwards. Her feet pushed her up and for a moment she wasn't touching the wall, as she leaped, arms outstretched, trying to reach the top before Beverly. It was a bold, risky move... and it failed! Lauren stopped ascending inches from the top, then gravity caught her and she plummeted! Lauren yelped as she fell to the end of her line, which slacked and caught her, leaving her hanging now far below the others.

Lauren watched the others reach the top. First Beverly, then a moment later all the others. Lauren realized her mistake. She'd gone from in the lead, to dead last! If she'd just let Beverly beat her she'd have gotten second and been fine. Now, she was the loser of the bet!