Page 22 of Silent Trail

"Jade?" The woman sounded almost puzzled, as if she was so distracted that she didn't remember who they were talking about.

"Yes. Jade Larson?"

"She's probably in the next room, psyching herself up for the match. The tournament is almost over." She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Keep going, baby girl! You've got her right where you want her!"

"Thanks," Sheila said. Her gaze locked on the doorway of the next room, her thoughts racing. Had Jade seen them and decided to make a run for it? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew she had to make a decision. Go after Jade, or wait for her to come out? She weighed the pros and cons in her mind, her heartbeat quickening with every passing second.

"What are the chances Jade saw us and took off?" Sheila asked Finn.

He frowned, his gaze growing thoughtful. "Let's give it another minute or two."

Sheila didn't particularly like this plan—if Jade had left, a minute or two could very well be the difference between catching her and letting her escape. Finn was the experienced one, however, and she trusted his judgment.

The wrestling match reached its climax as Hailey managed to pin her opponent to the ground. The referee blew his whistle, signaling the end of the match. Hailey caught her breath, her face flushed with victory, and retreated to the edge of the mat to speak with her trainer.

"Attention, everyone!" a voice boomed through the microphone, instantly quieting the chatter in the gymnasium. "We have reached the final match of the tournament. Please welcome back Hailey Robineaux and prepare for Jade Larson!"

Sheila's breathing grew shallow, and she felt the tension in the room rise with each passing moment as she waited to see whether Jade would emerge. The crowd held their breath collectively, their eyes fixed on the same doorway that had captivated her attention.

Seconds passed. Sheila shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Finally, she turned to Finn. "You sure she's gonna show?" she asked.

In answer, Finn pointed. Sheila turned and watched as the door to the gymnasium swung open, and Jade Larson strode into the room. She was a stocky, athletic girl with tightly braided dark hair and a fierce expression set on her face. Her opponent, Hailey Robineaux, was equally muscular, but there was something softer about her features as she waited for Jade to enter the ring.

"Here we go," Sheila murmured under her breath as the two wrestlers faced off in the center of the mat.

"I have to make a confession," Finn said, raising his voice to be heard above the excited crowd.

"What's that?" Sheila asked.

"I really don't know anything about wrestling—not as a sport, I mean. What's it all about?"

"Well," Sheila said, stepping closer to Finn as they watched the match unfold. "Wrestling is about control. It's a physical and mental battle to dominate your opponent and pin them down. To be successful, you need strength, agility, balance, and technique. But you also need to be able to read your opponent, anticipate their moves, and react quickly. It's all about outsmarting and overpowering your opponent."

"Kind of like kickboxing?"

"Similar, but also different," Sheila replied. "In kickboxing, you're trying to knock your opponent out or score points by hitting certain areas of their body. In wrestling, you're trying to control your opponent's body and pin them down for a certain amount of time. It's a more intimate form of combat, in a way."

Finn nodded, his eyes glued to the match.

Jade and Sarah circled each other warily, sizing up their opponent before lunging in to engage. Their movements were fluid and precise as they grappled, each one seeking an advantage over the other. Sheila noticed that Jade's style was particularly aggressive, her muscles tensing as she fought to dominate the match.

"Look at Jade," she said to Finn. "See how she's using her anger to fuel her performance? It's making her unpredictable, which can be both an asset and a liability in a match like this."

Finn nodded, watching intently as Jade managed to take Hailey down with a swift maneuver. It was clear that Jade's rage gave her an edge, but it also seemed to be taking a toll on her. As the match continued, Jade's face grew increasingly flushed and her breathing became more labored.

"Is that normal?" Finn asked, concern evident in his voice as he gestured toward Jade.

Sheila pursed her lips, considering the situation. "It's not uncommon for a wrestler to get worked up during a match, but Jade's anger seems… excessive. It's almost as if she's fighting something other than just Hailey."

The tension in the gymnasium thickened as Jade and Sarah continued their battle on the wrestling mat. Their muscles strained, limbs entwined, as they fought for control. Finn leaned in closer to Sheila, his eyes locked on the match.

"You miss it?" Finn asked. "Kickboxing? Or does police work scratch that itch?"

"Both, in a way," she said. "I miss kickboxing, the rush of it, the adrenaline. But I also love what I do now, the sense of purpose it gives me. And it's not like I can't still train and spar, you know?"

As the match wore on, Jade managed to gain the upper hand. She wrapped her arms around Hailey's waist and executed a powerful takedown, sending her opponent crashing to the mat. The crowd gasped as Jade swiftly transitioned into a pinning position, her legs hooked around Hailey's thighs to immobilize her.

"Jade's got her now," Sheila murmured, her heart pounding in anticipation. "She just needs to hold this position for the count."

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