Natalia took in a deep breath, exhaling before a smile spread across her face. For the 43 year old anthropologist this was truely an exciting experience.
"Smell that air ladies," she smiled. "It smells like adventure."
Natalia's companions couldn't help but chuckle, shaking their heads at their colleagues exclamation. Yes it was cheesy but it was part of Natalia's charm.
For the three anthropologist, investigating untouched land was a bit of a specialty. Friends since their college days, the three women had made a habit if being some of the best in their field. From mapping the locations of lost tribes to exploring the jungles of Africa, they had done it all.
Still, they had to admit, they were beginning to get a bit old. After celebrating their 43rd birthdays the three women began to see they were slowing down. Crows feet, grey hairs, and the aches and pains that accompanied their active lifestyle. Despite being the envy of their colleagues, all three women were beginning to realize that perhaps it was time to pursue a more academic position.
"I swear Nattie," Dorothy chuckled. "I don't know know where you get your energy from. I'm already tired and we just got here."
Natalia now turned, a broad smile on her face as she beamed at her friends she had known for over 20 years. "Oh come off it Dorothy," she smirked. "If I recall we were the ones that had to hold you back."
"When we were in our twenties maybe," Dorothy replied. "And back when I hadn't torn my ACL."
"Actually," Susan commented. "It was both of you. I swear, you two acted like a couple of children on a sugar rush."
All three women now began to laugh softly as they gazed out at the thick jungle of the island. The three women had grown closer than sisters over the last 20 years. Work, exploration, and everything in between meant they often spent more time with eachother than their own families. It also meant that the women were painfully single.
Despite several romances for each of them, they each ended the same way. None of them wished to settle down, the thrill of their work encompassing their entire lives. While they had talked privately about settling down and starting families, they kept pushing it further and further down the road. Now, having entered their 40s they realized that their child baring years had passed them by.
Regardless the thrill of adventure spurred them forward. The trio may have some regrets but they would not be deterred. Natalia, Dorothy, and Susan realized that with each passing day they were coming closer to having to settle for a boring teaching job.
Or so they thought.
Natalia now began unboxing the drone she now so often used to map out her explorations. Despite some difficulties with technology, she felt it a necessary part of her job at her age. Even Natalia had to admit that trapsing through the jungle blind was something she would rather avoid. She might be a carefree adventures but age had brought wisdom. It was better to know where one was going.
"Cmon damnit," Natalia grumbled as she now fiddled with the drone.
"Need a hand old timer," Susan joked. Natalia now cast a grumpy look at Susan, watching the woman push her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"I've got it Susan," Natalia frowned. "And just for the record! You're only a month younger than I am."
"A month is a month Nat," Susan smirked.
"She's just getting us back for those times we left her outside the bar in college," Dorothy grinned. Natalia could only smile, remembering how much Susan pouted when they were in college. Both Dorothy and Natalia had turned 21 only a few days apart. Over the next month both women had quite a bit of fun at their friends expense, often times waving to their friwnd standing outside the bar or returning to their dorm room with bottles of liquor and a baby bottle for Susan.
As the drone now power to life, Natalia grinned broadly, watching as the drone now whirled to life. Clicking on the camera system, she watched as the drone now majestically soared into the air as it not flew over the lush jungle. "Okay let's see what we've got here."
All three women now anxiously gazed at the drones video feed. Already they could see that the jungle canopy was thick, obscuring the floor below. "Dont see a clear path," Natalia mumbled.
"I do," Dorothy exclaimed. "Look there!" All three women now stared at the video, seeing a small path that seemed to emerge from the jungle. Smiling, Natalia now guided the drone along the path towards the center of the island. Astonished to find that this island seemed slightly larger than she originally thought.
"Look there," Susan gasped. All three womens jaws now dropped as they beheld a fresh water lake, compete with a gentle waterfall that now fed it. "It looks like its in the center of the island."
"Well then ladies," Natalia grinned. "What do you say? Care to test the waters?"
A collective giggle now escaped the women's lips as well as an eye roll. Natalia's pun may have been hammy but exploring this pristine body of water had definitely peaked their interest. Grabbing their packs they now made their way towards the forest path.
For the three women they felt odd, strangely energized as they now breached the foliage of the jungle. Perhaps, they thought, that the adrenaline of yet another discovery had wiped away some of the aches they had grown accustomed too.
What none of them realized though was the magic of this island. The women were now closer to 4o than 43. A few years erased from their bodies, leaving fewer greys, less creases, and less aches. How long would it be before they noticed what was happening? And how young would they become.