The inevitable pain of hiking

This story is based on real events.

I knew this day would come, the day I would receive a visit from a yellow jacket. Colonies love to camp right on the road; a sting is simply a rite of passage.
As I walk, the seasons change, his territorial instincts intensify, and I become a triple threat: dark and blurry, with heavy breathing and loud footsteps.
The only difference this time was that my trail family wasn’t far behind, doing the exact same thing.
At that moment I turned to warn them, catching up with them I began to explain how they could avoid my fate.
«Look,» I said, «when we get there, try to stay calm. Our clothes are dark and we’re fuzzy…just think marshmallow feet and no heavy breathing. I’ll stop when I see it.»
Approaching the location, I said, time out, there it is, we’re safe in this tree. It’s beyond that rock, next to the bushes.
Can you hear them humming? I bet they feel the pheromone attack on me. «I leaned over, or perhaps the nest leaned toward me, and the humming became audible.»

«I’m Eva. I’m Teri. I’m Laura, the three elites of YJC.»
Eva marks to the left. Laura scores well. Teri holds the front.
Teri vibrates, signaling.
«Do you see that?»
Both Eva and Laura look forward.
«Multiple obscurities and blurs.»
Eva steps back. “What do you think they are doing by that tree?”
Teri answers first. «I’m not sure. They stopped just before the rock.»
Laura advances, defensively. «As long as they don’t reach the bushes.»
Eva looks up. «Do you have your attack pheromone?»
Teri: «Locked and loaded.»
Laura: «I’m out. That last sting put me on E: Dark and Fuzzy’s CO₂ was hot and heavy.»
Teri tilts her head slightly.
«Hey…they’re hanging around.»
Eva, Teri and Laura lean on each other, their wings almost touching.
In unison, they repeat their mantra.
“We are the elite three of YJC.
Duckets didn’t heed our warning and his arm will be swollen in the morning.

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