Sara couldn't shake the guilt she felt over ruining Cade's Arc'teryx jacket. So, to make amends, she decided to splurge on something nice for herself and Cade. After some browsing online, she fell in love with a beautiful blue Rab down jacket. It was a rich shade of cobalt, with a glossy finish that made it stand out. The jacket was warm, lightweight, and just as stylish as Cade's had been. Sara was thrilled when she finally brought it home, feeling like she had made up for the mishap.

Cade, however, had other plans.

Cade noticed the new jacket as soon as Sara walked in. It was gorgeous, no doubt about it, but all Cade could think about was how her own jacket had ended up in pieces. And so, a mischievous idea started to form in her mind. It wasn't just about getting even--it was about teaching Sara a lesson.

A few days later, Cade made a reservation at a local spa, famous for its luxurious mud baths. As she got ready to leave, she spotted Sara's brand new Rab jacket hanging by the door. The soft, down-filled jacket shimmered slightly under the light, its fabric smooth and inviting. Cade knew exactly what she was going to do.

When Cade arrived at the spa, the staff greeted her warmly. It was a high-end establishment, with a reputation for pampering its clients. Cade explained that she wanted to wear her "special jacket" into the mud bath, saying it was a therapeutic ritual she had heard about. The staff was skeptical at first--they had never had a request like this before--but Cade was persuasive.

"I've heard that the mud can actually help with the fabric," Cade lied smoothly. "It's supposed to make it softer, more comfortable. Plus, it's part of a wellness practice from overseas."

Reluctantly, the staff agreed, and Cade was escorted to the private mud bath area. She put on the Rab jacket, savoring the moment. The jacket fit perfectly, wrapping her in warmth, the down filling giving it a cozy, plush feel. The bright blue color stood out sharply against the earthy tones of the spa, making the jacket look even more luxurious.

As Cade stepped into the mud bath, she could feel the thick, warm mud start to ooze around her boots. The spa attendants looked on with a mixture of fascination and concern. Slowly, she began to lower herself into the mud, watching as the rich brown mud crept up the sides of the jacket. The bright blue fabric began to darken as it made contact with the mud, the glossy finish slowly losing its sheen.

Cade dipped the sleeves into the mud, swirling them around, and then she leaned back, fully submerging the jacket up to her chest. The down filling was no match for the weight of the mud, and Cade could feel the jacket growing heavier, the once-light garment now sodden and bulky.

The spa attendants, still unsure of what to make of the situation, approached hesitantly. "Are you sure about this?" one of them asked.

Cade nodded, a sly smile on her face. "Absolutely. In fact, could you help me scrub the mud in? I want to make sure it gets into every part of the jacket."

The attendants exchanged uncertain glances but complied. As they began to scrub the mud into the jacket, Cade could feel the fabric becoming more and more saturated. The bright blue had now turned into a deep, muddy brown, the vibrant color completely buried under layers of thick, wet earth. The mud clung to every inch of the jacket, seeping into the seams and soaking into the down filling. The once-puffy jacket was now weighed down, the mud making it look almost deflated.

Cade reveled in the moment, thinking about how Sara had carelessly ruined her own jacket. The staff, too, seemed to grow more enthusiastic as they worked, the mud squelching under their hands as they pressed it deeper into the fabric.

After what seemed like hours, Cade finally stepped out of the mud bath. The jacket was unrecognizable. Where once there had been a sleek, shiny blue jacket, now there was a sodden, mud-caked mess. Cade peeled it off and wrapped it in a plastic bag, not wanting to get mud everywhere on her way back home.

When she returned, Sara was waiting for her in the living room, a cup of tea in her hand. She looked up as Cade walked in, her eyes immediately narrowing when she saw the plastic bag.

"What's that?" Sara asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

"Oh, this?" Cade said nonchalantly, holding up the bag. "Just your new jacket."

Sara's face paled as Cade pulled the jacket out of the bag. Mud dripped onto the floor, and the jacket, once bright and beautiful, was now a sodden, muddy wreck. The fabric was stained, the down filling clumped together in places, and the entire thing smelled like damp earth.

"What the hell, Cade?" Sara exclaimed, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

"I thought I'd try something new," Cade replied, her tone cool. "You know, a little therapeutic mud treatment for the jacket. They say it's good for the fabric."

Sara was fuming. "You're insane! That jacket was brand new! Why would you do this?"

Cade shrugged, her expression unapologetic. "I guess now we're even. Next time, don't borrow my stuff without thinking about where you're going."

Sara couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked down at the ruined jacket, her heart sinking. "I can't believe you did this," she muttered, shaking her head.

Cade simply turned and walked away, leaving Sara standing there with the destroyed jacket in her hands. There was no denying it--Sara had learned her lesson, but at the cost of yet another beautiful piece of outdoor gear. And Cade? Well, she had a new set of mud-stained rags to add to her collection.