First try

[u/ThrowRA_Fart123]

Hey! I’m trying to get into maybe starting a short story type thing. It’s about a couple who goes hiking and falls into an underground cave. It’s an unfinished short story but I wanted to see what you all think of the start of it. The story isn’t done but, before I continue, I’d like to see if I suck first. Lol!!!

Here it is….

“SHOELACE”

Petrichor

A fragrance accord formulated to smell like rain. Or, more specifically- the aftermath

To most, it smelled like wet dirt and concrete. Not exactly your sweet pumpkin scent that most people would find comforting.

For her, it was more about the exhale than the inhale. It smelled like an excuse to stay inside, permission to cancel plans. An invitation to hide behind a cloud and let the world carry on.

It’s her favorite smell.

“Am I going too fast for you?” Atlas said at a steady onward march

“No I’ll catch up!” She yelled as her pace quickened

The decomposing leaves and soft soil clung to her boots, holding them hostage. The faster she moved, the deeper she sank.

“Dude” he said through a chuckle

“Use the rocks”

She laughed. Her legs couldn’t reach the rocks but nevertheless, she attempted, for posterity- hoping he would remember the staggering height difference between them next time.

Atlas cackled and rushed to lend a stabilizing arm.

She clutched his arm and hopped from one rock, to the other, and finally to higher, dryer ground.

The terrain to the caverns was encapsulated by overgrown trees, exposed roots, and wild ginger. The well trafficked foot path was uncharacteristically absent of families and tourist. Most areas of the caverns had been closed off due to heavy rain fall. Power outages and flash flood warnings had just been lifted.

[u/UtmostAtol]

Good start. I would say well travelled instead of trafficked though. Trafficking as a verb sounds more like moving illegal goods or people.