Ficlets

Running, But Not Fast Enough

One foot, other foot. Just pushing, pushing away from the pavement. Harder. Faster. Maybe, maybe if I shove hard enough against the gray concrete, I won’t be part of it anymore, and I’ll be able to fly. Maybe.

One foot, other foot. Cars are speeding down the highway, next to me, but I only look at my feet. Sneakers, falling apart, the left one’s untied. Oh well. The road blurs beneath me, I can’t see. Not that it matters.

One foot, other foot. I never told you that I loved you, maybe then it would’ve been different. I never told you how special you were. Maybe I could’ve changed the way things ended up. Maybe you wouldn’t have swallowed those pills.

One foot, other foot. My breathing’s getting ragged, dusty tears fill my eyes.

One foot, other foot. Where I am I? The grass is burnt brown, scorched from summer’s heat. Clouds fill the sky. I collapse onto the ground, screams ready to burst from my throat.

I thought if I ran fast enough, I could escape my feelings. But my feelings ran faster, and I’m lost.

View this story's 8 comments.