County Road 72

Running miles and miles wasn’t enough anymore. She desired an adrenaline rush, one that will drop into the pit of her stomach and demand attention. Country Road 72 was the perfect setting. She listened to her feet pat, pat, pat on the tar with her breathing in sync. The sun was hidden, leaving the last bits of snow and ice cultivated on the corners of the road. The middle of the road was clear and dry. Rocks crunch under her soles as she treads down the open road. Not a car in sight. A single vehicle may pass every 5 minutes or so, but for now, it was open. Resembling an opportunity that needs taking advantage of. Striped yellow lines never looked so enticing. She gears her feet towards the center of the road and focuses on the yellow stripes. Once she feels certain about running straight, down the middle of Country Road 72, she shuts her eyes.

            With her eyes closed, her other senses are immediately heightened. The sound of wind rushing through the wired fence that keeps the cows. She could smell spring rolling over the flat lands. She wonders if her path is still straight. Her eyes still shut. Her brain is chilled from cold air nipping at her ears for the East. Harmonizing with the sound of wind, she hears the hum of an engine. Trying to decipher the two sounds was difficult. She wondered how far away the vehicle was. Would it see her? Would it stop? She keeps running, yellow stripe after yellow stripe. Eyes closed. The vehicles hum echoes off a fencepost into her right ear. Finally, the rush begins. A smile shines across her face just as the subtle sound became deafening. The smooth crunch of rock and rubber makes her picture a van. Moving slower than normal. Driving the actual speed limit. No breaks and no sound to give her confirmation. Running towards one another, they both know who will win. Dirt getting kicked up from the tires spits in front of her face. The sound gets louder and louder, until it completely disappears. The pumping of her heart shocks the iris of her face awake. She quickly opens her eyes like a required breath of air after diving underwater. Still running, she looks behind her, and see’s nothing. The imagined silver van with five stick people on the back including Mom, Dad, two children and a dog wasn’t there. She will always remember the way Country Road 72 played with her senses