Copy Book #1, page 1: Long Day

Shifters were jammed on the 10-speed: damn thing wouldn't downshift, a hassle in a town with so many hills. She was always surprised by the size of the cycling population in difficult cities, and she was always one of them. There were worse places to ride.

riding my ten speed
the shifters are not working
big hill coming up

On her toes, she ground up the incline, swearing silently and with surprising creativity. Dark parked cars brooded at the kerb beside her as she passed them, neck and neck but pulling ahead. The top of the hill, a short sharp one, came into view, and she gnawed at the distance remaining.

tired already
straining against gravity
I am going home

Gaining the summit, she stuck a foot down and leaned over for a few breaths, an honorable rest. Off the night shift, she was alone on the pavement, wind ruffling her hair and the leaves on the trees. The foot on the ground throbbed with her accelerated pulse, but when her lungs stopped burning she remounted the busted bike and kicked off.

tailwind is with me
the end of a long hard road

all downhill from here

N.B: this is page one of something I hope to compile in a print format, my first copy book (with thanks to Spike of http://templaraz.com/ for the idea).

Posted at Monday, March 9, 2009 05:27 PM
In Short Fiction Category | Permalink