Welcoming Death

My eyes searched the many vehicles for the nice black motorcycle I saw when I left for school earlier that day.

It had moved since I last saw it. No longer right up front, but off to the side with the other finished cars and bikes. Rick once told me that a row of finished cars represented his money. When the owner came to collect, so would he.

The motorcycle was black all over except for a silver plate that read Kawasaki and the grey letters on the side that read Ninja. It stood apart from the other bikes on account of how clean and new it looked.

Rick was a good mechanic, but the rumors of his beer-filled life got around and the expensive vehicles stopped coming. Who would trust a drunk mechanic with such a possession?

I ran my finger across the beautiful bike as I imagined being free once again. And without any thought, I threw my legs over the leather seat to straddle it. The machine was cold and dead between my legs. I’d worn some blue jean shorts and a black screen-t with some black boots to school today.

The shorts weren’t ideal for riding a bike, but I didn’t care. I put the key in the ignition and savored the vibrations running through my body as it started up. Turning the throttle twice, I embraced myself before taking off.

There was no doubt in my mind which way I would turn when those wheels left my driveway.

There were two roads leading out of town. The main road that ran through downtown Riverwood, past everyone and everything I’ve ever known. And then there is the old country Lake Road that wrapped around the outer parts of town. It was a dark two-lane street with no lights or signs that followed the large lake which made Riverwood look like a hiker’s paradise.

On the part of the road that ran through my side of town, trees stood tall on both sides, blocking the view of some of Riverwoods wealthiest residents. Who needed gates when you had a twelve-foot tree line?

When the trees to the left of the road fell away and a beautiful lake came into view, that was an indication that I was near Riverwoods even wealthier citizens. Those who had more money than I knew what to do with.

I didn’t have to think twice about which road I was going to take out of this place. I hit the throttle again and headed toward more scenic route. I wouldn’t chance seeing anything thing in town that would dare keep me here. I needed clear roads if I was going to keep going.

With the town quickly fading behind me and the unknown in front of me, I breathed in the fresh air. It was much easier now. The further I drove, the freer I felt from the chains of the relationship between me and Rick. I wouldn’t be his prisoner anymore. I wouldn’t be his punching bag anymore.

I wouldn’t turn back. Not for anything.

On the bike, it took me ten minutes to get to the breathtaking lake. I immediately thought about the first time my grandparents took me there. My grandfather wanted to fish and my grandmother just wanted to be near him. And I…I just wanted to be with those who loved me.

My eyes began to water and I felt nostalgia pulling me back.

I forced the bike to go faster as I struggled inside to keep going. I couldn’t turn back.

When the tears started falling and my vision blurred. I squeezed them shut to clear my view. The moment I opened them, I felt instant regret.

It only took seconds of closed eyes for the bike to steer into the left lane. A gut-wrenching screech from a car in the opposite lane filled the air as the driver tried to brake too fast.

It was no use. Everyone who drove this road sped. There was no way the driver would have enough time to slow down.

I almost pulled in the direction of the car instead of in the other direction. If I hit it, i could honestly tell myself I tried to escape this life. Even if it meant no life at all.