Crash (PTB Writing Challenge #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The wind nipped at my skin as I ran over the dark mulch on the path through the woods. The air was slightly salty and cool here from the ocean mist that carried over from the Atlantic Ocean, lapping far below the cliff on the edge of the woods.

I had gathered many sweet spots like this one to jog through over the years. I had few other hobbies or friends to take up my time, so running was my escape; my adventure. Places like this little forest made me feel alive. I became receptive to everything around me, including my body. When I was running my brain sort of shut off and I felt every inch of myself; the burning in my calves, the rapid beating of my heart, the single drop of sweat inching its way down my forehead.

I never listened to music while I ran. I loved every sound, from the thumping of the mulch underneath my feet to the far-off crash of the waves and seagulls overhead.

The thought gave me the idea to go to my spot near the water. I changed direction on the path and ran towards the barely rising sun. The trees thinned a little on the route to this spot, but not too much. I always loved how The Cliff seemed to come out of nowhere; like one second I was in a peaceful forest and the next I was on the edge of a treacherous, but beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean.

A space opened up in the trees ahead and I slowed my pace. I smiled as I neared The Cliff. My timing was perfect. The sky was still a dark blue but I spotted an orange semi-circle coming out of the ocean on the horizon. For some reason I began to think about Pocahontas, who had always been my favorite Disney princess. Sometimes I felt connected to her, especially in nature-loving moments like this one. She had the best virtues, too. She followed her heart and listened to nature, but still had enough good sense and principle to stay home with her people when given the choice to leave with John Smith. She had the responsibility to eventually rule her tribe, since her father was the chief after all...

My childish inner ramblings were suddenly interrupted when my cell phone ringtone blared from my sweatpants. Prying the device from my pocket, I answered, "Hello?"

"AMY?", my mother screeched on the other line, forcing me to hold the phone a few inches away from my ear. My mother had a habit of being too loud on the phone... and everywhere else. But really, she was one of those people who would always be stuck in the past when it came to electronics.

"AMY I MADE YOU BREAKFAST, HONEY. COME BACK BEFORE IT GETS TOO COLD ALRIGHT?" Her last word was stretched out and held an all too cheery inflection. Mom was always the most enthusiastic morning person.

"Yes, alright mom. I'll be there in a jiff." I answered, but I had a feeling she was no longer listening. In the background she could be heard fussing at someone, probably my father.

I sighed and ended the call, then put my phone back in its hiding place.

I stretched my arms up over my head and closed my eyes, reveling in the release of tension and the new sunshine coming up over the horizon. I sighed again and brought my arms back down. Time to begin another day.