Red Writing Hood: Victory

Prompt: Write a piece of fiction or creative non-fiction in which athleticism features prominently. I am definitely of the potato-shaped persuasion, but I am amazed every single day by kids who struggle to do activities that others take for granted. They are the true athletes; their battles are fought every single day, with no off season. This is fiction.

*clack*

*clack*

*clack*

Her feet fly over the ground of her mind, barely touching.

*clack*

The wind parts like a sea of tall grass as her strong legs propel her forward.

*clack*

Running is freedom, she has heard her mother say. So she runs.

*clack*

Her joy is boundless, her smile the sun, as she moves fleet-footed down the track.

*clack*

*clack*

Her arms are hurting where the steel of the crutches surround them.

*clack*

Her lungs feel ready to burst with her efforts to pull in enough oxygen.

*clack*

She sees the finish line. The crowd is there, waiting, cheering her on.

*clack*

In her mind, she runs past the finish line, her arms raised in victory.

Then she feels her legs collapse in their exhaustion. The crutches cannot help her stay upright. She falls. No matter; the crowd envelopes her in their elation.

Ten steps today. Tomorrow, the world.