moments

She raced through the streets, wind whipping at her face, hair blown wild like a tornado behind her.

It was these moments, with her heart racing, legs pounding, feet pleading with the pedals to move faster; in these moments she felt it.

In these moments with her bike groaning under the strain, tires ripping at the asphalt, body lowered to take her faster. Strangers on the sidewalk passing in a constant blur. Unseen and unknown.

In these moments, they couldn't see her, couldn't judge her, couldn't hold her to their standards. She was free from the strains life. Unbound from time and worry.

In these moments where her lungs burned and screamed for mercy. Where determination was all that mattered. The push to be faster, the primal need to pedal harder.

A bead of sweat rolling down her nose to find her lip. The taste of salt. Familiar. Gritty. Necessary.

She could feel her muscles strain. She could hear them begging for release, but she wasn't done yet.

In these moments where the only limits were what she set herself, it was here where she finally felt free.