THE NEED FOR SPEED
The Morning After
----------
A blinding light drove through my still-shut eyes forcing me to awake to a dull, throbbing headache.
With more effort than it should have took, I forced myself to stand. A putrid mix of sweat and vomit rolled off my chest as it heaved up and down straining to supply me with air.
I stepped out of the pod and found myself in the middle of a jungle forest. The humid air relatively cool to my fevered brow. I must've landed countless miles from Angel Island, the agreed landing point.
"Good," I managed to choke out. "That should buy me some time."
The sound of a small nearby waterfall caught my ear, and I wearily trudged toward it.
I got approximately three yards before my aching legs gave out.
Face-down on the dusty earth, I futilely willed my arms to drag me forward.
"Damn," I muttered, not bothering to turn my head. "It was. never. this bad."
My eyes only seemed to blink, but as they reopened the bright morning sun was replaced with a dimly-moonlit sky.
I swore at myself for blacking out again, but the unwelcome rest had granted me enough strength to crawl the remaining 10 or so yards to the spring's pool of water.
After cleaning myself and drinking my fill, I did some simple warm-up stretches to test my aching muscles. Despite some stiffness and pain, I was at least mobile again.
"Okay," I said to myself, "let's try a quick sprint."
I bent down and tensed up for a track and field start. I stayed like that for a moment, attempting to brace myself for the pain that was sure to come.
I launched from my starting point and took off. I was surprised at how dull the pain was as I forced my heavy legs to propel me forward. After about ten seconds, I skid to a stop and looked behind me.
There was the spring, not 25 meters away.
The trees and mountains shook as I belted forth every curse word I could think of.
After notifying the whole world of my frustration, I began to collect some twigs and branches for firewood.
Twenty- five meters. God! How could I show my face around my friends again? I could already hear their jeering laughter.
"That settles it!" I bellowed, " I'm not going home. Not until I get to be as fast as before! No! Even faster!" and, ignoring the pain, I began to run again.
----------
The Morning After
----------
A blinding light drove through my still-shut eyes forcing me to awake to a dull, throbbing headache.
With more effort than it should have took, I forced myself to stand. A putrid mix of sweat and vomit rolled off my chest as it heaved up and down straining to supply me with air.
I stepped out of the pod and found myself in the middle of a jungle forest. The humid air relatively cool to my fevered brow. I must've landed countless miles from Angel Island, the agreed landing point.
"Good," I managed to choke out. "That should buy me some time."
The sound of a small nearby waterfall caught my ear, and I wearily trudged toward it.
I got approximately three yards before my aching legs gave out.
Face-down on the dusty earth, I futilely willed my arms to drag me forward.
"Damn," I muttered, not bothering to turn my head. "It was. never. this bad."
My eyes only seemed to blink, but as they reopened the bright morning sun was replaced with a dimly-moonlit sky.
I swore at myself for blacking out again, but the unwelcome rest had granted me enough strength to crawl the remaining 10 or so yards to the spring's pool of water.
After cleaning myself and drinking my fill, I did some simple warm-up stretches to test my aching muscles. Despite some stiffness and pain, I was at least mobile again.
"Okay," I said to myself, "let's try a quick sprint."
I bent down and tensed up for a track and field start. I stayed like that for a moment, attempting to brace myself for the pain that was sure to come.
I launched from my starting point and took off. I was surprised at how dull the pain was as I forced my heavy legs to propel me forward. After about ten seconds, I skid to a stop and looked behind me.
There was the spring, not 25 meters away.
The trees and mountains shook as I belted forth every curse word I could think of.
After notifying the whole world of my frustration, I began to collect some twigs and branches for firewood.
Twenty- five meters. God! How could I show my face around my friends again? I could already hear their jeering laughter.
"That settles it!" I bellowed, " I'm not going home. Not until I get to be as fast as before! No! Even faster!" and, ignoring the pain, I began to run again.
----------