Brother's Run

Chapter 5: Looks Easy.

Warning: Strong Language... Enjoy.

Chapter 5: Looks Easy.

We set off through the large parking lot full of beach junkies already unpacking their setup for the day. Flipping, jumping and weaving through the lined up coolers, chairs and other inflatable items throughout the paved lot.

I went on my own path and climbed the thick wall that lined the front of the lot and grew in large elongated steps. It topped off with the small shack that allowed cars in and out. I was lucky, a car was waiting to be let out. I swung my left leg out to jump onto the shack and then my right, pulling the rest of my body into a front flip and landing on top of the still vehicle. I rolled out the jump and off the small coop, running into the four foot wide alley just on the other side. I could hear the angry call of the driver behind me. It put a spark of adrenaline through my system and I pushed on.

The first building of the alley had a locked fire exit ladder and that was my target. I had to be quick on the jump while running. I only had a second to pull it off, jumping up the wall opposite with my left leg pushing my body higher and grabbing hold of the metal rungs to my right. "Nailed it." I stroked my own ego as I climbed the ladder to the top of the two story cafe. A smile of joy strung across my face.

The next building was easy, small jump to it and that's all I gave it. It was the run off the second building to the next that would be a nice trick. I ran full force, just a little too close to the front edge of the flat roof and jumped up to the waist height wooden fence. Not wanting to lose momentum I gave another spring to the three story building ahead. Catching the ledge just right and pulling myself up.

I was standing atop the tallest building I would be on this run and I had to give myself a moment to enjoy the morning sky. It was beautiful, the orange sky faded to yellow and mixed with the clear blue sky that engulfed the top of the world. I took a deep breath of the salt drizzled air.

As I looked over the edge to the fourth building, it was only a small yard that separated the two buildings and it was going to be a far jump. But it would give me that feeling I was craving. This is the reason I ran, to be free, to feel alive and lost in the wild world around me. On the other side I would cheer myself on, on the other side… all those bad thoughts would be left mid air to hang forever.

I stepped back and lined myself up, on any other day I would've just keep running not worrying about thinking, but this day was full of crazy already and I needed to get my head clear. I went for it. Running with all I had and launching off my right foot at the edge of the building, my body stretched forward.

I had it... that free feeling and I was getting lost in it. The wind rushed past me and I wanted to stay in this moment forever. I felt weightless and like I could do anything in the world, just like every other time. Muscle memory had me pulling my legs forward getting ready to land the ending of the jump, but I indulged for too long. I snapped into reality and I was already hitting the ground. I let my body roll over the gravel in a sloppy landing before resting on my back. "Fuck."

I'd wanted that feeling, but I got caught up in it. I could've landed a lot worse, cracking or breaking something on the way down. I was thankful for the reflex of muscle memory, my shoulder was hurting though. It had taken most of the impact and I gave it a small roll to scale the pain. I winced halfway through, it was manageable. I told myself.

I didn't have that after feeling I was anticipating. I dragged my body from the gravel and continued my run, clearing the four foot alley gap to the building behind.

Something had hit deep inside of me, something I once again couldn't put my finger on. Alice's Cafe was just on the other side of the row of buildings to the left. I had to get down from here and through to my destination. I wouldn't doubt Rory already being there, it was an easy enough path to get through and to be honest - when I made these bets with Rory - I never took the winner's position.

I slid down through an open window atop the small building, and dropped to the large room below. It was a small ledge that lead down to ramps, a few kids had already gathered in the early morning. Inside an enclosed skate-park nestled in the building and it lead out into a open wall, tons of teens would gather and hang out here. The town was so full of life, hidden in the most unlikely spots.

I jogged lightly down into the open room, going through the practicing skaters.

"Hey… hey you. N-no skateboard guy in the... skate-park." It was a soft girly voice calling me.

I turned back to see who'd been calling me, a bright faced, red head came walking quickly towards me. "I don't see you with a skateboard." I don't think I'd ever met the girl before and I continued walking backwards slowly to the large exit.

"Oh… i-it's back there." She thumbed to a few girls sitting on the edge of a corner ramp behind her. "You're, umm... Rory's big brother?"

I couldn't suppress my annoyance of the question and my eyes rolled off to the side. "Yup… and I'm going to be late. See yeah." I jogged a few steps backwards.

"W-wait… it's Loni, right?" She was nervous, her hands wrapped timidly in her long shirt that covered most of her short-shorts.

"Yup, names Loni and no I'm not going to hook you up with my brother. So yeah, bye-bye." I gave a mocking wave to the shy girl and took off in the opposite direction. That was all I needed to give me the energy boost to make it the last bit.

I couldn't help a smile when I see my brother leaning against the bricked wall, but it soon faded with the swarm of girls around him. To catch his attention, I gave a quick jump up with my fingers pulling my mouth off to the sides and going crossed eyed. My smile was back again when his eyes met mine and he gave a giggle, his hand coming up to cover.

A few girls looked back to shoot glares at whoever made their dream boy smile and all soon faded when they were met with the dead stare back.

I opened Alice's door.