Talk to Stuart on the Fictionville Weblog
The time was drawing close.Soon the big door would swing open and expose the black sky to view.They might even get to see a star or two.He thought back to the tales of his youth and remembered the stories of the stars and the trees and the roads to any where you wanted to go.That was before the Corporations took it all.Now the stars were gone from the night,the air was ruined and the roads went one way only.The Company way.After the Governments stopped building the roads,the people stopped building the Government.Profits trumped Freedom and the old ways slipped away.At least that was the way the old men told it.He had only known the Company.Company Schools,Company Houses.Company Rules.Company Life.But tonight it was his turn to feel the old ways.He shivered at the thought as he ran his hand across the leather seat.
Gleaming in the hidden light,the old bike stood at the ready.Put together with the love and patience taught to them all by the last of the old road burners.The great parts stashes their secret.The freedom of the road their dream.Tonight it was his turn.The door would swing open,the sweet exhaust note would rip the silent night and he would feel what the old folks felt.Freedom would be his.Until they came for him.The Safeties would start for him at the first sound.Seeking him out,grinding out the forbidden machine but not the spark of life he would bring to his mates.Of the Corporation,By the Corporation,For the Corporation.His crew would listen for him from the darkness,waiting for the silence that would end his run.Then they would start on the next bike,the next grasp at the Liberty that was once cherished,but now forgotten.
The time was here.Up comes the door.A swift kick and he was away.His mind and heart becoming one as he swung out and rolled it on.His smile as wide as his light was bright.Running Free.