The Long Road

A wooden swing hung from braided rope tied to an old tree branch.
A girl pushed her feet up in to the air, then back and forth until her surroundings blurred.
She was convinced that if she kept going for long enough, she could let go and start to soar above the ground and the tree tops.
Closing her eyes, she imagined that she left without looking back, disappearing into the streaks of tired autumn sunlight.

Footprints on grains of California sand strayed out to the glassy ocean, ready to be torn into.
A girl looked at the horizon, and swam until her arms started to ache and the saltwater blurred her vision.
She was convinced that if she kept going for long enough, she could reach the edge of the earth and find all of its treasured secrets.
Closing her eyes, she imagined that she left without looking back, disappearing into the crescent waves set on fire by the blinding summer sun.

Buildings that were lifetimes old stood the way they always had, with ancient stories dying to be told to restless hearts.
A girl gazed up at them, standing perfectly next to each other, and climbed winding stairwells until she lost count of the steps she'd taken and floors she'd passed.
She kept going for what seemed like forever, until she reached the very edge of the rooftop, looking out into a sea of people and cars and concrete, more fascinating that she could have ever imagined.
Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply and stared into the black sky, with dazzling white stars and blaring city lights. She disappeared into the cold winter night.