Awake

         For as far back as I can remember, I have always loved motorcycles. Even as a child the sound of a motorcycle could catch my ear what seemed to be miles away.  When that motorcycle screamed past down the road, it was some sort of wild demon in my eyes, a dangerous, magical creature, controlled by that sole person perched upon it's back. That person, who in my eyes had tamed the beast, became to me a sort of dark Knight. Formidable, powerful, dressed in sleek black armor, his face hidden to the word behind the tinted faceplate.
         As I grew older that mystical, powerful creature became even more of a fascination. I wanted to know what it felt like. To hold fast to that metallic monster as it flew forward across the asphalt. How fast could it go? How far? What was it like to view the world behind the eyes of this screaming creature of twisted metal and shining war paint? I was 17 when I found out the answers to these questions, and more.

         “Let me take you for a ride.” One simple, single line, and I was sold. He held out to me, the spare helmet he had brought with him. A sleek, shiny, dark blue helmet with darker tribal down the sides, and a clear face plate. Nervously I held it in my hands, staring down at it with a grin slowly spreading across my face. The black leather-clad knight then held out his hand, as the huge, silver monster beneath him growled lowly, occasionally giving a sharp snarl, begging to gallop forward. With my stomach in knots I took his hand and climbed onto the creatures back, my hands gingerly grasping the Knight's shoulders. This is it. I though to myself, trying not to hold onto the Knight to tightly, I didn't want to show how stupidly excited I was, how much I wanted to hug myself to him for giving me this amazing gift.
         He turned around to look back at me, making me drop my hands to my lap quickly. Oh no, I hope I didn't do something wrong. He lifted the black visor of his helmet, his smokey green eyes locking with mine. I'm literally frozen solid. I must look like a complete fool. He gets that look in his eyes, as he straps the helmet to my head properly. That look that sends my heart racing and the blood flushing to my cheeks. Thank goodness the thick padding inside the helmet is covering my cheeks. I've only known him a short time, and somehow already he can make me melt without saying a word.
         “Where are we going to go?” I manage to ask in a level voice. With a black gloved hand he clicks his visor back down, becoming the black Knight again.
         “Where would you like to go?” The deep coo, muffled by the helmet, made it seem like his voice sort of echos. Sending chills up my spine and all rational words fleeing from my brain. I click my visor down to cover my face, even though its completely clear, I still feel safer, almost hidden behind it. Which calms me down enough to think properly.
         “How about something to eat?” He gives a single nod and turns forward, placing his hands on the bars. I place my hands back on his shoulders, afraid to get too close. Without looking he reaches back, taking one of my hands and placing it at his waste.
         “Your going to want to hold on.” He says simply. I barely murmur an agreement before he twists on the handle, sending the silver monster jumping forward. It took a great amount of control to keep from yelling out, but I instinctively locked my hands on his sides tightly. A chuckle barely reaches my ears over the sound of the creatures roars. We slow at the stop light that marks the start of the highway. This time he reached back with both hands, grasping mine and wrapping them around his waste, making sure that I locked my hands around him tight. He grabs my clasped hands to test my grip, giving them a final tap as if to say “hold on for dear life” before putting his hands back on the bars and almost crouching on the creatures back. Silently waiting for the light to turn green.
         The seconds dragged on for what seemed like forever as I clung to the Knight, mimicking his low position, my eyes locked on the humming red glow of the traffic light. The green light facing the other direction switched to yellow. My heart thrummed against my ribcage. So hard it wouldn't surprise me if the Knight could feel it. The other light turned red. My eyes snap to the light facing us, still red for a second before the green beacon burst into life.
         The great silver demon let out a scream and rocketed forward. Pausing for but a millisecond before howling again, and again. I felt as though my body was left staring at that green traffic light, all that was left of me was this soul flying through the air, and the sensation of the wind against my skin. The trees and rocks, the grass and flowers became nothing but streaks of color, whipping past so fast I barely had time to register them. The demons scream's and the roar of the wind drowned out all the other sounds of the world. Leaving me clinging to the Black Knight with my arms while my legs gripped the silver demons back as tightly as I could manage.
         When my body finally caught up, it seemed as though my breath had now been left behind. This feeling was beyond anything I have ever felt before. I could almost taste the adrenalin coursing through my veins. I'm very thankful now, that the Knight had made sure I was holding on tightly, or I would have easily been thrown off the beasts back. We reached a steady speed after a while, flying down the highway. Finally I felt comfortable enough to look up over the Knights' shoulder. As the pavement zipped by beneath us I took a deep, ragged breath. It was truly like flying. 
         Slowly I released my grip on my own wrist, letting one hand extend out into the wall of wind. The wind was so powerful that it took a lot of strength to keep my arm out straight. The Knight glanced back to make sure I was alright as my grip on him loosened, I could almost sense the smile on his face when he then looked back at the road. When I pulled my arm back in the force of the wind threw it against my side, startling me.
         The demon began to slow down, approaching a stoplight. When it came to a stop, I wrapped my arms back around the Knight, hugging close to him and turning my head to rest it against his back. My heart was pounding so hard it was almost uncomfortable. I could see him turn his head to try and look back at me,  then his hand touched my forearm and rubbed it gently, his gloved fingers entwining with mine momentarily. There was something special, something so sensual about that singular moment, that simple touch. He took off more gently that time when the light turned green. I knew then that he was definitely smiling.