running or walking

subway train

so crowded you aren't sure

if it's your feet holding you up

or if it's just the bodies surrounding you

she turns her face to move her nose

away from the man

who smells like he hasn't washed in

at least two months

she finds herself nose to nose with

hand gripping the silver bar

trying to ignore the stickiness

trying to avoid being washed away

turns his head to look around

he finds himself nose to nose with

him

her

"hi"

the subway slows and they gravitate backwards

it's a bit like falling sideways

unprepared she falls into him

awkward but not entirely

unpleasant

her

"this your stop?"

him

"not sure. is it yours?"

her

"not sure."

him

"where are you headed?"

her

"away"

him

"me too"

her

"at what speed?"

him

"huh?"

the subway train jerked into motion

"there are two types of going away

running away

walking away

one is considered cowardly

the other is probably

the bravest thing a person could ever do"

"I see."

he thought for a moment

"a bit of both, I think."

"I see."

him

"how fast are you going?"

her

"at a sprint"

him

"can I come with you?"

her

"if you can keep up."

doors open

they flood out

into empty space