She peered out from her vantage point high up on the roof of a tall building. The city far below appeared like a miniature model constructed as a scaled down version of the real thing. Just the sight sent a wave of nausea coursing through her. Determinedly, she swallowed the burning sensation it brought with it back down her throat.
As she stood there, hugging herself tight she felt rooted in place, as if there were chains keeping her bound. Chains that had been there so long, she'd long ago grown used to the feeling of the metallic chill against her skin. Chains she hadn't realised existed before. It made her want to slap herself. How had she not seen them before? How had she not noticed there was something there, keeping her from moving forward? From moving on?
But now, she knew, and she wasn't sure she could stand the feeling anymore. She wanted... needed to let go. But how? Was there a key to open the lock? Could she shake it all away? Was there even a way, or would she be trapped there, set in stone, rooted to the ground, forever?
She shook her head. No. She couldn't possibly be set like this. Not forever. There had to be some way to make it go away. To let go. Her brain rattled inside her skull along with the chains as she tried to move her arms. Her attempts grew more desperate. But still, the chains would not budge.
Finally, she took a deep breath, opened her mouth and released a frustrated, ear piercing scream. A rush of air swirled around her, flowing through her hair, lifting it and blowing her long, blonde locks behind her. The feeling of sweet relief. As it wafted away, the wind carried with it the sound of her screams. They became softer and more distant until they finally dissipated completely.
When she was left alone with a newfound quiet to accompany the forced stillness, she found she was suddenly able to stretch her arms out from her sides. Somehow, she was suddenly, finally, able to move. She peered out at the view in front of her. She breathed deep for courage, spread her arms wide, bent her knees and took off. Finally, she'd let go.
She had thought that she was all by herself, high up above the rest of the world on the rooftop. But, when you zoomed out even more, as it turned out, there were many people on high rooftops of their own. All of them rooted in place by a set of invisible, possible unknown chains. All of them struggling to find a way to shake it all away, let go and break free. All of them desperate for the same sweet release she felt now, flying freely amongst the clouds in the bright blue sky. And all of them, though not a single one of them aware of it, not alone.
