Bull Leaping

“There is no feeling like it,” she heard her father’s words echoing in her head. “There is no feeling that is more thrilling. Your heart will pound and feel as though it is about to leap out of your throat. Your mind will narrow and focus, so that you’ll be able to see the smallest detail. You will never feel more in control of every muscle and limb of your body, then when you take your first leap”

Bia crouched low, her body was frozen into position, as she awaited the opening of the coliseum’s doors. Her body was completely shrouded by the shadows, as her eyes stared ahead. The light of the spring day pierced through the cracks of the door and the thunderous chants shook the structure walls of the underground. Soon, she would race up the ramp and enter the stage where her family obtained fame.

Her father, Evander Kokkinos, was the most famous of the Minoan bull leapers. There was not one citizen of Crete, who did not know of her father’s talents. Men would shout the name “Kokkinos” as they passed them in the streets. Neighbors would bestow gifts of wine and food, at all hours of the day and night. Strangers cheered and applauded, as they followed him through the streets. The first question anyone ever asked was, “When will you enter and perform like your father.”

She’d trained her whole life for the moments that were about to transpire. Her father made sure that every waking moment was spent becoming the best. Beginning at the age of 3, she was made to jump over tree limbs and sofas. By the age of 5, she could catapult over the large garden walls of the village. At the age of 7, she could leap fully into a magnificent somersault that narrowly missed her father’s charge. Now at the age of 15, she was primed and ready for her debut.

Bia was blinded as the doors swung open and light flooded in. Her body launched into action and carried her forward with remarkable speed. In seconds, she was clear of the entrance and sprinting along the walls of the coliseum. Rose petals danced in the air all around her and stuck to her body as she rushed by the adoring audience. The deafening sound began to soften as she came back around to her entrance. Her legs slowed, and she stopped, once again, she crouched in her poised position. Her eyes were pealed to the other end of the coliseum. The crowd grew silent, awaiting her beastly opponent.

A loud creak of the stable door brought the crowds to their feet. The cries of the audience were louder than before, as the bull burst out of the shadows. The agitated animal galloped, full speed toward her as she remained still. Her eyes sharpened despite the intense speed, and time seemed to slow down.

Her father’s words were true. Her vision cleared to take in every detail of a terrifying image moving closer and closer. The bull was the most monstrous size a bull could possibly grow to be. Sweat was matted in its black fur. The hints of sunlight glisten off its dark eyes. Its steamy breath hazed the air around it’s nostrils. Muscles layered upon muscles, to create a colossal creature. The bull was crowned with massive gray horns that jetted out on either side of its head. They reached out and curved up to a most horrific angle.

“Steady,” she thought. “Not yet.” Timing was the most crucial part of her father’s training. If she was too eager and leaped too soon, she would catch the horns on her landing. If she was too late, she would never lift off the ground.

“Almost there.” She knew the exactly when to act. “Now!” She thought as she as took two long strides and then vaulted up several feet. Bia tucked her limbs into a ball and somersaulted over the bulls back. Her legs shot out and she landed with both feet. The crowd rose to their feet in a roaring applause.

Bia had survived the first rush, but the fight was still underway. With a jolt, the bull was charging toward her again. It lurched its head low and to the side. She felt the wind brush against her skin, as the horn narrowly missed her back. She twirled around and took a few steps backwards. She needed some distance to perform her next leap. She jumped up and flipped herself over, as the bull charged forward. She leaned back and reached out to grasp the two horns. The bull reared and jerked its head, throwing Bia over its shoulder and to the side. It then circled around, and when it caught sight of her, began another charge.

“You must never hesitate! That leads to death. You decide and then follow through with that choice. There is no time to change your mind.” Bia heard the words in her head as her body tensed. She was frozen as the mammoth bull charged toward her. She was torn between two choices. She didn’t know whether to run or to wait for it to come closer. She felt something click insider her. Running was not an option. She would never outrun this animal. She bent her knees and with all her strength pushed off the ground. In mid-air, she flung herself over and landed on the bulls back. The bull bucked wildly, but Bia remained on its back. It thrashed and kicked, in a furious rage. Finally, with one violent toss, Bia was sent into the air.

“Accept your fate. It is always possible that you might fail. It is possible that you might make a mistake. If you accept this, then you will never fear it.” She had heard those words almost every day. He had said them, over and over. She had been taught not to fear death or injury, but most importantly, not to fear failing. She remembered that lesson, high in the air. The crowd’s cheers rang loud in her ears. Her body relaxed, as she drifted down. She didn’t care if she landed hard or if the bull caught her with its horns. The important thing was that she had tried and somewhere in the crowd, her father was watching her perform.