Train
The smoke cleared. That was an incredibly lucky pass. Had the train not stopped, the entire village may have gone up in flames. I sighed and went back to shoveling coal into the furnace. It felt as if this is what I had always done, with the minutes melting into days and years. The sound of the engine seemed distant and the heat of the fire no longer drew sweat or singed my shirt. I could only vaguely remember having burn marks on my arms, but could not feel them. I must have been doing this so long, my body grew accustomed and integrated itself with the train.
After shoveling in enough coal to satisfy a couple hours of running, I returned to the conductor’s chair and rested my hand on the wheel, watching the ever changing landscape around me. It was unrecognizable. Strange blocks and cylinders towered over the train as I passed by. I couldn’t understand how they didn’t topple over. I remembered when my train was the largest structure to be passing a town and ladies would hold on to their hats and parasols as I passed. What happened to that time? It was only yesterday, wasn’t it? And where is the rest of my crew? I can’t be expected to run this thing all on my own while they are off smoking.
I turned to walk into the next car when I heard the screams. The strangely familiar screams coming from the track ahead. Turning, I could see the shape of three children ahead on the tracks, one fallen over and the others tugging at him. I ran to the wheel, my eyes glazing over, pulling desperately at the brakes.
But something was wrong.
I could hear screeching sounds but the train did not slow down. Then, with a bang, something from the side of the train fell off, and the world began tilting. I scrambled on the floor, trying desperately to grab hold of something as the car turned onto its side. Fire licked out of the furnace and caught onto the pile of coal next to it. I watched in horror as the flames slithered toward the barrels of fuel at the back of the car.
Then…
…then what happened?
The smoke cleared. That was an incredibly lucky pass. Had the train not stopped…stopped? Why would I stop the train? I must have fallen asleep on the job. What a strange dream…all I could recall was heat and smoke. Thank goodness no one was around to see. I would have lost my job.
I turned toward the furnace to shovel more coal in. The heat should have filled the car, but somehow everything felt still. Empty. I glanced down at my arms, no longer painful from the burn marks earned over the years.
Where is everyone? Probably off wasting time smoking in the dining car.
But, they could also be on the tracks - why would they be on the tracks?
I shook my head, trying to clear the strange images of 3 children. I have no children. I’ve been alone so long, I don’t believe I know any.
I must be famished. I’m not hungry, but food will help keep my vision from fading in and out. I turned towards the door to go find a meal when I heard the screaming. Turning around, I could barely make out three faces out on the tracks - those very children.
…and we were about to collide.