Train Station Choice

“Have we met before?” 

I turned at the question, curious at who would be speaking to me. I’d been standing alone on the platform, waiting for the next train. An auburn-haired woman, petite with sharp-edged features, stood behind me. Her head was cocked slightly to one side, large blue eyes locked on mine. Her black and yellow sundress was almost scandalously short, the thin straps contrasting appealingly with her snow white skin. Fascinated by her elegant features and porcelain coloring, I stared as the sun played over her face and hair.  “Sir?”

“Oh,” I replied, feeling boorish as I flushed red. My mother would have smacked my hand for my behavior.  “Apologies, my lady, but I do not believe that we have had the pleasure.” I extended my hand. “Virgil Morris, at your service.” The young woman shook my hand. Her hands were rougher than I expected, her calloused fingertips scraping along the back of my hand. Her pale skin contrasted appealingly with the dark tan skin of my own. 

“Olivia Blake. I would swear that we’ve met, though.” She frowned at me, her full lips twisting into an adorable pout. “You wouldn’t happen to be from the Chesapeake area, would you?” 

I laughed lightly. “I am afraid not. My roots lie further north, just outside of Boston. I have traveled to the Chesapeake Bay area for my work, however, though I have never stayed long. I must say, your accent is admirably light for someone from that region.”

“Thank you, Mr. Morris,” Olivia said with a small smile. “I’ve worked hard over my years up North to shave off the worst of it. I do like a good drawl, though.” She stepped next to me and looked up and down the tracks. “It doesn’t seem like the train is coming, does it? How long have you been waiting, Mr. Morris?” She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and I melted a little on the inside. 

“Oh, not terribly long,” I replied. “Are you waiting for the train as well?”

“Oh yes. I’ve waited ever so long for this train.” She twirled around and bounced down the empty platform, her motions causing the sundress to flare in a titillating manner. Her motions transfixed me briefly, then I shook myself and hurriedly followed after her. 

“Ms. Blake!” I jogged for a moment to catch up to her, my longer legs quickly closing the distance. Jogging was not an activity I typically undertook, especially as the light charcoal suit I wore showed every drop of sweat. The young woman slowed as I drew even with her, smiling at me once again. Her smiling eyes once again caught me and it took a moment to reorient my thoughts. “Ms. Blake, may I ask you a question?”

“You’ve already asked one, but I’ll let you ask another,” she replied with a wink. I blushed a little at my faux-paux and fidgeted with my suit jacket for a moment before speaking. 

“Ah, yes, I suppose I did. May I inquire as to the location of your destination?” I mentally reviewed my statement and winced internally at the grammatical structure, but soldiered on. “I myself have no set destination and wish to continue our conversation for as long as you shall allow me. I have enjoyed our short time together.”

“I’ve enjoyed our talk, too, Mr. Morris,” the pretty woman replied, her smile dimming slightly. “As for where I’m going, I’m not really sure yet either.” Her eyes became a little stormy. “I know I’m ready to move on from here, but I don’t really know where to go next.” She shrugged. “But I reckon that going with you is as good an option as any!”

I smiled down at her, relieved that she also enjoyed our conversation. I couldn’t help but feel a degree of sadness for her change in tone as she spoke of not knowing where to go. “Well, perhaps we can find our way together. Let us sit and wait for the train.” 

Olivia smiled at me, her body strumming with happiness. She skipped to a nearby bench, taking a seat and patting the spot next to her. “That sounds wonderful! Tell me about yourself, Mr. Morris. Or may I call you Virgil?”

The brazen request took me aback. I pulled at my collar for a moment as I sat stiffly beside her. “Tha- that would be improper.” I took a deep breath. “However, as there is no one else here, I will permit it, so long as you allow me the same privilege.” I felt blinded by her smile when she nodded in agreement. “Very well, Olivia.” God, just saying her name was intoxicating. 

“Yay! Virgil, tell me about yourself. What’s your job?” 

“I sell paper and assorted related products,” I replied, distracted by the rather enticing movement her happy bouncing movements caused. “Um, I am a traveling salesman contracted for several different companies.”

“Oh, that sounds fun! Do you get to meet all sorts of interesting people on the road?” 

“Oh yes, I have met many interesting folks all over this great nation. I could tell you such stories…” I began regaling the young woman next to me with stories about the many people I have met over my years traveling around the country. While I spoke, my eyes wandered the young woman’s body, taking note of her curves emphasized by her sitting position and the tightness of her sundress’ top. I could not help my eyes darting down as she leaned forward, placing one hand upon my knee while the neck of her sundress hung open. I saw her unbound chest and my eyes darted up to meet her eyes, my cheeks flushing a bright red. 

Olivia had a knowing smile on her face as she pulled back, though she left her hand on my knee. “So you really have been everywhere, huh? Anywhere that makes you want to go back?”

“No, nowhere in particular,” I replied. ‘Anywhere you go,’ echoed in my mind, however. I was stunned by the suddenness of my feelings for this woman. I had met many women in my travels, had daillances with several beautiful women, but none struck at my heart like this woman. It was insane, but I felt like I would do anything to stay beside her, to make her happy. “And what of you? What do you do for work?”

“Oh, I dabble in this and that,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I’ve wanted to travel for so long, but I wasn’t in a position to go until recently.” She turned those big blue eyes back to me. “Maybe I’ll need a good tour guide.” A sly smile played along her lips. I quickly licked my lips and took a big swallow. 

“Of-of course. I would be delighted to be your tour guide. Wherever you would care to go in this wonderful country of ours, I am sure I have some knowledge to help guide us to interesting places.” As I spoke, I suddenly heard the faint sound of a train engine from the north. “Speaking of which, I believe that is our train now.”

“I hope so!” Olivia cried out, grabbing my hand. “I’m excited! Let’s hurry so we can get a good seat!” She pulled me to my feet with surprising strength and kept a hold of my hand to drag me toward the oncoming train. 

The train slowed as it came to the platform, the plumes of engine steam billowing out of the smokestack. It was an entirely black train, an older model that I was used to. The engine was soot-covered black iron and the cars looked as though they would not be out of place in Agatha Christie’s Orient Express. Large with brass fittings and many windows, they were wholly unfamiliar to me even though I have been a frequent train rider for years and years. They were painted the same black color as the engine with golden letters stenciled above the windows. I couldn’t quite make out the faded words before Olivia dragged me onto the now-stopped train. 

“Let’s get our seats!” She exclaimed. pulling me down the aisle. I marveled at the interior of the car. Instead of the double chairs that I was accustomed to, the seats that Olivia dragged me past were large ornate chairs bolted to the floor. They were red with gold trim, each looking like they would not be out of place in the parlor of Mr. Rockefeller or Mr. Carnegie.

“Are you sure we should be up here? My ticket is for…” I trailed off as I searched my pockets for my ticket, coming up empty. I was distracted by Olivia stopping suddenly, turning to face me. I crashed into her, knocking us both to the ground. At the last moment, I managed to get one arm under her head to prevent a head injury, but my full body weight pressed against her petite, curvy form. My face erupted into the flames of embarrassment as I leapt up, stammering apologies. 

Olivia laughed as she stayed on the floor, blonde hair splayed out enticingly and her sundress in an almost artful state of disarray. She reached up for me to help her stand, still laughing heartily. Once on her feet, the small woman kept her hold on one of my hands to continue dragging me to a set of chairs positioned at the midpoint of the large car. She pushed me into one chair and plopped into the other, crossing her legs and crossing her hands over the top knee. “So I wonder where we’re going!”

“Our tickets should have a destination on them…” I said as I began to pat my pockets once again. I frowned as I could not locate where I placed my ticket. I always tuck my ticket into my top jacket pocket, in the same place every time. I had lost more than one ticket in my youth before I developed my system, so I was exceptionally careful about sticking to it. I took off my fedora to check if I had tucked it into the band unthinkingly, but found nothing. I looked up and saw two tickets in Olivia’s hand, held up to a conductor that I had missed walking up. “Oh. Is that my ticket?”

“Yes, Virgil. It fell earlier, when we took our little tumble, so I just decided to hold on to it now that we’re travel buddies,” Olivia said with her brilliant smile. I relaxed at the explanation. That made sense. The ticket was never terribly secure in my top pocket, it was always a wonder it did not fall out more often. 

“Where did they say we were going?” I asked. 

“It’s a southbound train,” she said with a smile. “Headed homeward for me.”

“Oh, there are many beautiful places in the Chesapeake area! If that is home, perhaps you can show me some of your own favorite spots.” Her smile widened as she nodded. 

“I sure will. Hang on, this train moves a little fast.” 

I blinked, but nodded. I glanced out the window, noticing a man in a white suit standing on the platform we’d just left. His face was tan and weathered with graying black hair. His face was sad, staring unwaveringly into my eyes as a tear began to well up in one green eye. Something in my soul longed to stand with the man, to run off the train and join him. I looked back at Olivia and recoiled.

Her face changed. It was now more angular and sharp, her cheekbones now almost knife-like, and her skin had taken a marble sheen. Her smile held sharp fangs and jagged teeth while her eyes burned with an inner flame. “What- Who are you?! Where is Olivia?!”

“I am Olivia,” the creature said with her deranged smile. “Don’t you recognize me, baby? You were so eager to travel with me, after all. I just thought you should see what’s under that ‘pretty face’ that fascinated you so much!”

“What- what is happening?” I tried to scramble out of the chair, to get away, to do something, but I was stuck in place. My legs were strapped to the chair by glowing red bands as more bands burst out of the arms and back of the chair to wrap around me. 

“Didn’t you think it odd that no one else was on the platform with us? That you had no clue what train you were waiting on? Or that me, the woman of your dreams, suddenly showed up?” Her face lit up with demented joy as my eyes widened in realization. 

“Unhand me, demon!” I whipped my head around frantically, eyes searching for someone or something to help me. I locked eyes briefly with the man on the platform, but the train began moving quickly away from the station. “HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!” 

Olivia started laughing harder as I cried for help, sashaying to me in a mockery of her former walk. “Scream all you like, my love. You’ll be doing it for a long time.” 

“WHERE ARE WE GOING?” I screamed, for no other reason than base fear. I had not felt such fear since the trenches of the Great War. “TELL ME, YOU FOUL DEMONESS!”

“Oh, you know where we’re going,” Olivia cooed, running one long-nailed finger along my jaw. She leaned in to whisper into my ear. “I said this was a SOUTHbound train, didn’t I? You’re headed down to my hometown, baby. And we’re gonna have a lot of quality time together.”

I froze as she touched me, fear turning my blood to ice. Memories started flooding back into my mind, stunning me faster than an artillery shell. I could remember the smell of gunsmoke from the gun that killed me. I remembered the face of the man who pulled the trigger after he discovered my wallet only held a few cents. The pain of the bullet and the coldness as I bled out on the sidewalk, surrounded by passersby who made no moves to help. “I died.”

“And that’s a score for the mortal!” Olivia cried out, pumping one fist like a hoodlum at a soccer match. “He finally figured it out!” She pointed at my face, her sharp nail a mere hair’s breadth from my nose. “You were killed in the street, but you don’t get to end up in the afterlife without one last choice! Northbound or southbound, you get to pick the train! Ol’ Green-Eyes was a little too slow, so I managed to get to you first!” She leaned down, close enough so I could smell her putrid breath. “And you’re my prize, Virgil Morris. A nice, juicy soul ripe for the torturing. Have fun. I know I will.” 

I sat motionless as the train continued barreling south, tears beginning to drip down my face. ‘I truly am going to hell.’ I lowered my head and fervently prayed, knowing that it would do nothing for me. It was too late for me. 

‘Did you explicitly say you wanted to leave on the southbound train?’ A voice echoed in my head, deep but quiet. I startled at the sound and looked around, my eyes wide. 

“What?” 

‘My child, did you say the phrase, I will go south with you?’

“No,” I said quietly, a sudden hope flaring in my chest. “No, I never actually said it.” 

Olivia turned from the chair she’d moved to after breaking my spirit. “What did you say, mortal?”

“I never said it,” I said again, a little stronger that time. “I never actually said it.”

“No, no, no, you fucking agreed to it! You said you’d follow me wherever I went!”

The deep voice that was in my head suddenly echoed loudly in the train car. “If he never made the choice, then that choice still lies open to him.” Olivia recoiled at the voice, spittle spraying from her mouth as she hissed. “Virgil Morris. Time is short. Do you wish to travel on the Southbound train?”

“No! No! I want to go on the Northbound train!” I shouted desperately, my heart thudding in my chest from the rush of hope. 

“The choice has been made,” said both the voice and Olivia, the petite demon’s marble face twisted in a snarl as she spat out the words. The bands holding me down suddenly melted away and a bright white light consumed me. 

I yelped as I landed on the floor of another richly appointed train car. The chairs, almost identical to the one from the black train, were cream colored and the walls were a soft shade of gold. The man from the platform sat in a chair beside my crumpled form, extending a hand down to me. I took it and allowed him to help me to my feet. His hand was callused and warm, a gentle strength that could have crushed mountains or cradled a child. 

“Welcome, my child,” he said in the same deep voice from before. “I am sorry that I could not save you the experience, but I am glad you have made your choice.” He rose from his chair and spread his arms wide. I collapsed into his arms, my tears falling hot and fast as I cried. The man in white comforted me until we pulled into a bright white station. There was a sign over the platform that said, ‘Eternal Lands. All are welcome here.’ 

The man led me from the train. “Welcome to the Eternal Lands, Virgil. You are home.”

I smiled as I walked under the sign to see my family on the other side. “I am home.”