TRAIN FLIGHT

“Next patient please,” said a tall, young woman emerging stiffly from a dimly lit consulting room. Another woman, awkward and unsure of herself, stood up from a chair in the waiting room and followed the consultant into the room. The consultant heard the boss’ words in her head: “Remember, it is important not to refer to them as patients. They are clients.” “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?” she said after settling the visitor into a comfy chair. “Well I, suppose I’m just so stressed at the moment, what with work–the extra hours they ve given me. My husband isn’t able to get any time off work at the moment so he stay home with the children. I would normally of course but we need the second income because of all the fees and bills and tax and just... everything! Cindy, my youngest has just had some tests done and we’ve been told that she should go to a special school, which means higher fees and other costs. Max wants to start learning the guitar and I haven’t the heart to say no. And Caleb, my eldest is supposed to be going on this trip with his football team up to the Gold Coast–I just don’t know how I’m supposed to cope. We’re running out of money fast!” She sighed a big, stressed, sigh. The woman nodded sympathetically and spoke in a calm, breathy voice. “Yes. I understand your predicament.” She got up and walked around to the front of her desk. “It is very stressful isn’t it?” Her voice was smooth and velvety–like she was trying to calm a spooked horse. She put her hand up to her glasses and slowly slipped them off the end of her nose. The worried woman continued. “Sometimes I wish it could all just go away. For all of it to just sort itself out without me having to do anything.” “Or even... escape it all. Get away,” said the consultant. “If only.” “Let your stress go, right now in this room. Imagine, you’re free. You have no responsibilities. No one is relying on you. You have nothing to do. You don’t need to feed anyone. You don’t need to drive the car anywhere. In fact, you have no car... you don’t need one.” “That sounds good. Problem is, all my problems are back as soon as I jump back in the car.” “You have no car. Remember?” The consultant then said in her soft and gentle voice, “Come through.” The woman opened her eyes and looked up. “Through to where?” The consultant was indicating an adjoining room with her outstretched arm and a kind, welcoming smile. “Another consulting room it’s, more private.” Once the client had walked through the inner door, the consultant stepped in with her and quietly closed the door behind her. And that’s when the blinding light and the terrible screeching started. That’s the moment when Linda Patterson’s life was left behind. * * * The Captain and Paulo were standing around on a grassy hill top, gazing around at the beautiful vast expanse of countryside. Evie Bamford was soaking it all up, wandering off and enjoying the sunshine. She seemed unaffected by the fact that the three travellers had no idea where they were. That something had gone wrong with the controls of the Train. “So if we’re not on your planet Captain,” said Paulo, “where are we exactly?” “Well I hate to fill you with anxious doubt and insecurity,” replied the Captain, “but I have absolutely no idea. I mean, usually when I land on a strange planet, I could give you a rough idea of at least what galaxy we’re in. But I regret to say, I can’t for the moment. We were meant to have landed on my home planet but... this is nothing like my home.” “This place is beautiful though.” “Exactly. Definitely can’t be my home.” “So what do we do?” “Let’s get back inside the Train and see if we can get it back on track.” Then he called, “Evelyn, come on, let’s go!” There was no reply. “Evie?” called Paulo. “Look,” said the Captain, relieved but slightly perplexed. “There she is.” “What’s she doing?” Evie was walking down the hill, holding a flower, taking slow, even steps. It’s so beautiful here, she was thinking. I think I want to stay here forever. So peaceful. Quiet. Tranquil. Peaceful. What’s that beautiful sound? I want to be near it. “Evelyn!” the Captain called, cupping his hands to his mouth. She kept on walking, like she was in some kind of trance. “I’ll go get her,” said Paulo and took off down the hill. Not long after, the Captain stopped him abruptly and yelled, “No, stop Paulo! Get away!” Paulo’s eyes widened with terrified alarm. They were both looking at a strange sort of glow, pulsating all around Evie’s body. It got larger and larger and then came an ear-piercing screeching sound. What a perfect place. The air is so fresh. The ground is so soft. I want to live here. I want to touch that sound. I want to drink it! The Captain and Paulo were covering their ears. The light was so blinding, they had to cover their eyes too. But Evie was captivated. How can a place be so lovely? I love it. I love it. I want to get closer. Closer. I want to dance. I want to bathe in this place. Let me closer. Closer! The sound stopped. Paulo and the Captain slowly looked up. The light, the sound, everything was gone. Including Evelyn. “Where did she go?” The Captain stood up, frowning worriedly. He looked all around. The Train was still there, but this beautiful, calm, peaceful place now had an eerie, disturbing silence about it. There was one thing terribly wrong with it. It seemed to have just swallowed up Evelyn!