A short story

Since for the last few days I've been doing short poems and limericks I decided to give you guys a story. I really have meant to do this for quiet some time.

I feel like this could be part of a bigger story for some reason...


Train of Strangers


The gentle click-clack of the trains wheels on the track was maddening. Kenneth couldn't get a good nights rest with all this racket.

It had been 2 days of travel on this train and he hadn't slept a wink. He got up and walked to the dining car. The train had a 24 hour bar. It was late enough that train security would have forced any hooligans out of the car. He ordered a glass of scotch and sat at the window looking out on the blackened landscape whipping past. He sipped is scotch and stared out while the click-clack of the trains tracks echoed in his mind.

As he took another sip of his scotch he thought back on his travels and how he got to where he is now. Kenneth started out as a traveling journalist for an online magazine. His job was mostly to travel to fancy vacation spots and write up reviews of the top restaurants and hotels. Sitting the lap of luxury, being waited on hand and foot, it was hard to write a bad review ever. He hated it.

Kenneth liked to travel but more to see cultures and experience things he wouldn't normally see. He didn't like traveling from resort to resort, so when he was given the chance to do a cross Europe expose, he leaped on the chance. Only problem was he got on the wrong plane, ended up in Russia, and is now working is way backward toward Europe.

Kenneth had been traveling for a few years now. He was starting to get used to not knowing where he would end up next and who he'd meet. He was always relying on himself. Part of the reason he started traveling was because liked not knowing what came next. The lonely nights, on the other hand, were another story. Kenneth disliked not having someone to share his day with. Even if it was just someone he talked to once a week he'd be happy. Just having something be constant for a change.

That's when a woman walked into the dining car. She ordered a Gimlet. He couldn't help but stare. She was the kind of lady that emanated elegance. Poise poured from her as she gracefully strode across the car and sat in the corner adjacent to Kenneth. He didn't think about it, he just stood up, scotch in hand and followed her.

"Hi." he said rather gruffly.

"Hello." She smiled back at him. Even just sitting there she radiated class.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"Sure. I'm Hayley. Hayley Kavanagh."

"Kenneth." He sat down across from her and took a sip of his scotch.

"So, Kenneth. What's keeping you awake at this late hour?" She smiled and sipped her drink stylishly.

"I'm a travel writer. I go to different vacation spots and write reviews about them." He clumsily sipped at his scotch.

"Do people often vacation on trains?" She jibed. Kenneth blushed.

"No, I sort of took the wrong plane. I'm supposed to be traveling across Europe."

Hayley laughed. It was like the laugh of angels. Kenneth thought he must be in love with this woman.

"Well, thats unfortunate. At least you get to see Russia."

"Yeah. So why are you traveling?"

"Who said I was traveling?"

Kenneth looked down at his scotch and swirled it around. It was just to cover that he was ashamed he had assumed this beautiful creature was traveling.

"I am traveling. I'm trying to find myself actually. Not sure what to do." She looked out the window. The light of the cabin seemed to dim with her demeanor. "I lost someone close to me recently." she whispered.

"I'm sorry to hear it." Kenneth reached across the table and put a comforting hand on hers. She smiled and the room lit up.

"It's ok. I'm fine. Just, looking is all."

Kenneth felt a mix of emotions at this news. How could someone so perfect have such a weight on their shoulders? It wasn't fair. Someone as ugly he was should have to deal with crisis like this. Instead he was just feeling miserable for himself while this angel sat across from him putting on a brave face and turning to the world in search of answers.

"Who was it, if you don't mind my asking?"

"It was my sister. My twin sister."

There were two of this celestial being?

"We were always really close. She loved to travel. She used to fly all over the world. Until one day she landed in Thailand, and I never head from her again."

"Maybe she just couldn't find a way to contact you." Kenneth wanted to see her smile again. Wanted to give her hope.

"No, this was years ago. She was always good at keeping in contact. Something happened to her and she's gone now."

Kenneth's face burned red. He took a swallow of his scotch to make himself forget how embarrassed he felt.

"Its amazing when you think about it, how someone can exist one day and then...." She trailed off. The room felt colder. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude but I'd like to be alone now, please." She turned and faced the window again.

Kenneth just quietly nodded and walked back to the bar. He finished his scotch and put it on the counter. He nodded to the bartender who gave him an indifferent stare. Kenneth opened the door between cars and took one last look back at Hayley. She hadn't moved. It seemed like all the glow of grace and beauty had faded to a dim glimmer as she stared with searching eyes out the window. Kenneth shrugged and walked back to his room.