Locomotive No. 5

The clunking of the railcars becomes more rapid. Smoke bellows from the engine’s stack as the surrounding scenery becomes blurred. My god, we’re moving too fast for the truss bridge ahead, I thought. As the panic set in, I froze, in shock. The locomotive whistle screams in despair. The trusses disappear. The floor drops out from below me. My head hits the railcar ceiling.

I awoke startled – heart racing – drenched in sweat. I felt dreadful. The hot sun beating down on me through the wavy, dusty glass of the railcar. What a horrific nightmare. Wait. Where – where am I? Confused and weary, I examined my surroundings. A railcar? Am I still dreaming? As I regained my composure, still in a bit of a daze, I realized I really couldn’t even recall my own name. A bulge in my vest against my chest now entered my awareness, discovering a gold chain as I peered downward. The golden chain shimmered in the sunlight, casting a bright glow on the seats in front of me. My pocket watch? I reached into my breast pocket for the watch. I pulled the small watch out of the pocket and pushed the release. The gold cover engraved with the image of a compass rose flipped open to reveal the watch face underneath. The stained, pitted glass featured a large crack, the gears behind it stood still. I put the watch to my ear. Silence. Now – how did I manage to break my watch? What is going on here!? I snapped the watch closed hastily and shoved it back in my pocket. I suddenly became aware of how parched I felt. I reached for my flask only to now discover my clothing. What I hazily recall was once a neatly kept vest meticulously matched with a button down shirt and tailored pants, was now tattered and dusty. What – what happened to me? Was I robbed? Panic started to set in. I had no recollection of how I got here. I hastily searched my pockets. I had hoped maybe they would reveal a clue. All I discovered, other than my watch, was a handkerchief with the name “Clyde” embroidered on it. Clyde – that’s my name. Clyde. Yes – that’s it! I was desperate for a ticket to have turned up in my pockets for this locomotive to help me discover where I was even headed to. I tried to stand up, but soon realized my limbs felt numb. I could barely even feel my body. Am I intoxicated? I hardly think so! It appeared I was alone in this railcar, so I decided to call out for anyone who may hear me. Instead of audible words, all that I could manage was a hoarse croaking noise. So thirsty, I need water. With all my efforts, I stumbled out of my seat and started making my way towards the front of the railcar. Above my head I noticed a sign above the door, stamped with the words “Union Pacific Railroad. Locomotive No. 5”. Outside the rail car, scenes of desert plains, and in the distance stood colorful stone giants of rust orange and shades of brown were rushing by. We must be approaching the badlands, I thought nervously, bandits are always out here! My hand dropped to my hip, grasping air. No pistol. I have no way to even defend myself against God knows what out here. My nervousness amplified. Through the dusty glass I could see a few passengers in the next railcar. All of them seemed to be sitting eerily still, no faint murmurs of idle conversation permeated through the thin walls. I grasped the door handle, hoping I was sturdy enough on my feet to move between railcars without injuring myself. I inhaled sharply and pulled the handle – locked. Wh – why is this locked?! I’m trapped in this car?! I attempted to soothe my nerves and logically make sense of why I was locked alone in this railcar. It was at this point I noticed the outside scenery becoming blurry. Are we moving faster? I moved hastily throughout the railcar, trying the windows. Alas, I discovered one that I managed to open halfway. I shoved my head out of the opening and gazed towards the locomotive engine. In the distance I see the valley break way to the cliffs, the gap managed by a wooden truss bridge. We’re moving way too fast for that bridge! Is someone chasing us? I tried to calm myself again. Relax Clyde, breathe. These are professionals, they know how to control this locomotive. As I watched the valley grow in size as we approached, the wind in my hair grew more aggressive, the scenery passing faster than before. I sprung from my seat, lunging towards the railcar door. The passengers – why aren’t they reacting?! Do they not know what’s to come?! With all my strength I pulled the door handle to no avail. I started pounding on the glass shouting to get someone’s attention. Anyone at all. None of the fellow passengers even flinched at the ruckus I was causing. Was earlier really a nightmare? This all feels so familiar. Am I still dreaming?! WAKE UP CLYDE! WAKE UP! I slapped myself across the face. I – I’m not asleep. My knees buckled as my body dropped to the floor. This is real. Did – did I somehow predict this? It cannot be happening. The clunking of the railcars became more rapid as the floor started to shake violently beneath me. Shaking, I peered out the open window. Thick, black smoke bellowed from the engine’s stack as the scenery becomes even more blurred. I sat frozen, unable to think, unable to move. I was in shock. The locomotive whistle began to scream in despair. The shaking grew more violent as the trusses began to give way to the weight and speed of the locomotive. Suddenly, with an earsplitting crack, I felt as if I were experiencing an earthquake as the rails ahead of us disappeared into the valley below. The engine, whistle still wailing, drops off the rails. Before I could comprehend what I was witnessing, the floor drops out below me so quickly, I was hurdled towards the ceiling. My head slams into the ceiling above. Darkness. Silence. Stillness.

I awoke startled – heart racing.