The Spirit Train

“The train is coming today,” said Ren as she kicked a pebble down the sidewalk.

“Oh yes, the mystical train to whisk us away to a fantasy land,” I rolled my eyes at her.

“It’s real! I want to try it this time, I think.” She sounded hesitant, but her eyes looked eager.

I tried to convince Ren the rest of the way how silly it sounded. It was a legend in our small town that, once every five years, a train would come into the abandoned station and transport you to a world separate from our own. I wouldn’t trust a random train that shows up, especially at an old abandoned station; nothing good could come from that. By the time we reached our point to branch off towards our homes, I think she accepted defeat. She looked deflated, but I just wanted to keep her safe. We waved goodbye and said our usual see-you-tomorrow farewell.

…

I was eating dinner with my family when I just so happened to glance out our window facing the street at the right time. I saw Ren, who was hurriedly walking and clutching her bag close.

​“Excuse me, just a moment!” I flew up from the table and grabbed my jacket as I ran out the door. I heard my mother calling in protest, but I couldn’t lose sight of Ren. What was she thinking! She was surely going to the train.

I caught up with her, nearly out of breath, and I grabbed her shoulder. “Ren, what are you doing?”

“Ah! You scared me, sheesh. I wanted to check out the train, and I knew you’d try and convince me not to.” She pouted at me and gave me a wide-eyed stare.

“Fine,” I growled, “I’m going with you, though!”

Ren skipped giddily towards the old station while I grumbled heartless protests behind her. This was foolish, but at least it’d get this out of her system and erase the what-ifs. Plus, if we’re together, it’ll be okay.

We finally made it to the station just as the sun was setting. It was old and dusty, the platform creaked when you got closer to the tracks, and the wood was splintering.

“When is it supposed to come?” I asked Ren, who was beaming at me with excitement.

Before she could reply, the tracks rumbled, and a distant light emerged. It grew brighter and louder until hissing to a stop in front of us. Ren was practically bouncing while we waited for the doors to open. My stomach dropped a bit. The train was real, but where would it possibly be going?

“I don’t th-” the doors opening interrupted me, and Ren raced inside. I followed.

It was nice inside. Plush seats of velvet and mahogany tables. Ren found a seat, and I plopped down next to her. Almost immediately, a man in a fine suit rolling a cart approached us. “I am the Assistant Conductor on the Spirit Train. May I offer you some tea?” He set a silver tray on the table in front of us, pulled two silver cups from the cart, and set them on the tray.

“The Spirit Train?” I asked him, eyes narrowed.

He just chuckled and grabbed a steaming silver pot, then poured a sweet-smelling tea into our cups.

“Where are we going?” Ren asked excitedly and reached for her tea.

“You will see! The train only emerges if you believe, and if you believe, you will experience a magical place!”

“I don’t believe,” I grumbled.

“True, but someone with you does!” The man winked at me, then pushed the cart down the aisle, leaving us with our tea.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to drink that,” I told Ren, but she just giggled and took a sip, then two as if to spite me. I sighed and took a sip of mine. It was sweet, floral, and bold.

“This is so exciting!” Ren kicked her feet and finished her tea, happily looking out the window as the train lurched forward.

“This is stupid.” I did think it was stupid, extremely foolish in fact. But I had to admit it was thrilling in a way, and I did love that Ren was so open to everything in life. I couldn’t help but smile, looking at her.

After a little while, the scenery changed, and instead of trees, it got foggier outside. So foggy, you couldn’t see anything through it. My heart raced a bit, seeing the familiar forest had calmed me. I figured this was just a silly ride and we’d be home soon, but now I felt anxious.

​Suddenly, the train shook a bit, and the fog transformed into a colorful mist. Like an iridescent rainbow swirling around us. Ren’s eyes widened as she took it all in. My chest was clenched with fear. Where were we going?

…

What do you think of the story so far? Would you get on the train? Let us know in the comments below! Keep an eye out for part 2!

Thank you so much for reading!

–Clever & WTF