Rhythm – rhythm of the night – kept running through my head as I tried to – willed myself, to sleep.

 

and there is something to be said for constancy….for the repetitive meter of a sound – especially a comforting sound. It had led me deep into dark and disturbing  passages - tunnels of dreams.

 

But then, feeling that I was awakening to this sound – groggy, –  as I clawed myself back up into the light,  surrounded by dark, totally confused.

 

I struggled to right myself, but my arms weren’t working. Well, they were working – just not doing as I wanted them to…….

 

the sounds of the train faded in, faded out – I was woozy, sleepy.

 

‘This isn’t right’, I said to myself. ‘Something is definitely wrong here….

 

My mouth felt like the bottom of a birdcage – gritty, woolly – puffy and overly sensitive.

 

Turned my head to look out the window. Saw only my reflection mostly – and blackness.

 

I rested my forehead against the cool glass and became aware of sharply defined shapes hitting against the window.

 

‘Snow! Snow? How the fuck?  Snow? It’s August…’, my rational brain (or what was left of it said……) 

​

But then my vision re-balanced itself and I could see something reflected in the window glass –  close beside me – off to my right side.

 

Pulling back I attempted to move to get out of the seat. But I couldn’t. I was chained – manacled to the metal frame. 

 

As I struggled, it – appeared. Standing in the aisleway, a pump action shotgun levelled at me,

 I was told , ‘Stop fussing – you’ll only get yerself killt’

 

It was all too fucking weird ‘cause, for one thing it was a woman speaking but she was dressed in a full-blown clown’s costume.

 

‘Settle back – enjoy the ride – what’s left of it’, she said. And giggled.

 

I slammed my head back against the seat. Took a deep breath.

 

‘So - what’s the chances of getting a coffee at least?’, I asked