Station Beyond Stars
At the precipice of existence, where galaxies collide, and timelines converge, there stood the Etheridge Station. Trains with designs as varied as the dimensions they hailed from chugged and whizzed, creating an ever-buzzing symphony of life.
Benedict, a thin man with graying hair and bespectacled eyes, had been an attendant at Etheridge for what seemed like forever. He had seen passengers from Renaissance Italy chat with 22nd-century spacemen and had witnessed beings of pure energy converse with creatures of shadows.
“Excuse me,” a soft voice brought him out of his reverie.
He turned to find a young woman with lavender-colored hair and deep brown eyes. “How may I assist you?” Benedict responded.
“Is this the train to the Jurassic era? I have a conference with the dinosaurs,” she inquired, showing him her ticket.
Benedict chuckled, “Platform 17B. Mind the velociraptors; they tend to be a bit nosy.”
The woman grinned, “Thanks! I always enjoy our chats.”
As she disappeared into the crowd, Benedict sighed. Despite meeting so many interesting characters, there was an ever-present feeling of longing within him. He had never boarded a train. Fear and duty always tethered him to the station.
His friend Cyril, a ticket conductor from the Victorian era, noticed his mood. “Penny for your thoughts, Benny?”
Benedict glanced at Cyril, “I’ve always been here, Cyril. Don’t you ever wonder what lies beyond these platforms?”
Cyril, adjusting his bowtie, responded, “Oh, I do. But you see, I’ve always believed that we’re here for a reason. The universe chose us for this task. We are the sentinels of time.”
Benedict contemplated this, “Perhaps. But for once, I wish to be a traveler, not just a mere spectator.”
Cyril smiled, “Then, why not? Take a leap. The universe is vast and endless. Explore.”
That evening, as the sun, or what seemed like it, painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, Benedict made up his mind. He went to the ticket booth where an entity named Zara, a swirling mass of stardust with a penchant for gossip, operated.
Zara looked up, or at least it felt like she did. “Well, well, if it isn’t the eternal attendant. What can I do for you?”
Benedict hesitated, “I wish to board a train.”
Zara’s nebulous form shimmered, “Any destination in mind?”
Benedict replied, “Surprise me.”
Zara chuckled, “Very well.” She handed him a ticket that looked blank. “It’s a ticket to somewhere. Only when you board will you know where it leads.”
Taking a deep breath, Benedict walked to a platform. A train, unlike any he had ever seen, a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, awaited him. The doors slid open, revealing an interior filled with a pulsating energy.
He stepped in.
The train began to move, and as it gained speed, the surroundings became a blur of colors, sounds, and sensations. Benedict felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration. The adventure he had yearned for was finally unfolding.
As the train delved deeper into the cosmos, a voice announced, “Next stop: Unknown. Prepare for an adventure, dear traveler.”
And with that, Benedict’s journey into the unknown began.
The kaleidoscopic swirl outside the train’s windows slowed, revealing a breathtaking landscape. Rolling hills covered in hues of violet and golden trees with luminescent fruit stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky was a canvas of shifting colors, interwoven with streaks of light that danced and played with one another.
Benedict stepped off onto a platform made of shimmering crystal. The air was filled with an otherworldly melody, and as he breathed in, a sense of serenity washed over him.
“Welcome,” a voice whispered softly behind him.
He turned to find a tall, elegant being. It had iridescent wings, eyes that mirrored the cosmos, and a gentle smile. “My name is Liora. You’re at the Nexus of Dreams. Not many get a ticket to our realm.”
Benedict replied, slightly overwhelmed, “It’s beautiful. But why am I here?”
Liora took his hand, leading him to a pathway lined with flowers that sang in harmony. “Every once in a millennium, our realm selects a visitor. You’re here to experience dreams and memories, both yours and those of the universe.”
They reached a majestic tree. Its trunk pulsed with light, and its roots reached out, intertwining with other trees, forming a vast network.
“Place your hand on it,” Liora instructed.
Hesitantly, Benedict touched the tree. A surge of memories flooded him. He saw his first day at Etheridge, the countless faces he’d encountered, and then, deeper still, he witnessed the birth of stars, galaxies merging, and the dance of time.
Tears streamed down Benedict’s face. “It’s overwhelming. I’ve seen lifetimes, the past, the present… but what about the future?”
Liora smiled, “The future is a dream yet to be dreamt. But come, there’s one more place I want to show you.”
They walked towards a serene lake, its waters a liquid mirror of the sky. “This is the Lake of Reflection. It shows you the heart’s true desires.”
Benedict looked into the water. Instead of seeing his reflection, he saw Etheridge Station. Cyril was there, along with many others, all looking worried and searching for him.
He realized, while the allure of the unknown was intoxicating, his heart truly belonged to the station and the friends he had made over eons.
Liora nodded, understandingly, “It’s time for you to return, Benedict.”
He nodded, tears still in his eyes. “Thank you, Liora, for this gift.”
With a soft touch, Liora sent Benedict back to the train, which soon chugged its way back to Etheridge Station.
When the doors opened, a crowd awaited him. Cyril rushed forward, hugging him tightly, “You had us all worried, Benny!”
Benedict smiled, “I went on an incredible journey, my friend. But I’ve realized that my place is here, amidst all of you.”
The station erupted in cheers. The eternal attendant had finally taken a journey of his own, only to realize that home was where his heart truly lay.
And so, Benedict returned to his duties, with a newfound appreciation for the wondrous universe and the station at its edge. But every so often, he’d look towards the horizon, a small smile playing on his lips, cherishing the memories of a realm beyond imagination.
