The feverish tones of the root of Valerian traveled via ancient channels through my body before bed. The tea was hot, and the scent of sour Earth encased me. I fell suddenly and deeply to sleep where I awoke in a future world where humans were prevalent but humanity was hard to find. I was on a train, headed en route to nowhere, circling and circling again, the remnants of a shameless city. I asked for the conductor, and no one knew his name.
I asked for a list of destinations, and no one could tell me of any. I began to assume no one cared, and they were pleased with their pointless and endless trip within the filthy train cars. I suddenly felt empowered by their lack of will to ask such obvious questions about their existence. I told everyone that I was getting off soon, at the next stop. The reaction was that I would be on my own, and that I'd have to risk getting off at my own peril, as the train never stops. I walked to the nearest doors, and pondered my lunge out into the real world. I sensed the Valerian in my blood, and asked for guidance. She reminded me of the powers of the mind, and how I could create my own world. I pushed open the train doors that led outside, and watched as the blurred city rang past me. The sight was dizzying and I began losing my balance, when I suddenly saw a platform, moving at the same pace as the train, but slightly slower. I dove onto it and rejoiced at having escaped the train. I looked back and saw tiny black heads of the people within, barely bobbing. They were lost. I felt strength in having the freedom they never even long for.
Another platform approached me to the left, and I jumped toward it and landed safely, still moving quite fast, I wondered how many platforms I'd have to jump to ever reach stand-still. Another one approached, and another, and another until they all lined up for me. I decided to lie down and roll across them all, to the final hard and still sidewalk. After what seemed like hours of spinning blindly, I was still. I could hear my breathing, and I could hear the birds. The sky was filled with them and as they swept the air with their wings, my dizzy head became calm. After their chirping ceased I eyed the horizon, seeking out some signs of activity in this dying city. I noticed a faint sound coming from far away and I decided to walk toward the tallest building I could find. I noticed from afar, a few lights flickering within, and figured it would take me at least thirty minutes to get there. Then, at that moment, a shadow greeted me. It was a large vehicle with a short and small driver. I knew that I was to take over and replace him. He got out of the car and left the door open for me. He started off toward the train depot, where I noticed a crowd gathering.
The car was well built, the ride was smooth, and the streets were empty and wide. I could drive at any speed and there were no police on duty in sight. I finally grew keen to the all powerful tires and took jumps off of hills and ramps, all while steadily gaining speed. I wasted a few hours around the city like this, embracing the adrenaline like an new best friend. I looked out of the rear view mirror and saw the tall building. I had passed it miles ago. I turned around in the middle of the street, riding onto the curb and closely skimming the concrete wall in front of me. I was headed toward life, all of it that was left in this broken down city. I would meet the individuals that were left behind here, or those that chose to stay. Only I wouldn't realize just yet, how they all prayed they could be on that endless, circling train. The one that I so longed to get off of.
To be continued...
“Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one;
I asked for a list of destinations, and no one could tell me of any. I began to assume no one cared, and they were pleased with their pointless and endless trip within the filthy train cars. I suddenly felt empowered by their lack of will to ask such obvious questions about their existence. I told everyone that I was getting off soon, at the next stop. The reaction was that I would be on my own, and that I'd have to risk getting off at my own peril, as the train never stops. I walked to the nearest doors, and pondered my lunge out into the real world. I sensed the Valerian in my blood, and asked for guidance. She reminded me of the powers of the mind, and how I could create my own world. I pushed open the train doors that led outside, and watched as the blurred city rang past me. The sight was dizzying and I began losing my balance, when I suddenly saw a platform, moving at the same pace as the train, but slightly slower. I dove onto it and rejoiced at having escaped the train. I looked back and saw tiny black heads of the people within, barely bobbing. They were lost. I felt strength in having the freedom they never even long for. 
