Dream Train

"Choo Choo!"

I hear that sound again.

I yawn, still half asleep, although I'm not really awake either. All I know is I am on this train and I don't know why!

The ticket inspector approaches me.

"Can I see your ticket please ma'am?"

There is a problem.

I don't have a ticket.

"What date is it and what time is it Sir?" I ask feeling dazed and confused.

"It is the 23rd February 1988." The inspector replies.

"How did I get on this train? I am sorry, but I don't have a ticket and I am sure I'm not supposed to be on this train." I ask and explain in one breath.

The inspector smiles at me and says,

"Never mind ma'am. Today is your birthday. This is a special day and I have information here that tells me you are an exception to the ticket rule."

I look at the inspector confused.

"Where are we heading?" I ask.

The inspector replies, "To your dream destination. The place you always wanted to go."

My biggest dream was to go to Georgia. I come from the U.K. so I knew that I would have needed to catch a plane rather than take a train. It would not be possible to get to Georgia by train.

I remain silent for a minute, lost in thought. I do not understand why I am here. The inspector told me that the date was 23rd February 1988 and that it was my birthday. This is a slightly true fact, only there is one problem.

In my reality, it is my birthday; though the year is 2022.

The question is why have I been taken back?

I ponder for a while, taking in the beautiful scenery outside my train window which is full of beautiful tall green trees and rich green fields. There are several train bridges dotted around with other trains on them.

I come back to reality. I think of my mum and then I remember.

23rd February 1988

'Today is my daughter's 1st birthday and it may be the last chance that I get to see her. This Disease does cruel things to children, robbing them of their precious parents who they need to cherish, love, nourish and guide t while they are growing up. However, now is not the time to wallow in the pit of self-pity. I always wanted my daughter to see beautiful Georgia, and this is the final wish I must fulfil before I die.'

A tear escapes my eye as I remember reading my mum's diary. I really miss my mum, and she wanted that trip so badly. Sadly, she never got to take me to Georgia because as my dad told me; on the morning of 23rd February 1988, the disease cruelly took over my mum's body and she passed away just as I turned a year old.

I suddenly jolt awake, realizing that this train has not stopped for a single day or night, not even to pick up passengers. It then dawns on me:

I am the only passenger on this train!

I suddenly feel a cold shiver running down the whole of my body and I hear a sweet voice calling me.

"Rayla! Happy birthday, sweetheart."

I don't recognise that voice.

I turn to the seat on the right side of me, and I see a sweet young lady sitting there with blonde hair, blue eyes and the sweetest smile.

She looks just like me!

It can't be...no! My mum died when I was very young. I don't even know what she looks like.

The lady fades away before I can speak.

Another lady suddenly appears in the seat behind me. She is old with long grey hair and she is petting a white cat on her lap.

"I hope you are looking forward to your trip. Your mum has been planning this for a very long time. Happy birthday, sweetie!" The lady tells me.

"My mum died when I was very young. I do not know what she looks like, and I have no memory of her." I tell the lady with tears choking the back of my throat."

"Your mum is right here dear! I am your grandma, your mum's mum. You are going to Georgia today, just as your mum planned." The lady explained and then disappeared.

The train seemed to be moving at double speed. Everything I saw out of the window was a blur.

The ticket inspector suddenly came back to check on me. I am not sure how he got to me, because I never saw him walk toward me.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" he asked.

I just shake my head, silently.

"All will be revealed once we get to your destiny. Don't worry you are safe here." He explained, before disappearing at the flick of a light switch.

My head hurt, though it didn't feel like real pain. It felt numb. I felt tired, though it was more of bizarre tiredness rather than real. I nodded off, but I was awoken by a loudspeaker over the tannoy.

"Welcome to beautiful Georgia, the home where dreams come true."

The nice lady suddenly appeared by my side again.

"Rayla. You must be back by midnight if you want to go home." The lady told me.

I replied with,

"I never want to go home mum. I want to be with you."

I stepped off the train, and the most amazing thing happened.

I recognized my mum and she suddenly became human again.

I hugged her with tears in my eyes, and we disappeared into wonderful Georgia, where dreams come true and you never step out of them.