Beyond the Volcano

/ Liz H-H
Outside train station in summer, no train arrived yet

© Ayr/Gray

Tickets for the early train to Claris City spewed from the printer with a high-pitched whine, one after the other in twos for couples, four for young families, and the occasional single for the middle-aged women, purse draped cross-body, sporty sandals or high-tops broken in and ready for an active day away from the smoking volcano.   

Suzy was beyond smiling, beyond wishing the travelers a safe trip, beyond eye contact, except for the dead-eye stare she’d give the occasional  complainer; she’d saved up enough money, knew what the volcano was going to do and when, and was disgusted with the sheer fecklessness of those who left, only to return by nightfall to this tacky little town by the side of the two-lane highway.

She was taking a pass.

When the train pulled into the station, brakes hissing and boxcars rattling (because the town, so far on the edge of the civilized world, took both cargo and riding customers), Suzy shoved the pile of tickets across the linoleum counter to an open-mouthed customer, and slammed the window closed.

The screened back entrance door rattled and smacked against the train station wall, then astonished, shivered its way back to closed after Suzy burst through, backpack thumping against her narrow back, pale legs churning their way to an empty boxcar and freedom from the sameness of just being there.

*** (Unicorn Challenge can stop here) ***

Later, legs swinging rhythmically through the open door of an empty boxcar, she sat nibbling a PB&J sandwich on wheat, watching the sun set beyond Claris City limits and the fumes from the exploded volcano, a shining unicorn galloping alongside the train in celebration of her escape.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2024)

Again two challenges: Write a story in exactly 6 sentences based on Denise’s one word prompt: PASS Visit, comment, and write & post your own on Six Sentence Stories,  AND  From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (02/16/2024). No more than 250 words in length.

23 thoughts on “Beyond the Volcano”

  1. Ah, the glorious sensation of freedom, of breaking the bonds of the expected, of taking the reins!
    You express the frustration and the sense of freedom both, Liz, in this ‘escape’ story.
    I’m so sorry, I didn’t see the story last week and am only reading it now.
    It’s been a bit of a week!

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  5. If ever there was an excuse to leave town for a new life somewhere else, a volcano on the brink of erupting is a darned good one, Liz.
    I could feel Suzie’s exasperation and frustration and finally her sense of satisfaction for having taken the first step.

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  8. That moment of decision, where she shoves the bunch of tickets at the astonished customer and just heads on out of there. I love it. Especially with a volcano in the background – that’s some motivation.

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