The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Crossing 
by Suzie Lockhart 

Donald

I stare blankly through the train’s frosted window as light snow blankets the landscape. It is a peaceful scene, however, does nothing to calm the unsettled feeling I have…leaving my daughter with that man.

Madly in-love the two were, Vivian had informed me.

So, naturally I traveled to meet her betrothed. My daughter was a gift later in life. Unfortunately, my lovely wife, Amelia had passed from tuberculosis, before seeing Vivian grow into a woman.

Thus, it was I alone, tasked with helping my only child prepare for upcoming nuptials. She’d only been away at school, studying to be a teacher, for three months when she met the ‘man of her dreams,’ a graduating biology major.

I clearly recall the instant my eyes met Roderick’s steely gaze; I knew he was not a proper man, certainly not for my little girl. Of course, at eighteen Viv was no longer a child. But this man…

Older than her, he presented himself as quite charming; a particular type of charm that belies a darkness beneath. Any rationale man of my age could recognize such an exaggerated facade. And he was cunning. Yes, Roderick was certainly quite cunning, as I discovered in the years that followed.

My daughter quit school after marrying that bastard. It wasn’t long until she was expecting their first child, which Viv miscarried at 16 weeks. Heartbroken and in a weakened state, I immediately booked a train again, to be at her side.

I believe it was fall, and there came an early frost…

The train whistle blows, and I hear the hiss of the steam. It breaks me out of my reverie. I look around the compartment, realizing with a start that I’m alone. I sigh, feeling as if I’ve been riding on this train forever.

My memory isn’t always as sharp as it once was, except when it comes to my wife Amelia, our Vivian, and that horrible monster she married.

Although he’d not yet wanted to start a family, my daughter assured me that he’d taken excellent care of her. Vivian told me how he’d made her breakfast, and a special blend of tea, every morning before heading to work.

The moment I saw my little girl, my heart was seized with pain exclusive to a parent. There was a pallor about her I found particularly concerning; not to mention she could barely get out of bed.

I searched for that ‘special’ tea blend, but initially found only sweet tea and honey. Being a tall man, I opened a cupboard higher up. After a moment, I found that tea. Special indeed.

I’d run an Apothecary for years, so I knew black cohosh and pennyroyal when I saw, and smelled, them.

I presented Vivian with my findings.

We fought.

She screamed at me to leave. I never saw my Vivian again. I just can’t remember why.

During the long train ride home, an early, heavy snowstorm raged. I continually relive the horror of a train rushing towards the one I rode…

.

Vivian

A train whistle blows

From around the bend;

My chance at love

Has reached its end.

One final blow in a moment of rage.

Thirty years pass before my eyes

Realizing the error of my ways.

Consistently too bold

for a life yearned to live

At first it was grand,

Those nights full of passion.

That turned to never-ending days

Until I’d nothing left to give.

Emptiness filled my heart,

As no children I’d borne.

Resigned to my fate,

time to take action

My marriage had failed

Thus no longer mattered.

My wish— to return home

My heart had been shattered,

Roderick nearly destroyed me

Hopes and dreams are scattered.

Through train window snow glistens

Creating an iridescent illusion

which hide hot tears of regret

Turned into snowflakes,

frosted and tattered.

The crossing of trains,

collecting souls as they die.

In that moment I see him—Daddy! I cry

I rush into his arms, so open and loving,

Sensations missed for so long.

That bond of belonging

I don’t care how he’d appeared

How he was here…

Sobbing in sorrow, he held me near

Assured me all would be well

As a tunnel of light

swirling snow does reveal.

.

Donald

My daughter! My world!

Absent from her, I’d been lost

I’d remained on this train

Many a long years!

Now together, I’m found,

Taking her hand

I see what matters:

Smiling as we walk

father and daughter

Into a void filled with peace,

Love and light;

We both leave what lies behind

Escaping the maw

of never-ending night.

.

Fiction © Copyright Suzie Lockhart
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

More from Suzie Lockhart:

Morbid Metamorphosis:
Terrifying Tales of Transformation

Metamorphosis occurs every day as caterpillars become sweet fluttering butterflies, tadpoles become gorgeous frog princes and chameleons become one with the beauty of nature – but you won’t find any of that here.

The transformations you’re about to witness are unnatural, sometimes gruesome and deeply psychological. They will make you question reality and take your mind places it was never meant to go.

Terrifying Tales of Transformation from Greg Chapman * Roy C. Booth & R. Thomas Riley * Terri DelCampo * Dave Gammon * Nancy Kilpatrick * Rod Marsden * Jo-Anne Russell * M.J. Preston * Stacey Turner * Tina Piney * Suzanne Robb * Franklin E. Wales * Donna Marie West * Suzie Lockhart * Cameron Trost * Daniel I. Russell * Simon Dewar * Amanda J. Spedding * Ken MacGregor * Erin Shaw * Gregory L. Norris * Nickolas Furr

Available on Amazon!