"On the right track" By Ben Goode 2017 (c)

My eyes barely open. Sounds from reality seeped in like water.

Partially awake, but also in a limbo of unconsciousness.

I knew where I was. But wanted to stay there.

Like an awaiting passenger at a train station, I knew I had to leave sooner or later.

Trains in my mind which ultimately lead to a destination of full conscious thought. But although I had a ticket, I let many trains pass me by. "All aboard, who's coming aboard!"

But I ignored it. Although the conductor was persistent.

Steam hissed impatiently from the train.

It was my own inner frustration.

But the piston rails of the trains engine shunted the squealing wheels forward.

And despite my absence. The train had to leave.

And i wanted it to. And maybe not come back at all.

I didn't mind. And time was irrelevant here.

I could still dream here, at the outer rim of reality.

Dreams were my reality here. And I didn't need company.

I could create more here.

An older man had walked on to the platform, and he sat next to me. I knew him as my wisdom. And he looked at me and smiled slightly. I didn't want to look at him though, cause i knew what he'd say anyway. But he said it all the same.

"You can't stay here, you know that." He looked at me, and I could feel his stare. He had always been persistent.

"I don't want to go back, I don't like what I have to wake up to. I'd be better off here. I'm not harming anyone. Nobody would miss me anyway." I said to him as I watched the train moving further away.

"Its a new day. You can't just keep waiting. Its not a dream or a conscious state here. Nobody is supposed to stay here that long. You have to move on to one direction or another. Now if you want to sleep more, and feel sorry for yourself, that's fine. But I can't be held up in my job waiting here with you in-between." Wisdom pointed out.

"Why not? I'm in charge. You work for me remember?"

I protested adamantly.

"Yes I know that. But what's eating at you? An apology, you're not willing to give? How hard is it? Its just two words!" Wisdom threw up his hands.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I admit I was wrong?"

"You were, with what you said!" Wisdom patted my shoulder with concern. "What you said, was not written by me. You went off script with your impulsiveness, and your anger, which I might add was no better than how your inner child would act. You were wrong, with what you said, and you know it. And I'm telling you, that you can't hide here. You can't keep acting this way.You know I'm right, because I am part of who you are. The part that care's about what you say and do. Now you can ignore me, and even walk away. But who are you then? You're better than that. You are. But you have to believe in yourself, and believe in the one's who love you, for who you are." Wisdom smiled again.

"But the train has already gone now. I've missed it!" I replied.

"No you haven't." Wisdom put two of his fingers in his mouth and whistled, and it caught the conductors attention. Who in turn halted the train.

"You'll just have to run to it now, and make an effort." Wisdom smiled at me, as I got up to catch the train.

"Now use your smart-card, and you'll get to where you need to go" Wisdom winked at me. I smiled at the pun, and ran to the train. I woke up that day to make my apology. And it wasn't that hard, as wisdom had said. I certainly felt better for it.

And I caught the train each day after that, knowing I was on the right track to staying true to myself.