My Short Short for the Day

Ed stumbled down the hallway blinking his eyes rapidly trying to clear away the blurriness.  What was in that drink?  He didn’t think he’d had that much alcohol.  Usually he could hold his own for at least 4 or 5, but tonight, one was enough.  Whew!  Almost there.  He paused for a moment to steady himself.  A couple more rooms and he’d be at his cabin.  The train rocked gently as it sped down the tracks.  He used to love trains as a child.  Watching them.  Building them.  Drawing them.  Chasing them.  But this was his first time riding one.  He’d felt like a kid when he boarded back in San Jose.  Now he felt so old.  Rest.  That’s what he needed.  Just a short nap and he’d feel like his young self again.  Just one more door. 

“So, there you are, my boy!”  The gruff voice came from behind.

Ed leaned his back against the wall and slowly turned his head toward the voice.  He squinted trying to focus but could only see hard, dark eyes staring back at him.  “Do…do I know you?” 

“Sure you do, old chum.  Let’s get into your cabin there and have ourselves a chat.”  A rough hand clenched his arm while the other opened the door. 

Roughly Ed was shoved into the room.  He stumbled and caught his chin on the tiny table by the window.  He saw stars for a moment before the black of night overcame him.