Valhalla
There I was, traveling by train to the ancient town of Valhalla in eastern Europe. I was alone for this trip. My purpose was single minded. I wanted a shot of the small town as we were passing through. My objective was to step onto the back of the train and snap a once in a lifetime picture of the old town with many fantastic and mysterious stories surrounding its existence.
So finally, after many hours of non stop traveling, we began the long descent to Valhalla over steep tracks along the edge of a mountain side sitting 16,500 ft up above the clouds. As we cut through the dense, dreary cloud layer, there it was…beautiful, spooky, ancient and so overpowering that I almost couldn’t pull my eyes away.
As I made my way back to my room on board the train, I realized what I needed to do was exactly what many before me had tried, and failed at. I suddenly fell to my knees weeping at the despair of the situation. After I recovered, I arose and with every ounce of determination, I finally reached my room.
Closing the door behind me, I went for my camera bag and quickly opened it, and pulled out my camera. This was it. I began loading film, checking my flash and took a test shot…really a self portrait if you will. It might be my last.
I began to feel the train slowing down, knowing it would not stop completely, but rather coast through the decrepit old place. Knowing that it was time, I started my journey towards the back of the train. Soon, I had reached the last train carriage. I made my way over to the rear door and slowly…almost trepidly, timidly opened it.
Slowly…creaking ever so slightly, the door swung outward. Outside was a small ledge on which to stand. Stepping out onto the ledge, the train bounced violently, and I hade to grasp the cold iron railing as the camera almost flew from my hands. There it was.
Valhalla. Land of myth. Strange things happened in places like this. For one thing, all the people had disappeared years before. No one knew why. I certainly wasn’t going to stick around to find answers either.
I began lifting the camera to my face. As I looked through the camera and began to focus on the town, I noticed a shape off into the distance. It was more like a presence really. Dark, forboding and massive. All of a sudden it started towards me! I knew it saw me. I tried to take my picture…I had to take this picture! As I began clicking the button, I felt this overwhelming sense of despair enveloping me. Quickly…almost in the blink of an eye, I forced myself back to reality.
Just as I made my way back into the train and closed shut the door of the carriage, all light became dark. I knew I was safe though. I had escaped the evil of Valhalla. The world would now see what no other was able to accomplish. I took the only known pitures of Valhalla and lived. I was safe.
Just then, the train began to slow down again. What was happening? I got up and turned around to make my way back to my room, but heard a distinct click and creaking sound. The door was opening again……
©2006 HeadHoncho
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