"The lunatic has a death wish. Well, Morrison," Count slapped my back. "You're going to have your hands full."
I sat silently, watching Shannie. She was in the zone; her pace quickened, walking along the handrail as if it were a sidewalk. I admired her grace. When she reached the end of the trestle, she vaulted off the rail. Shannie flew through the air, her long hair raced behind her. As she neared the ground, her shoulders straightened as she extended her arms and cupped her hands downwards, as if two handfuls of air would slow her fall. She landed on the stone bed next to the railroad tracks, her knees flexed forward arresting any remaining forward momentum - a perfect standup landing.
A low rumble came from Black Rock Tunnel. "Hey Shannie, It's your lucky day," Count quipped. A westbound freight thrashed through the tunnel. Shannie ran towards us, a smile plastered across her face. The blue Cyclops emerged from its cave groaning loudly, shattering the midday calm. "Come on," She pleaded. "Lets run it."
"Do what you want, I gonna meet my fate meaningfully," Count said.
"Come on James, get up!" She cried.
I leapt to my feet and chased my blonde siren.
"Run!" She smiled over her shoulder. The earth shook beneath our feet. "Run! Fast! Come on, Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster!" she screamed, her voice swirling in the wind. "Feel it?" she shrieked. Feels great! Just great!" she laughed, her hair dancing behind her. Her laughter pierced the freight's roar. She reminded me of a salmon swimming upstream. I ran faster, wanting her hair to wash over my face. I needed to smell its freshness - its blossom. Then it was over; the wind replaced by midday stillness. The clank of metallic wheels faded into the distance. Shannie's hair rested upon her back. Dust and grime that blew out of the tunnel with a cyclonic whirl settled around us. I watched as Shannie kissed me with her excited eyes; I returned the favor. I wished for the courage to feel her lips with mine.
"If you two want privacy, say the word," Count said lumbering towards us. Shannie's spell broke. She winked. "Thanks Just James," she whispered.
"For what," I questioned.
"For trusting me." she evoked the magic of our first day. "Let's run the tunnel. We don't have to worry about banshees."
I watched Count and Shannie precede me into the belly of the whale. Fooled by the illusion of light at the far end, my friends, mere yards ahead slipped into oblivion. I took a deep breath and stepped in. Cool, dank air smacked my face. Water dripped all about. To the sides of the track, puddles lay here and there. In front of me a shadow moved. Elsewhere rats squealed. I took one step at a time; left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. The sounds reverberated off the uneven stone walls, blending together in damp, black horrors - a symphony of the grave.