The Platform by Donna Page 15/07/2021 ©

The Platform by Donna Page 15/07/21 © 

 "What the Hell," she thought, although, by the look on the face of the doorkeeper, she may have said that out loud.

The platform was full of people. Old, young, in-between.  There even seemed to be animals everywhere. Dogs bouncing around. Cats, licking paws, looking smug. Birds flitting around and Fish, seemingly floating in mid-air.  

All the animals were heading to the overhead bridge.  Brightly coloured in oranges, blues, greens, yellows, a veritable rainbow.  Of course.  The Rainbow Bridge.  It was real.

“No, it couldn't be, that would mean…”

There was a boom gate at the bottom of the stairs.  Any human that tried to get to this bridge was unable to pass, no matter how hard they tried.  Four legs, fur, fins, scales, and tails, they could all go on by.  She smiled; a feeling of warmth came over her.  For every small critter that passed over that bridge, the cloud it disappeared into go brighter.  

People jostled, just like they did at Central station.  They all seemed to be trying to be in front. Just like going to work, everyone wanted to get on the train first.  That was the last thing she wanted.  Turning around, she headed back toward the door.  There seemed to be several different doors on the platform.  All with different architecture.  All looking old and all very unfamiliar. She found the boarded-up door she walked through to get on the platform.  

She wasn't going anywhere, not yet, she was too young.  She had a life to live, adventures to have, worlds to explore.  Walking straight ahead, looking at no one else coming through, she was determined.  And bam!! A solid wooden barrier. How could that be? She had just glided through, and people were coming the other way toward her.  

The old lady who arrived on the platform beside her saw what she was doing. "Oh love, it's too late to go back.  Once you are through the door, you can't get back to the other side. It's gone. For good."

"No, it can't be, I want to go home" she cried "This can't be happening, it's a dream right."

She turned back away from the door, staggering, she needed to sit down.

“How can this be happening?” she cried into her hands “I need to wake up”

“No love, you can’t wake up, whatever you knew before is no longer there, its all gone” the old woman consoled.

“It was your time, the Fates cut your string."