
There was nothing remarkable about the settlement—a handful of cottages and a duckpond. Not even a station. The place flashed past outside the train window and then was gone.
Unremarkable except for one thing. One corner of the pond had reflected a sky that appeared to be—I can only say—elsewhere. It seems nobody else in the carriage saw it, though I made a nuisance of myself asking.
No sooner had I arrived at my destination than I offered my excuses and took the return train. For twenty years, I have tried unsuccessfully to find that settlement again.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

Dear Neil,
And he’ll always be left wondering, won’t he? Such is life.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some things it is not given to us to know
LikeLike
A strange mirage? Or a tease from another universe? I’d keep looking, things are looking dodgy for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It may be a Brigadoon
LikeLike
Maybe it was ( I was just about to type the word Brigadoon when I saw your comment) So now I’m plum out of witty responses… Great write though 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Violet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ghosts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thinking, James
LikeLike
Perhaps next year, they do say that all comes to he who waits!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a kind thought. Keith
LikeLike
I enjoyed your story of a mystical experience. Murakami has written such stories around trains and train stations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so mucj, Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
You have discovered how tricky those alternative dimensions are, impossible to replicate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly after the seventh
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love, ‘I made a nuisance of myself asking’. This character’s personality comes through phrases like that. A very nice snippet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Clare
LikeLike
Oooooooo
Fabulous
That poor man chasing a vision he’ll not see again.
That tantalising taste of strange. A terrifically crafted piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Laurie
LikeLiked by 1 person
twenty years was a long time. i doubt if he’d ever find that settlement again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It may not be findable at all
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed this eerie piece. Reminds me of a strange deja vu I once had on a bus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Angela
LikeLike
Maybe it was tricks of the mind? Nice story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Will
LikeLike
Sounds like something out of the “Twilight Zone”.
Spooky good fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep buying the tickets, says British Rail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You never know where they may take you
LikeLike