The End of the Line

Chris began to question the wisdom of this trip. Then again, when you get a free ticket to see the end of time, it's hard to refuse. Especially when it's the grand opening of the "Final Destination," as they were calling it.

After many years and many time loops, the track layers of the Time Line had finally connected the previous last stop, "The End of the World," to the very end of time. There's the end of the world now, thought Chris, catching a glimpse through his window of the Earth imploding before it was lost to view, the Time Train zipping past it like a discarded gum wrapper.

"Gum?" said a woman's voice beside him.

"What?" Startled, Chris looked down at the woman's outstretched hand on which rested a stick of unwrapped gum.

"I can't stand chewing gum myself, but I like to collect the foil," the woman said, waving a wrapper in her other hand and flashing a toothy smile.

Chris grimaced. "Oh. No. But thanks anyway." He turned back to the window before she had a chance to continue the conversation. Or so he thought.

"The name's Sal," the woman said as she wadded up the unchewed gum and stuck it to the bottom of her seat. "But most people call me Sally. Is this your first time? Well, I guess it's all of our first time heading where we're headed, isn't it? Or is it? I can never keep this time stuff straight."

Oh great, Chris thought. She's one of those people who can't let a person travel in peace. "Yep, first time. And I don't mean to be rude, but I'd really like to savor the journey. So if you don't mind..."

"Oh, sorry!" Sally said. "Say no more. Say no more. I can take a hint."

Chris breathed a sigh of relief.

"But let me ask you something," she continued, brandishing her foil wrapper at him.

Chris whimpered.

"What do you think we're going to find when we get there? At the end of time, I mean. It's gotta be incredible, right? I mean, the universe came in with a bang, so its exit has gotta be out of this world, right?" Hungh, she snorted. "Out of this world. Get it? But really, what do you think?"

I think you've had a few too many of the complimentary drinks, Chris thought. But, mustering what patience he could, he said, "I really don't know. I mean, no one does, do they? We're going to be the first to find out. Even the track layers haven't seen it. But if I had to take a guess..."

Ding. The train's intercom interrupted him as the conductor made an announcement. "Attention passengers," the conductor said. "We are approaching the 'Final Destination.' This is the last stop. The end of the line. For your safety, we ask that you remain seated until the train comes to a complete stop. Parents, please assist small children while exiting. Thank you for riding the Time Train. We hope you enjoy the rest of time."

Sally pulled a shiny, lumpy ball out of her pocket and occupied herself with gilding on her gum wrapper for the last few moments of the trip.

Chris didn't mind the silence at all.