It was a different kind of darkness we entered, not just the simple darkness of night. A darkness that spoke of danger. The world rolling by my window was turning pitch black. It was not a night to be outside.

I was on my way to the city of Orange. And as the train rolled on towards the south of France a heavy rain started. It washed over the window to completely block out the night.

There was nothing to see outside anymore and I had no reason to still stare at the window. The car’s hallway was deserted, everyone probably sound asleep. I knew I should go back to my compartment, but something held me back.

When the first bursts of lightning flashed far to the south I sensed a close presence. It was an ephemeral presence, nothing solid. But before I could turn, a lightning bolt struck close by, its brilliance filling my hallway with dazzling glitter. For now I was blinded. As darkness returned a slight pressure against my right told of another being next to me, a female body, soft and warm. A moment later she was molded tightly against me as if she wanted to have every pore of her skin in contact with me.

Out of the darkness a small white hand appeared in front of my face. A tiny forefinger touched my lips as lightly as a feather. Do not talk the finger demanded, be still and wait. The finger had a companion, a whispered word. Just one word, ‘Monsieur’. It carried several shades of meaning, but mostly it said ‘please’. Please be patient, have compassion, be understanding, be loving, hold me, smell me, touch me.

Her soft hair brushed my neck like a lover’s caress. It smelled of fresh air and sunshine, of trees and of flowers. The scent of her body bathed me in a cloud of sensuous feelings. I was mesmerized and stood still with her warm body molded to mine.

The flimsy blouse she wore let me feel every one of her heart beats. Later I would wonder, when did my arm snake around her to hold her, when did my fingers creep forward, as if commanded by her, to draw circles on her soft breast. She shivered slightly as my fingertip caressed her nipple, and she pressed against me even closer.

Much later the train started to slow, entering a town. There was a quick sinuous movement and my head was held tight between her hands. Her lips found mine, they were cool and hot at the same time. And for a moment an insistent tongue explored the inside of my mouth.

One second later I was alone in the hallway and only her fragrance remained. I shook myself trying to wake up. Did I just hallucinate? Was there really a live, warm body cuddled in my arms just a moment ago?

Yes, there was. The lingering sweet burning sensation on my lips told me so.