Edgar Allan Poe's Narrative Fiction

Edgar Allan Poe was seated in a dirty train headed to Baltimore. His head slumped against the filthy window, staring idly at the trees racing by. His head pounded at the thought of him having betrayed his good friend, James Moss. Being the kind soul he was, James had simply wanted to send Poe back to New York to lead a more successful lifestyle, but alas, Edgar had chosen to divert and go to Baltimore instead. He had been standing on Platform 9 for quite some time, when a spine-chilling impulse swept through him. Maybe it was last night's drinking that had caused it, but nonetheless he knew something was wrong. A drunken man is left with no sense in his shriveled brain, so he must trust his instincts. Trustworthy or not, he eagerly followed …show more content…
The cacophonous shriek of the halting train snapped Edgar back to reality. As the masses in the train hastily crowded towards the opening doors, Edgar stumbled to his untrustworthy feet. Glaring eyes turned towards him, mocking his uncivilized look, making him twist his face in disgust. Those disapproving looks reminded him of Virginia, who had been so disappointed when he stumbled home drunk, even when she was on her deathbed. She could not stand to hear his slurred catastrophe of words- as if he had thrown his life away completely. It was absolutely true that he had thrown his life away, and going to Baltimore was yet another mistake. It meant leaving being Sarah, his career, friends, and any hope there was of him recovering. He was determined to make moving to Baltimore a fresh start, a clean slate, after all the misery and woe he left behind in New York. He hobbled cautiously out of the train car and filled his lungs with musky, smoky Baltimore air. He took tentative steps, not trusting his legs to carry him. He was so weak, emotionally and physically. His mind was blank all of a sudden, and the corners of his mouth twitched at the thrill of starting a new, carefree life. Alas, that it would not …show more content…
Applebaum was walking towards her car when he caught sight of Poe. He was unconscious and since he was a mere kindergarten teacher, he could not tell whether he was dead or not. Rats scuttled around him, the sight of him was appalling. He gasped once he saw him and hustled towards him swiftly. Receiving no response from Edgar, he hastily summoned an ambulance to take him to hospital. Mr. Applebaum found Joseph Snodgrass’s contact information in a small book in Edgar’s pocket and was able to locate him. Edgar was dragged to Washington College Hospital, where doctors tried restlessly to cure him. He was unconscious, yet alive, for 10 hours. He awoke for a second to briefly announce his last words, “Lord, help my poor soul”. His eyes closed for the very last time and he could finally depart the world that had mistreated him