The Eternal Train

I awoke with a massive headache and the sound of the train wheels thundering against the track ringing in my ears. I sat up groggily, trying to remember how I had gotten here. The last thing I could recall was going to sleep in my bed, in my own home. But now, I was on a train, hurtling through the darkness at high speed.

I had no ticket and no memories of boarding the train. Was I sleepwalking? Or had someone put me on here for some nefarious purpose? Either way, I seemed to be stuck for the moment. I got on my feet and went down the aisle between the seats, looking for some conductor.

But there was no one on the train but me. And as far as I could tell, it showed no signs of slowing down or stopping anytime soon. So, finally, panic began to well up inside me, and I started running through the train, looking for an exit or some way to stop the train. But there was nothing.

Eventually, I collapsed in exhaustion onto a seat, with the terror and exhaustion warring inside me. What was going on? Where was this train going? And why did I have no memories of getting on board?

...

I awoke again, and this time it was daylight. My head was pounding, and I still had no recall of getting here. I looked around and saw that I was on Mars's surface. The train was headed towards a large city in the distance. There was no one else on the train with me. I had no clue where I was going or why.

As the train sped towards the city, I remembered bits and pieces of my life. I remembered my name, Alex, but that was it. I didn't know how old I was or where I came. The more I tried to remember, the more my head hurt.

Eventually, the train pulled into the station and came to a stop. I got off, unsure what to do or where to go. I looked around and saw that the city was bustling with people. They all seemed to be going about their day, completely unaware of me.

The sky was red and orange, glimpsing its reflection on the gigantic buildings made of steel and glass. There was no dust in the city and no vehicles on the roads. Everyone was walking on a straight path, like machines. There was no noise and no litter on the ground. I couldn't see any green plants or animals, just people walking in perfect order, wearing metallic suites.

I walked around for a while, trying to figure out where I could go or what I could do. But unfortunately, no one paid me any attention, and it felt like everyone was avoiding me.

Eventually, the night started to fall, and I still hadn't figured anything out.

I ended up finding a small alleyway to sleep in for the night. As I curled up in a ball, trying to stay warm, I heard footsteps approach me. A hand grabbed my shoulder, and someone spoke my name softly.

I opened my eyes to see a man standing over me. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. Finally, he told me he had been looking for me and would take me home. Relieved, I went with him without any hesitation.

It wasn't until we were outside the city that I realized something was wrong. The man wasn't taking me home; he was taking me back to the train station. When we arrived, he pushed me onto the tracks as an oncoming train approached.

At first, I couldn't believe what was happening. I thought it must be some sick joke. But then I saw the look in the man's eyes, and I knew it was real. He was going to kill me.

I tried to scramble off the tracks, but it was too late. The train was already bearing down on me. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact.

But it never came.

I opened my eyes to find that I was still alive. The train had passed right through me as if I wasn't even there.

I looked up at the man, who was now staring at me in disbelief. Then I understood why he had brought me back here. He thought I was some ghost or supernatural being.

-"I thought I recognized you!" he said calmly.

-"What the hell is happening?" I was shouting like a madman while floating on top of the tracks. Thirteen wagons had passed through me like nothing, and I felt like I was fading away.

-"You disappeared three nights ago, on these tracks. Everyone said that you committed suicide. Since we colonized a decade ago, you are the first person to die on Mars. From the moment I saw you, I realized you are some sort of spirit."

-"And that is why you throw me in front of the train? To confirm your sick theory?". I said all that while I managed to pull myself, gently, to the side of the tracks.

-"I do apologize, sir, but I seem to be the only one who can see you. I had to do something". He takes a few steps back and takes off his sunglasses. His eyes were bright red, like Mars's dessert in the sun.

-"Are you the devil !?" I shouted again, although no one could hear me.

-"No. I am the former conductor of the Eternal Train on Mars. It was designed to go through the planet's centre and use the heat at the core to recharge.

We did a test, but no one wanted to get in, apart from myself. So after one run, I went home, but the train disappeared into the core, resurfacing from time to time.

I got these red eyes as a gift from that strange place, the planet's hearth.

And now, it seems that no one can stop the train anymore. It has like a mind of its own."

-"I understand, somehow, that I jumped in front of this Eternal Train, and it turned me into this?". I was calm now. I was beginning to understand the situation.

-"You are correct, sir. And I suggest you stay here and wait until the train passes this station again. Then, try to board it, and maybe you will find your answers there." He barely finishes his sentence and disappears into the station.

I tried to follow him but felt a magnetic pull coming from the tracks. I couldn't leave the area anymore.

What is happening to me? Am I alive? Am I dead?

Am I a ghost, like he said?

...

I'm just a person who happened to survive a horrific accident that should have killed me. And now I'm stuck here, haunting this train station for eternity.