The Runaway Train

Part 1

It was a cold and dismal day, and I really didn't want to be here. But I had made a promise and I couldn't back out now.

I bought my ticket at the machine, cursing firstly, because I had to wait in a queue for ages, getting wet and chilled to the bone, and secondly, because I had forgotten my rail card. The only bonus to this trip was that I would get 30% off while still being able to claim back for a full price ticket. Damn. Never mind.

A blackbird flew across my line if sight, staring ominously, its caw mocking me. I didn't salute it but cursed it instead. I had a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach, and just knew that my day was about to get worse.

I wasn't wrong, only I had no idea just how bad things were going to get.

The small, two platform station was packed as I jostled my way through the crowd, determined to get a seat, even if it meant I had to squash myself in between strangers to get it. I had just heard on the Tannoy that my train was delayed by another 30 minute, so there was no way I was going to stand, I hadn't been feeling well all week.

My eye caught a seat at the far end. That was always the last place commuters went to sit as the train never stopped that far down the line. Finding yourself there when it was busy meant that you would inevitably be one of the last people to board the train, and would be left to stand in the isles, everyone sweaty and smelling, cursing angrily the state of the rail system, demanding someone should do something about it. People only ever complained, no one came up with naming who was responsible and why. Or, even better, coming up with any kind of solution to address the issues.

These thoughts muddled my head, so I shook them aside to focus on nothing but reaching and securing the empty seat ahead of me.

I finally made it, having pushed somebody ungraciously aside, and plonked myself down with an exhausted sigh of relief. 'Sorry,' I mumbled, not really meaning it, to the person I had felt I had unintentionally shoved out of my way. I looked up to see an old lady steadying herself on a solid wooden cane. I noticed how unusual the carvings were, ornate and decorative in the most scary and hideous ways. I had never seen anything like it before.

'I really am sorry,' I said again, genuinely meaning it this time, shocked and upset with myself for having so carelessly pushed a fragile old lady out of the way, nearly knocking her over.

As her eyes met mine, hot and piercing with a red glare of hate, she pointed a gnarled finger at me and shrieked

'You really will be sorry,' 'yes you will, you will!'

As horrified as I was at this unexpected outburst, I couldn't draw my eyes away from hers, as I sensed, rather than saw, her lift her cane and pound it on the cold stoney ground.

Dragging my gaze away I shut my eyes and raised my arm to defend my head, certain that she was going to lift her staff a second time, (I was convinced now that this was no ordinary walking stick) and bash me over the head with it. But the blow never came, and as I opened my eyes I was surprised to see that the old lady had disappeared. Indeed there was no one left on this side of the platform at all.

'They must have all got on the train before,' I thought, tired and confused as I drifted off, unable to hold onto consciousness any longer.

Part 2

I dreamt that I was being rocked from side to side, side to side, the hypnotic motion of a train I knew so well, usually soothing, now worrying as I jolted bolt upright in my seat.

'Tickets please, tickets please.'

I heard the conductors request from a distance.

'What?' I thought, shakily.

'The stations moving, is it an earthquake?'

Disorientated, I tried to get my bearings. The last thing I remembered I was sitting on a bench at the station. Where was I now?

Coming slowly to my senses I realised that I was in fact sat on a train. I wasn't alone but I didn't recognise any of the people from the station.

As I tried desperately to understand what was happening to me, and how and why I was on this train, I heard the approaching click clicking sound of tickets being punched in acceptance.

Then, suddenly, and without any warning, he was by my side, I was next.

'Can I see your tickets please,' he demanded.

Still confused I fumbled in my bag, which I was relieved to see I was still in possession of, then in my pockets, then with increasing panic on, and under, and around my seat.

'I can't find it,' I replied feebly. 'I don't understand, I definitely bought a ticket, but I don't remember getting on this train?'

'So you don't have a ticket.' The conductor stated coldly.

I stared blankly, dumbly.

'As I thought,' he nodded. Then continued. 'Unfortunately, I am obliged to inform you that passengers who do not hold a valid ticket for this journey have to remain on this train until we reach out final destination.'

'Well, where is that and just how long will it be until we get there?' I asked, trying to keep calm.

'I'm afraid I can't tell you that. This service is notorious for being delayed.'

I looked around, determined now to gather my wits about me. There were other people on the train and so it had to stop at some point. And I knew that at least some of them had tickets, I had witnessed that before.

As I studied my fellow passengers, I noted how they all had the appearance of having been sat on this train for a very long time. Their expressions bored, blank and resigned. I resolved to speak to one of them and to find out what was going on.

'Excuse me,' I called trying to get the attention of the person nearest to me. 'I don't know how I got on this train, and the conductor won't tell me how long it will be until the next stop. Do you know what's going on?'

'There's nothing you can do,' he replied, his voice hollow. 'if you don't have a ticket you might never be able to leave this train. Unless you catch the conductor on a good day. He loves to check tickets and so will occasionally give them out to us, that's the only way I've ever seen anyone alight. As luck would have it, it really cheered him up you coming on board today. There hasn't been anyone new for ages and so he gave a few of us these!' I watched as he waved a ticket back and forth gleefully.

I looked away out of my window. This man was going to be no help at all, he was clearly mad. Whatever was going on, whatever prank someone was trying to play on me, I had had enough and was going to get off at the next station, ticket or no ticket.

Forced into action, I got up and headed through the carriage to the train door. I watched as we approached a station, my station.

I started to pound on the Open button, not caring that the train was still moving, and even knowing that the door would stay stubbornly shut.

Suddenly, a panic seized me. Frantically I screamed. 'let me off, let me off!' And then, I stopped dead as the train showed no sign of slowing down. I just had enough time to see myself sat on the bench at the end of the platform, my eyes closed, my head drooped, with a crowd of people gathering around my slumped body. The old lady, leaning on her staff, staring at me, red eyes still piercing, finger pointing. As the train gathered speed I turned around and saw the man I had just spoken to exit the train at the other side of the carriage, followed by two other passengers, their bodies floating through the unopened door, their tickets falling behind them, dropping like feathers to the floor, then silently vanishing.

I was alone in the carriage now. In the distance I could hear the conductors voice calling 'tickets please, tickets please.'

I wondered how long it would be before another passenger would be cursed into this train, and then, if the conductor would feel generous enough to issue me with a ticket.

'I wish I had stayed in bed today,' I said to myself as the train gathered speed showing no signs of stopping any time soon.