Evening turned to night as the sun set slowly. Expecting the worst and hoping for the best, I headed off with my luggage full and a steamy, freshly-brewed cup of coffee. When I arrived at the station, crowds of wandering eyes, screaming children, and sketchy foreigners come to my attention, putting me out of my comfort zone. I, myself, decide to get a good look around to see if I find a place to rest before I leave. An old, wooden bench enters my peripheral vision and comes into focus as I turn to my right. I begin to amble toward it. A sudden gust of cool air runs through the station and abruptly my arms are decorated in goose bumps. I sluggishly plop my luggage down next to me on the bench and take a big gulp of coffee; nearly burning my whole mouth.

Slowly but surely, I heard it coming. It sounded like a heart beat getting faster and faster. Screeching and clunking, the large wheels came to a stop. Completely still, a black beast sitting right in front on me. I heard in a faint, raspy voice, “All aboard!” I guess it was time to go. I nonchalantly grabbed my belongings and headed off. A mass of people begin filing in, too anxious and impatient to not push one another around. As for me, I stayed in the back; alone and undisturbed. Patiently, I finally step onto the huge platform and start making my way toward the back of the train. Passengers begin to settle in while I continue to walk down the narrow aisle toward what seems like 4 football fields away. Step-by-step the worn-out, wooden floor lets out loud creeks wanting people to stare at me.

After gaze upon glare, the back corner seemed secure and comfortable so that’s where I stayed. I spot a man who was reading the newspaper. He was in a charcoal-colored fedora and a newly purchased suit. To my left, there is a little girl, no older than five, playing with her dingy baby dolls; they still manage to keep a bright smile on her face. I remain in the same dusty corner and ponder silently about my surroundings. The rumble of the air conditioner was somewhat calming and put me into a state of relaxation. Suddenly, the frozen engine kicked into motion. The doors noisily slammed shut and a few soundless moments followed by a gentle electrical murmur as the train stumbled out of the station. Even after the train has left, the sound of the locomotive pounded through the night. The deep booms of its powerful thrusts eventually quieted down to a gentle beat in the heart of the night. Passengers grew hush as time went on. I tried so hard to stay awake but my eye lids got heavier and heavier as minutes passed. My consciousness collapses and I fall into a deep slumber.
(7 hours later)

My eyes gradually start to flutter open. A bright beam of sunlight then awakens me. I wipe the sleepers from my eyes so my vision is clear again. Squinting, I glance to my right out of the frosty, glass window. I see vast mountains of nothing but shades of green and the earthy aroma of what lies deep within them. Without warning, an extremely loud shriek arises from outside. Something must be wrong with the train, or maybe the tracks? People scramble all about in terror not knowing what is happening. The conductor over the intercom tells all passengers to remain calm, but the madness continues. Shrills and roars proceed to come from the outside of the train. Now I start to feel nervous myself. I looked out the window once more to see if I could see anything going on wrong with the train. We seemed to be speeding up a bit but other than that, nothing. Minutes passed and we arrive at the existence of a very dangerous situation. On the left of me… a dark green mountain side. To my right, is an inch between life and death. No wall, fence, or gate between hundreds of feet below the rusty beaten tracks or the train I sit on. “I could die any minute now,” I say to myself as my heart starts to pound in rhythm of the wheels as they get faster and faster. The black beast reaches a sharp turn and all of a sudden, it happened. I looked at the little girl as we all began to drop. I remember that it hurt; looking at her hurt. Before I knew it, life went dark and I wasn’t here anymore. None of the passengers on that train were here anymore.