The Train

The blistering cold num whap my eyes as I stumb conduct through and through the biting snow, dragging a dull, faded suitcase everyplaceloaded with necessities stool me, leaving a train in the deadly, ice snow. All abroad a man in a b reform red suit, a funny red hat and an equally crimson nose called, his section straining to be heard over the howling wind. I struggled up to him and handed over my ticket, which was faded from sw eliminate, tears and the bitter snow. Then man, whom I safely assumed was the train conductor, glanced briefly at the ticket, and thusly smiled at me slightly. Terrible morning isnt it? he commented. I did non reply. In for a long ride, I serve he added when he saw my ticket. I gave no response as I clinked my heavy bag. He beamed wider as he said, Wel grow aboard the Windows Express, maam I act to smile sustain, that my scarf was bundled around my nose and my m forbiddenh, so I nodded instead. Thank you. My voice was barely audible over the gusty melodic line as I stepped rack up the platform and boarded the train. The front compartment was crowded, packed desire sardines. I squeezed past the numerous bodies to bum around to the next train ar, which was where I was to be seated. Even though the warmth thither was comforting, I hoped it was not too stuffy in my car. I finally broke excess from the crowd, swinging the car door open and entering a advantageously cooler car. I re rund my scarf from my face. My skin was raw with cold, only I barely entangle it. I glanced around. This car was deserted, the seats along its aisle empty. I checked the number of compartment I had been assigned then opened the door to it. There was a small bunk bed in the corner, with a little closed off area I guessed was the bunk. I lanced out the single window, but there was nothing to be turn aroundn through the fog and slat than plummeted so hard against the glass it mat like hail. Feeling slightly claustrophobic in the narrow comp artment, I briskly threw off my jacket and exited, walking back into the aisle. I detect a door at the back of the car and decided to check it out. I made my way slew the aisle and slid the door open. It led into the next car. This one did not hit seats, but little booths seamed up neatly along either side. There was a bellhop near the back, tending to a little refreshment stand. His eyes were bored, crimson as he attempted to reet me pleasantly. Hello, maam, wel coiffe to the linger. Would you like anything? Some pie, perhaps, or a cup of coffee? Uninterested, I declined politely, just as some other door caught my eye. Without thinking, I flung it open. There was nothing in the room barely a door with a window fixed into it, and a glistening red enshroud. This is where youll be disembarking, the bellboy informed me. That theres the emergency brake, he added, pointing at the handle. Youre perfectly welcome to pull that at any condemnation. Taken aback, I spluttered on my Coke. What? I wouldnt. Thats ridiculous.Then how will I get to where I am going? I demanded incredulously. The bellboy shrugged. Sometimes you cant rely on trains to get you to where you want to go. I stared openly at him. Quickly dismissing him as crazy, I turned away and hastily returned to my compartment. Once safely inside, I puzzle on my bed, thinking to myself almost my destination, a place I had neer been and a face I had not seen for so many eld it hurt to think about it. Flashbacks began to attack my once- peaceful mind, invading my would be calm pondering. At four years old, my hands pressed tightly over my ears, rying in vain to block out the sounds of heated arguments over nothing. S yet years old, an empty bottle crashing over my principal sum as I tried to escape the debris of depressed plates. Thirteen years, bruises application my face, blood on my hands, a broken ankle, throe enveloping my body. Sixteen, my broken ribs causing me to shake as I slammed the front door skunk me and limped as fast as I could into the night, my mother screaming for me to come home and my fathers threats chasing after me I jerked awake, nearly falling out of bed. My head felt heavy, and my eyes groggy, as if I had not slept or days. Sluggishly, I checked my watch, which solace hung from my wrist. My eyes snapped wide open as they read the time, then relaxed again. My watch had stopped at around the same time I boarded that train. I got up, feeling tired, and felt my stomach growl. I stood up, stretched, brushed my hair and hurridly with my fingers and left my compartment. I was about to go to the lounge to eat when I noticed another girl sitting on a seat in the aisle, next to the window. She was clothed very thinly for the unwholesome weather, and her long locks of auburn hair poured over her shoulders.I approached her slowly. Hello, I said, and she jumped in surprised. inexorable for startling you, but do you have the time? She looked up at me, an d I saw a thin ragged face that would have been pretty if not for the exhaustion consuming it, and the melancholy sadness in her eyes. Oh hello, its quite alright. Let me check. She lifted her mobile phone from her pocket, glanced at it, then shook her head apologetically. Strange. It seems to have died. I couldve sworn I supercharged it yesterday. I thanked her anyway, and asked her where she was going. She looked even weary when I questioned her. Im going to see my long distance partner for four years, she said, in an almost rehearsed answer. I think he may propose to me, but I doubt Im ready for much(prenominal) a change. She drifted off, her voice trailing away, then came to her senses and asked me where I was headed. Im going to see my father. I havent seen him for nearly a decade, I said quietly. I cant set up Im looking forward to it. She agreed with me, and we made small talk for for a while longer before I excused myself and when to the lounge. The bellboy was not there anymore, and I breathed an inward sigh of relief.The batty guy had freaked me out. I saw someone sitting down in one of the lounge booths. Hidden behind stacks of paperwork and a newspaper sat a middle aged man in an impressive suit and tie, murmuration to himself in what looked like disgust. I walked over to him. Hi, sorry to bother you, but do you know what time it is? He glanced up and stopped grumbling. Hmm? Oh, yes. he shot a look at his fancy wristwatch. Well, what is this? My watch isnt on the job(p) He began to mumble again. I found it strange that nobody knew the time, so I stole a glimpse of the watch, and sure enough it ceased to ick. Thats a shame, I said good-naturedly, and asked him what he was doing. Its for a case I have, he replied. I must have looked puzzled, because he elaborated. Im a lawyer, you see, and Im about to defend the biggest drug cartels of all time- then again, I probably shouldnt have told you that. I was about to leave him in peace when he continued on. In my defense, my client is one of my oldest friends. I owe him my intent and hes gotten me out tons of scraps. I really have no choice. I began to feel a little uncomfortable, and averted my gaze to rest on the window.To my surprise, eve was over-the sun was rising on another day Had I lose my stop? I was supposed to be off the train by dusk, yet here was dawn, a new day beginning right before my eyes Panicking, I ran back to my car and asked the girl still sitting on he seat, What time did you get on? Which severalize are you going to? Bewildered, she told me the details of her travel. I calculated in my head. besides what would only take you a few hours You should have arrived by now, I said, unable to keep my voice from getting louder. She seemed indifferent. Maybe we made a few stops along the way. I wasnt awake the whole time, you know. besides I had it all figured out. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, forming an unbelievable submit in m y head. I ran back into the lounge, and flung open the door at the back of it, where the emergency brake ws. The lady came racing after me, asking where I was going. Look, its the emergency brake. If we pull it, well be able to get out of here I exclaimed. She looked at me the same way I had looked at the bellboy- as if one of us had gone bonkers. What? Are you crazy? wherefore? Its ridiculous.Then how will I ever get to where Im going? I smiled at the distinct resemblance her words had to mine. Reaching over, I grasped the red handle in my right hand and pulled as hard as I could. The train screeched against the metal of the tracks. I pushed against the exit door, and it opened easily. I leaped off the train. The ground was icy and cold beneath my feet, and the cold wind path my uncovered face like a knife. I became aware that I did not even have my jacket with me as the cold began to windbag my very being. What are you doing? Youll freeze to death the girl cried next to me. You dont even have your suitcase with you. I vaguely recalled my stuffed baggage, filled with things I all of a sudden realized were of no importance to me. And just like that, suddenly, I felt free. Free of all my emotional baggage, free of everything that weigh me down, free of guilt, pain and sorrow. A sense of warmth, a beautiful feeling, filled up my body, and I no longer felt the chill. I turned back to the train, pull a face for the first time in years. Why dont you come with me? I asked the girl. She shook her head, eyes wide. And then the train door slammed shut, and began to move again.Free of doubt, I turned from the deal of the train slowly resending out of sight until it vanished, and began to trudge through the snow, in the direction of my destination. Sometimes we are weighed down by the pain, grief and guilt. We go through life day by day, merely existing, not living, and time stands still. Those days we live, so burdened by emotions, are meaningless and pas by without notice of purpose. If we could just let go of it all, forget our troubles for a few seconds, and look around us, perhaps we would see the beauty we are meant to see, and the wonder we would feel if we only let go.