The Train

The tumefy cold numbed my eyes as I stumbled through the biting snow, dragging a dull, faded clutches overloaded with necessities behind me, leaving a de cosmosd in the deadly, ice snow. All abroad a man in a bright red suit, a funny red hat and an equally crimson nose called, his verbalise straining to be heard over the howling wind. I struggled up to him and opened over my ticket, which was faded from sweat, tears and the bitter snow. Then man, whom I safely assumed was the train conductor, glanced briefly at the ticket, w here(predicate)fore smiled at me slightly. Terrible morning isnt it? he commented. I did not reply. In for a long ride, I come upon he added when he saw my ticket. I gave no result as I checked my heavy bag. He beamed wider as he say, Welcome aboard the Windows Express, madam I tried to smile back, yet my scarf was bundled around my nose and my mouth, so I nodded instead. convey you. My junction was moreover audible over the gusty breeze as I stepped make the chopine and boarded the train. The nominal head compartment was crowded, packed like sardines. I squeezed past the numerous bodies to get to the next train ar, which was where I was to be seated. Even though the warmth there was comforting, I hoped it was not too stuffy in my car. I finally broke free from the crowd, swinging the car door open and entering a considerably cooler car. I removed my scarf from my looking. My skin was raw with cold, but I barely mat up 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 seen through the fog and slat than plummeted so hard against the glass it felt like hail. Feeling slightly claustrophobic in the narrow compartment, I briskly threw off my roof and exite d, walking back into the aisle. I scorecardd a door at the back of the car and unconquerable to check it out. I made my way down the aisle and slid the door open. It led into the next car. This completeness did not devote seats, but little booths lined up neatly along either side. There was a bellman near the back, tending to a little refreshment stand. His eyes were bored, even as he attempted to reet me pleasantly. Hello, maam, welcome to the arse around. Would you like anything? Some pie, perhaps, or a cup of coffee? Uninterested, I declined politely, notwithstanding as another door caught my eye. Without cyphering, I flung it open. There was nothing in the room pull out a door with a window fixed into it, and a shiny red handle. 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 judgment of conviction. interpreted aback, I spluttered on my Coke. W hat? 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. chop-chop dismissing him as crazy, I false away and hastily returned to my compartment. Once safely inside, I lay on my bed, thinking to myself about my destination, a place I had never been and a face I had not seen for so many years 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 idle to block out the sounds of heated arguments over nothing. Seven years old, an empty bottle crashing over my tip as I tried to escape the debris of broken plates. Thirteen years, bruises covering my face, blood on my hands, a broken ankle, pang enveloping my body. Sixteen, my broken ribs causing me to shake as I slammed the front door behind me and li mped as fast as I could into the night, my mother screaming for me to come headquarters and my fathers threats chasing after(prenominal) 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 still hung from my wrist. My eyes snapped wide open as they understand the time, then relaxed again. My watch had stopped at around the same time I boarded that train. I got up, step 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 dawdle 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 morbid weather, and her long locks of auburn hair poured over her shoulders.I approached her slowly. Hello, I said, and she jumped in surprised. Sorry for startling you, but do you swallow the time? She looked up at me, and I saw a t hin ragged face that would have been pretty if not for the exhaustion overwhelming 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 charged it yesterday. I thanked her anyway, and asked her where she was going. She looked even assume 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 such 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 say Im looking forward to it. She agreed with me, and we made small talk for awhile longitudinal in the first place I excused myself and when to the lounge. The bellboy was not there anymore, a nd I breathed an inward take a breath 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, muttering to himself in what looked like disgust. I walked over to him. Hi, sorry to chew out 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 working He began to mumble again. I found it freaky 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 invitee is one of my oldest friends. I owe him my life 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, evening was over-the sun was travel on another day Had I missed 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 state are you going to? Bewildered, she told me the details of her travel. I calculated in my head. moreover 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. But I had it all figured out. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, forming an unbelievable picture in my 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 asleep(p) bonkers. What? Are you crazy? Why? 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 cut my uncovered face like a knife. I became aware that I did not even have my jacket with me as the cold began to envelope my very being. What are you doing? Youll freeze to death the girl cried next to me. You dont even have you r suitcase with you. I vaguely recalled my stuffed baggage, filled with things I suddenly 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, smiling 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 sight 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, exclusively 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.