Mysterious train

Hannah glanced nervously at her watch. It was 11h54 and the train for Bangalore was leaving in 6 minutes. She peered along the dimly lit platform searching for a familiar figure in faded jeans carrying a well-worn rucksack. Suddenly a cold breeze rose upon the air and evaded Hannah’s face, making her curly golden hair flutter. A queer feeling went through her entire body. “Where could he be? Time keeps on moving!” she thought while checking the environment around her. The platform was practically empty. She was alone and this bothered her. Her heart thumped more as time kept running. There were only two minutes left before departure but there was still no sign of Harry, her brother. Hannah grabbed her phone tensely. “I’m not going to miss this train for anything in this world! Why can’t that creature be on time just for once in his life?” Her anger kept rising while Hannah dialled Harry’s number. He did not pick up the phone. While Hannah muttered incomprehensible sentences to herself, she did not notice a young man drawing near her from behind. He put his hand on her shoulder. She immediately turned round at him “Harry! Where ha…?” but contained her speech. It was not Harry. This unknown young individual staring at her wearing an elegant black shirt unbuttoned to the chest and dark jeans caused a creepy impact on her. He resembled someone, but she couldn’t exactly tell. After some brief, heavy seconds, the man said:
- I’m sorry if I scared you…but I came here on purpose in order to have a word with you…
- Excuse me, but I’m afraid we haven’t really…
- Met, I know – the word “met” was emphasized – You see, I guess your brother…Harry…cannot make it on time tonight, so he asked me if I could actually accompany you during your long trip – Hannah did not react. She just stood there checking up the man’s traces. He seemed so strangely familiar to her – Hannah, isn’t it? – he asked delicately.
- Yes…but I find this quiet confusing. I don’t know you…
- Oh, I’m Harry’s friend, from University. My name’s Derick. We’re pretty close actually. I see my name has never reached your ears – He laughed freely. Hannah just smiled politely. Harry used to talk a lot about Adam and Ben, but never about this guy before her. Plus, all that conversation seemed to have some kind of irrational state. Her thoughts were interrupted by Derick’s sudden interference – Hey Hannah, the train leaves within less than a minute! Shall we get on?
- Yeah…yeah, sure – she grumbled.
Derrick helped Hannah take her package on to the train. After checking out over the carriages, they finally chose one right in the back. All of them were empty. They sat down in front of each other next to the window. Outside, the moon hid smoothly as the rain started falling with fury. Hannah shook a bit, then wrapped herself more closely. The atmosphere around them was heavy. Within some minutes, Hannah started fighting to keep her eyes open. Nobody talked. The guy just remained staring at her. Hannah kept thinking about Harry. His behaviour had been extremely suspicious. The fact that he hadn’t warned his sister worried Hannah, especially when they were close. “He could have phoned!” At this point Hannah jumped from her seat, grabbed her cell-phone and dialled her mom’s number. It was time to leave her pride behind. After the huge quarrel with her parents, she had promised herself to try live for herself without having to seek their help. Tonight it was another story. It wasn’t about her, but about her beloved brother. Nobody answered the call. Her heart beat uncontrollably. The stranger drew a smile and spoke for the first time since they were on the train:
- Is there any problem Hannah?
- Oh…nothing special…I mean…yes, there is. What did my brother tell you? He’s not answering me! My parents neither!
- Oh…I’m sure he’s alright. He is probably in a better place…
- “What do you mean…?” – She snapped.
- Oh…you know…have you ever imagined a different world…a totally different place beyond our imagination? – There was a very calm and cynical thon on his voice.
- I don’t understand your point…
- It’s pretty simple… - he stood up and locked the carriage door.
- “What are you doing?” – She instantly stood up as well. Hannah’s voice trembled – What is all this about? – He did not answer. He remained in front of the door, back to her, without even moving or making a sound. – Let me out! – She scarily demanded – “Let me out, I said!” – It was useless. Derrick turned slowly round at her. At this point her cell-phoned rang. Hannah shuddered. It was Christine. What a relief!
- “Hello? Christine? What? Why are you crying?”
- Hannah! Some terrible thing has happened! Oh my God… Hannah! – Christine was horrified and cried compulsively- Your p-parents Hannah! T-they…they’re dead! – Hannah yelled in pain. She felt her heard spinning and spinning.
- Where’s Harry, Christine?? Answer me for God Sake!
-Everyone’s dead! They’re all gone! Hannah…there was blood everywhere…Hannah…Hannah… - Hannah switched off her phone. Derrick smiled and started walking towards her. She stood back in terror.
- “Do you believe in God?” – He suddenly asked – “I presume you do by looking at your necklace. But tell me, Hannah. Why believing in a God like him? Does God want our disgrace? Does he want us to walk this bloody world alone?” – By this time, Hannah remained leant on the window. He approached her – A God that abandoned me for damn 25 years? You might not have heard about me before, but I know you Hannah… - A feeling of shock filled her body. Those blue eyes were just like her mother’s eyes. Everything started to make sense! The images of the past appeared suddenly in her mind. The image of her parents fighting about a child was clear even though she hadn’t understood anything at that time.
- You…you… - Tears started falling down.
- "Yes Hannah! They deserved it! It was their destiny for what they’ve done! Now dear sis, I guess we’re running out of time. Shall I introduce you to that mysterious world I talked to you about previously?" – By saying this, he pointed a knife at her that reflected her fear and pain. Five minutes later, a storm surrounded the train as at the same time a dreadful yelling was heard. The rain kept falling for the rest of the night.

Celina*