(miniflash story)

It was nearly midnight when the train station fell silent. The platform, usually bustling with travelers, now stood empty. Only a single figure remained, standing near the edge of the tracks, waiting.

(pixabay, free photo)

Sarah had missed the last train home. She had been distracted by a call from her mother, who had needed comforting, but now, with the platforms deserted and the last train already long gone, Sarah had no choice but to wait for the first train in the morning.

As she stood there, staring at the dark horizon, something felt different. The lights on the tracks flickered once, then twice. Some dense fog covered the platform…

Sarah turned around to see a train slowly approaching, its headlights cutting through the foggy darkness. Confused, she stepped back. The train seemed too old, too worn out—like something from another time. It came to a halt, and the doors creaked open.

“Where are you headed?” a voice asked from inside. It was a man, dressed in a faded coat, his face shadowed by the brim of his hat.

Sarah hesitated, then, without thinking, stepped onto the train. The doors closed behind her with a soft whoosh, and the train slowly pulled away from the station, leaving the silent platform behind.