Ghost Train - Part 2

Dad's voice snapped me out of my shock status. After a short explanation of what has been happening he was worried and got to the station as quickly as possible to pick his daughter up.

I was certainly relieved when his car turned up and stopped in front of my pale, shivering body.

That night I slept at my parent's place. Well, I tried to fall asleep which finally happened after a 3 hours long struggle against fear.

As soon as sleep numbed my scattered mind a picture of the empty train turned my dreams into nightmares. Although there was nothing particularly horrifying about it, it made me feel helpless and lost. The train emitted an atmosphere that seemed to attract my consciousness.

The next day I approached a middle-aged railway official right before lectures started. He assured me that no train has been on the tracks near my station during 8:15 and 9:05 pm. Naturally this made me even more worried. He laughed it off and called me a prankster who's trying to scare him. His person seemed nervous about my question though, so I asked him if there was something wrong. The man's face suddenly changed to a concerned expression. He looked me over, leaned forward and whispered:

''So you're serious about this?''

I nodded since I had a lump in my throat. He shook his head like he was in disbelieve but then continued:

''See, no one here wants to work at night times,'' he looked at the other counters next to him with his co-workers talking to customers.

''They say this station was the last place a man named Wallace L. Gimbert has been seen. He lived in the 19^th century – don't remember when exactly. Was a kind-hearted railroad engineer loved by passengers. Rumors tell his whistle also had a unique sound.''

He stopped and tried to fake a smile. I couldn't believe this was the sole reason why nobody wanted to work until or during graveyard shift.

''That's all?''

''Nah, but lemme get this straight: I've got work to do and can't waste my time on crazy urban legends. My boss wouldn't appreciate that. I help you with tickets, schedules or other train related business though.''

I said goodbye, thanked him with a sick feeling in my stomach and went to university.

Studying and my fellow students distracted me from my last night experience. I told no one. They shouldn't think that I believe in a legend that's been passed around for 200 years. I forgot about it throughout the day. But as soon as I was alone again an eerie state of solitude cornered me.

Nothing unordinary happened the remaining week except bad dreams about the same picture over and over: Me standing in front of what looked like an invitation to a lonely ride into darkness.

I caught every train and the nightmares became less towards the weekend when I wouldn't use public transport. My dad called it off as a creation of my imagination due to no sleep and a hard day of studying combined with harsh weather. I wanted to believe him.

Monday came and went as usual. Oddly enough I slept like a baby, cuddled into my warm and cozy bed that night.

Tuesday morning I was resfreshed and gave off a healthy vibe. I had a great day at university and finally got a hang of a complicated series of lectures.

Hoping I had a lucky day my eyes glared at the windows during the last lecture. Nature crushed my hopes in form of an angry snow storm which was probably even more rude than a week ago.

''This time I'll do it,'' murmered through my head. Like a raving loony I jumped into the snow and stomped my way through the elements' barricade.

I ran, I stumbled, I panted but without success: With hurting throat and sides I arrived the moment the train departed.

Alarmed I looked about. Cold sweat ran down my forehead when I realized I was totally alone again. Not even the cats I heard fighting seconds ago remained at the station. The scoreboard said the same as last week: 50 minutes until the next train arrival. My stomach began to feel funny. To be more precise: My whole body reacted to this situation! It sent cold shivers up and down my spine, my heart began to race and thoughts telling me to call Dad or to leave shouted in my head. I felt dizzy and got on my knees with my bare hands touching the salt-snow slush-mix on the platform.

Then it happened.

Like a huge yellow eye the train's headlamp spotted my cowering self and crawled towards me. I felt like defeated prey ready to be eaten as the light grew brighter and the train opened it's big mouth-like doors once again before me.

I wished that I was dreaming. I prayed to wake up and bit my tongue in order to escape back into my bed but nothing happened. The uncanny vehicle was still in front of me.

Shaking I built myself up again.

The freezing wind played with my hair as I stood in the middle of lonliness facing the manifestation of my nightmares. The urge to vomit climbed it's way up my gullet, the diziness increased as I nearly collapsed. I strived after collapsing just to get out of this situation.

''Wallace Gimbert,'' I recalled the legend's protagonist. Suddenly prickling pierced the darkened thoughts of fear and misery. My brain seemed to brighten up. Saying his name worked like a command.

I'm not sure how long I fought with myself not to enter the train but I couldn't resist an unknown will to finally take a step forward. So I did. I obeyed and got inside.

The warmness of the heated passenger car welcomed me as the doors closed behind.

The tension inside my body cooled down. Breath after breath I got more relaxed.

I turned around and looked outside. My pupils widened as a man's silhoutte put a whistle in his mouth. A high-pitched yet soft sound penetrated my ears. ''A unique sound,'' my lips stated on their own.

Smoothly the train set itself in motion. I expected the lights to turn off but fortunately it didn't happen so I decided to take a seat.

On my way into the cabin my nose took note of many smells. I smelled bourgeoise perfume, leather, wood and sweat. For a moment I blamed it on my bizarre situation and therefore oversensitive senses but as I looked outside the window at my seat my hair stood on end. It's hard to describe. I try to forget about it. I try to erase it from my memory:

The light caused a reflection in the window. A reflection that showed people sitting on the empty seats. People dressed in old fashioned clothes: Men wearing top hats and tailcoats, women wearing fancy dresses.

I leaped to my feet. My heart sank into my boots as I looked at the ''real'' seats.The passenger car was empty. Nobody has been here except me. I turned to the window again. The reflections disappeared. So did the smells.

At this point I questioned my state of mind. I threw myself into the seat's cushion and waited until my legs stopped trembling. Desperately I started laughing and determined what to do next: Break the glass to get out of this freak show or pay a visit to the driver?

I favored the latter and walked through the cabins until I reached the end of the train: The driver's cab.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Of course. I knew it. Why should it be different? What was I expecting?

The cab was unmanned. No person operated the cockpit.

Speechless I placed my exhausted body on the free seat and buried my face in my hands. Tears ran down my wrists and dropped on my shoes. After some minutes of sobbing I noticed something carved next to buttons on the console. It read ''W.L.G'' Reading his initials gave me hope. I smiled and suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. Obviously no one has been found but I stood up and let an apparent ghost sit down. I watched as the joystick moved by its own and the train getting faster. I saw buttons being pressed. And heard a silent ''Farewell'' just as I closed my eyes for a second to wipe away the tears with my sweater.

[...]

''Why are you crying, Miss? Is something wrong? Can I help you?''

I stood on a crowded platform. An old lady gave me a concerned look. ''I'm okay, thanks.'' I tried to make out where I was. I realized I was at my home station. Excited I turned around to see if I could take a last look at Gimbert's train. Shocked I noticed that it was a different type of vehicle. It was filled with many people. Modern clothed people.

''I know this sounds odd, but did I just get out of that train?''

''Of course you did. You stepped out crying. Are you sure you're alright?''
''Y-yes. I am.''

I felt up my shoulder as I sat down a bench to recall everything that has been happening.

I brooded over every detail and watched the station. The train I supposedly arrived with meanwhile has left the platform and made place for something which left me even more puzzled: The 8:15 train I missed opened it's doors for the passengers.