Whisper

I started to exit the “L” when the doors closed in front of me and the train began to move. I panicked knowing I’d be late for work and pushed the emergency button, but the train didn’t stop. Realizing I was the only one left in this car, I quickly made my way to the back of the train and opened the door to cross over to the next car—there was no one. And the next, no one. And the next, not a soul. Each car I entered had no passengers on board. How can this be? There wasn’t a single person on this train but me, and in rush hour. I finally made my way to the first car and quickly walked to the front of the train. I knocked on the engineer’s door but there was no answer. I pressed my face up against the tinted glass to look inside. My knees weakened from what I saw—there was no one driving this train! I stared out the window terrified as I watched the city fly by. The train was headed in a direction I had never gone before, and now it appeared I had no way of getting off! All of a sudden the hairs on my arms stood up as I felt what seemed to be a warm, moist breath on the back of my neck. I know I checked every car and I’m certain there was no one left on this train but me! With nowhere to run, I knew I had no choice but to turn and face what was now standing behind me. I tightly clenched my fists and slowly turned around, but there was no one standing there. I pulled out my cell, but there was no signal. And then I felt the breath again, and this time I’m certain my hair moved! The phone dropped from my hand and glass shattered everywhere. I knew the breath I felt was real! This train ride was real! Someone or something was taking me farther away and there was nothing I could do to stop it! My knees weakened beneath me and I fell back in my seat. I knew all I could do now was wait.