Simon walked quickly across the train platform. Every other step making a swish as he dragged the heel of his left boot across the cobblestones beneath him. It was only interrupted by a staccato clank as the metal tip of the cane he bore in his right hand made purchase against the ground. He paid little attention to the smell of acrid coal smoke that lingered heavily in the air burning his lungs with every breath he took. As he approached the waiting train on the platform, he slowed his step and shortened his gait just slightly, listening for the sound of pursuers. Hearing nothing approach, he straightened his back and extended his neck, trying to get a glimpse of the scene behind him. The reflection in the expansive windows of the train car in front of him offered him nothing in return other than a glimpse of the travelers bustling along the length of the platform, unaware of what he had set in motion just a few hours before.
He waited a long time for this day. He lost count of how long it had been. After watching civilization after civilization rise and fall, they all start to blend together. It had been too long. Today his patience was to be rewarded. He reached the stairs and tucked his cane under his left arm. As he reached out for the brass handlebar worn by the passage of time, the car’s attendant reached out his hand in assistance. Simon quickly shrugged off his help as he tightly gripped the handlebar and climbed the stairs as quickly as he could muster. The pain that radiated out from his left hip was another reminder of how much he was done with waiting, done with this planet, and most certainly done with this corporeal existence. At the top of the stairs, he turned right and headed toward the front of the car where he took a window seat on the right side of the train, where he thought he would have the best vantagepoint to admire his handiwork.
From somewhere behind him, Simon heard an attendant yell, “All Aboard!” The last of the passengers rushed to place their luggage in the overhead bin and take a seat. Across from him was a young couple very much naive and in love. They held hands while the young man excitedly explained to his partner how much his Mom was going to love her, and she did not need to worry about anything. Behind him was a passenger of unknown gender with their nose buried in the daily newspaper, unaware of the young boy who walked by and snatched the pocket watch attached to a thin gold chain unfit for the task asked of it. Two seats in front of him was a woman of middle age that many would consider attractive. He found her pale skin, perfectly symmetrical face, and voluptuous body offensive.
Three train cars ahead, the conductor blew one long whistle from the steam engine, indicating they were pulling out of the station. Simon couldn’t have asked for better timing. As the whistle faded, a blinding light flashed across the sky, followed moments later by a thunderclap, unlike anything witnessed before. As the thunder echoed against the train station walls, the crackle of electricity could be felt in the air. The hair on everyone’s skin rose in response. For a moment, time seemed to pause. Even the birds appeared to stop mid-flight. Perhaps they did; this was new technology after all. It was experimental and why they had chosen this planet overridden by a virus that called itself human. Despite the ensuing chaos, the train pulled slowly out of the station, aimed for what was likely to be its final destination.
Tragic Words 