“Excuse me, can you tell me how many more stops to Parkview?”
“It’s eight. You can see it up there on the Rail Network Map.”
“Thanks. How’s your day been anyway?”
“It’s been long. I’m happy it’s over. How about yours?”
“Yeah, not too bad. I’ve just been riding the train.”
“Cool.”
“Busy day at work?”
“Yeah, it’s always busy this time of year.”
“That’s too bad.”
“How’s work been for you?”
“I don’t work… I can’t work anymore.”
“Oh. Sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay, I get to meet lots of people on the train.”
“Well, that’s something then.”
“Do you still remember a stranger who you met during your train journeys? What made them memorable?”
“Hmm, no, I don’t think so. I don’t usually talk to people on trains.”
“Well, maybe I can change that for you tonight.”
“Maybe.”
“What do you think the most hated mode of transportation is anyway?”
“Uh… for me, it’s walking. Does that count as a mode of transport?”
“I guess so.”
“What’s yours?”
“I dunno. Definitely not the train. I think maybe driving, because I can’t drive anymore.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
“No, it’s okay, I don’t mind… I’ve met lots of people on the train.”
“Yes, you mentioned that.”
“Where are you getting off anyway?”
“Redleaf. Only a few stops now.”
“Damn! That’s too bad.”
“Hey, did you drop this?”
“Ah, yes. That’s mine. I just ate before I got on the train, but I was saving the fortune cookie for later. I always like to read it after I’m done.”
“Right… I guess…”
“I love this type of train. All the seats are facing each other so you can talk to people. Not like those other trains where your seat is facing the back of someone’s head.”
“The other trains aren’t so bad. I like to get lots of reading done on my train trips, so the privacy is nice.”
“Sounds awful!”
“Not to me.”
“I’ve met so many people on the train. Besides, is your time truly wasted if you enjoy wasting it?”
“I guess not.”
“What book are you reading?”
“Well, I’m trying to read, Talk Less, Say More. It’s apparently going to solve my modern communication issues… but so far, it’s not working.”
“I don’t think I have any issues communicating. Maybe I could help you out?”
“Well, this is my stop… wait, I thought you were getting off at Parkview.”
“I’m starving all of a sudden.”
“Didn’t you say you just ate?”
“I know a good Chinese takeaway near Redleaf station.”
“Oh really? I’m not sure I know that one.”
“It’s a few blocks away, but I don’t mind walking… not like you.”
“Okay, well I guess I’ll see you around… oh, the Chinese place is this way?”
“Yeah, it’s a couple of streets this way.”
“What’s this place called anyway? I love Chinese and I’ve been trying to find a place near here since I moved in.”
“Uh… it’s called Golden Dragon, or maybe Lucky Dragon… something like that.”
“I’ll have to look it up later. Anyway, it was nice meeting you.”
“So, which one would you choose: be alive and alone or about to die with your best friend?”
“Whoa, what kind of question is that?”
“Now that we’ve been getting to know each other a bit, would you consider me a friend?”
“… Umm, I… I really gotta run. I’m meeting some friends later.”
“Why do people always do that when I ask that question?”
“Wait, what’s that sticking out of your pocket?”
“This? I always use this. Doesn’t it look pretty shining under the streetlights?”
“What are you doing with…”
About the Creator
Sandy Gillman
I’m a mum to a toddler, just trying to get through the day. I like to write about the ups and downs of parenting. I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. I hope you’ll find something here to laugh, relate to, and maybe even learn from.
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Off the Book
It ended like every other stupid idea. Badly, and alone. I’m researching digital confession ethics, he said. A tech ethicist. He gestured at floating data I couldn’t see then pulled out a physical notebook. Actual paper, fountain pen. He held it up like he was showing me scripture.
By Nicky Frankly3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (20)
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations on Leaderboard!!!
Oooft creeepy. I knew that tension was building to something bad. Eeeep.
Oh, no! Poor fellow. Another reason not to talk to strangers, just keep enjoying wasting my own time. You did a great job with this one (too).
Wait what! I didn’t see that ending coming!
Uggghhh creepy. No wonder we are taught to never talk to strangers. Great tension builder, Sandy.
Great tension building.
That clingy, annoying type of person is so real, but not usual sinister. Usually just lonely. Well written, Sandy! 💜
💖I knew immediately that something was bothering this poor stranger. Those short sentences felt like emotions being held back. My intuition was right to be wary. The detail about the seats facing each other creates a striking paradox. While the architecture is built for connection, it actually facilitates a terrifying hunt. We avoid conversation in public because many of us have seen things in the dark and do not want a repeat of that.
Ah, Sandy. Your dark soul is showing with this one. Yep, not talking to people on trains.
Quite the twist! Your pacing is wonderful!
Boooo Hooooo. WOWOWOWOOOOO Thanjk you. Love it.
Wow! Scary! No train rides for me!😉❤️
Oh my goodness! How terrifying!
Oh sandy the tension here works like magic. Amazing stuff @Sandy Gillman
The mundane train talk makes the tension so effective. Nothing feels rushed, which makes the shift in tone genuinely uncomfortable in the best way. It feels like danger hiding in plain politeness.
Another dark one!!! Beautifully crafted, Sandy 🖤🖤🥹.
Oh dear! I didn't expect it to go that way... The annoyance shifted to something a little more dangerous at one point, but I never would've guessed that ending! Nicely done!
I like how ordinary this starts. Just small talk, nothing special… and then the tension creeps in quietly. That contrast really works.
Omggg, as an introvert who has high anxiety and especially hates small talk, this would have been my worst nightmare. Also, what's that thing in his pocket at the end?