In that split second, I learned that somethings in life can change just like that.
There I was, waiting for the train after another long day at work. I stared at the minutes when the next train would arrive. My stomach growled in hunger. One thing I hated about my job, the two-hour daily commute on public transit which I had resort to because my stingy husband wouldn’t even let me get a car.
“Ugh, won’t this damn train come already?” I almost screamed. The notice-board had been saying the train will arrive in 1-minute for the last five minutes.
Finally, I could see the light of the train approaching from the tunnel. At the same time, I heard a horn coming from the opposite direction along with a loud screech of brakes in my ears. Then as if everything stopped, I watched the trains collided before me. Shards of glass flying toward me and yet there was nothing I could do except letting the glass penetrate every inch of me as I fell.
(~175 Words)
I am participating in Priceless Joy’s flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer, where we write a piece between 100 and 150 words (more or less 25 words) in length inspired by the photo prompt above.
Not exactly a lighthearted tale, either. You did a great job of building anticipation for the train to finally get there. Good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it’s not a lighthearted tale. I saw the picture and thought of train colliding. Isn’t that awful? 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I thought, ‘easy, suicide.’ That’s pretty awful, too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess there’s not much we can write on a picture of a train station, either crashing trains or suicide. Either way, someone will end up dead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Yinglan, great story! The ending is sad. Hopefully, she’s not dead, just a little injured. 🙂 Excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. Well, she’s telling the story, isn’t she? So I guess it’s a sign that she’s not dead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good! I’m glad she wasn’t speaking from the dead. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, that would be a whole different story and I probably won’t have enough words to squeeze it in a flash fiction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s fun to see what we can come up with having only a few words to work with. You did excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is fun. Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
Omg, what an ending! Very nice job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very exciting and petrifying. I like how you made the trains collide and I feel awful for the lady caught in the middle — and all the other people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your story! You really showed just how impatient and frustrated one can get when things do not seem to move along as they should.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! The impatient and frustrated part was drawn from life experience. Public transit can be extremely frustrating at times.
LikeLike
Oh my! What a horrible ending. Dramatic, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. Very sad though…… Great job with this prompt. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Glad you like it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh! How horrible this would be 😦 We really never know about the next moment…
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the next moment can change just like that.
LikeLike
It kind of makes you think twice about being impatient for things you are waiting for. Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
A devastating event that would certainly change many people’s lives. I imagine that, even if the woman survives, she could be both mentally and physically scarred for life. Great ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Completely agree, something like that can change anyone’s life. Thank you for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just goes to show how unpredictable life can be. Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Wow I wasn’t expecting that ending. Trains never seem to be on time, except when you’re running late for one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Trains are always late or it can be freakishly early. It’s so annoying when that happens.
LikeLike
That’s definitely a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time! If she survives I hope her stingy husband finally lets her buy a car. Good story. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
well you certainly described that impatient feeling of waiting around for a train perfectly! love the ending too- wasn’t what I was expecting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person