glass
was of twisted metal, distorted tracks and a grassy bank. Other passengers
were now a mess of broken bodies, lying silent and still or moaning
and writhing, no longer restlessly pacing. They had been thrown together
in painful intimacy, no longer separate identities. The picture was
of a bloody, riotous battle scene, peopled by city businessmen. Those
who were conscious desperately sought their possessions in an absurd
attempt to return to their old lives.
‘Kieran, are you ok?’
He was lying close to me. I touched his shoulder. Slowly he raised
his head and smiled. Simon and I hadn’t laughed together for
months, yet Kieran was smiling, even now.
‘I’m fine, you?’
I wriggled tentatively and nodded my reply. Together we slowly tried
to free ourselves. We sat up and leant on each other, waiting for
help. I was just bruised, I was sure. Kieran squeezed my hand and
reached for my face, pushed back my hair and kissed my forehead. Sobs
welled up inside me. He comforted me in hushed tones and I suddenly,
in a rush and tumble of words I poured out my recent history to him
whilst we waited. |
‘I’m
telling you things I haven’t told my best friend.’ I
said as I finished. ‘I’m usually quite a private person.’
I couldn’t believe I was telling my story to a complete stranger.
‘Well, these are quite exceptional circumstances aren’t
they? If it makes you feel better, here’s a bit about me.
This assignment, it’s real, but I’m running away,’
and he told me of a long relationship that had just ended leaving
him adrift and purposeless.
‘So in a sense we’re fellow travellers,’ I said,
as he finished.
‘And new friends I hope, too.’
The angry businessman lay by us, ominously still. He had a bad head
wound. Over the sound of screaming we heard sirens. I knew it might
be a while before we were released. But I could wait. I drifted
into a light sleep on Kieran’s chest. I was woken moments
later by fire officers helping Kieran and myself to crawl through
the broken window to safety. Fire had broken out further up the
train and the need to evacuate was urgent. They stepped over the
body of the angry man. We were ushered towards the green fields
and safety. My phone was in my pocket, and miraculously I still
held my bag. I knew I should call Simon. |
