She nervously fidgeted on the worn wooden bench, staring at the board that would direct her to the track of her departing train. Almost everything that was important to her was stuffed in a duffel bag, bursting at the seams. She had opted for the train because it allowed her to disappear: no passport or ID needed. Just cash for a one-way ticket.
Fingering the wad of bills that she had unearthed from under the back porch, she thought of her new life ahead. Over the past months, with regular skimming from her weekly grocery allowance, it had grown to be possibly enough to get her started in a new city, far away from his watchful eyes and terrifying temper. Possibly.
The rows on the board flipped letters. There it was. Atlanta 1:22 train Track 26. Twenty minutes she sat paralyzed, gazing at the track number and destination on the board. She kept staring as the letters flipped again. The train was gone. Maybe next week.
Written for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge #103.
Thanks to Priceless Joy for the prompt and Dawn M. Miller for the photo.
Poor thing, she can’t seem to get the courage to take the train and leave! Great story! I had to delete your link to the InLinkz Story Board because you accidentally linked up the challenge post instead of your story. You are welcome to link up your story! Welcome to the FFfAW challenge! We are happy you have joined us!
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Oh no, I wonder what stopped her getting on that train. I hope she does get away some day.
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Oh, that’s chilling. It’s sad she won’t board that train next week either. I only know that because you painted her picture so clearly. Nicely done.
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Get on that train, Sister.
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Your words created wonderful images and sounds of a busy train station. A sad, yet beautifully poignant story. 🙂
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