Emma B Q5: Crowded Train Prompt

Golden rays peaked through my curtains as I rolled over to switch off the blaring alarm. Slipping my
dressing gown over my shoulders, I headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee- a splash of milk and
two sugars- turning on the radio as I sipped the bitter liquid. Gazing out over the town, I felt a
nauseous feeling wash over me. London always looked stunning on an early summer morning, but
today, the grey apartments stared sinisterly back at me, their dark shadows burning into my eyes.
Nonetheless, I tried to shake the feeling; everything was fine. Kelly Clarkson played in the
background as I finished my coffee swiftly, emptying a few cat biscuits into Caesar’s bowl. I
haphazardly threw on a pair of jeans and a blue flowery blouse after brushing my teeth and calling to
my mum that I was leaving soon. Raking through the tangles, I made a mental note that a new
hairbrush was in order. I swung my backpack over my shoulders, grabbing my keys and leaving the
apartment in one quick motion.

I reached the tube station in no time at all, but it was packed full of people. Liverpool Street always
was pretty busy, although most places were during rush hour. It was the closest station to our
apartment building though, and even in summer, there was no way you could get me to walk to
college. Scanning my travel card, I pushed through the gates and headed down the escalators
towards the eastbound Circle Line. As I reached the platform, the tube pulled away, revealing a
peeling lipstick advert on the wall behind it. I sighed, rolling my eyes. People followed me onto the
platform, men, women and children alike, all waiting aimlessly for the next train. Chatter echoed
down the platform, mixed with babies crying, someone playing Mr Brightside on an old guitar. Soon
the thunderous roar of the train rattled down the tunnel, and I pushed my way to the front of the
platform, stepping on to the tube as soon as it stopped.

“Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge!”

An overwhelming stench pierced my lungs as I edged my way down the carriage, squeezing around
people as I looked for a space. Rubbish spilled out of the bin like a rotting waterfall, mouldy egg
sandwiches smeared into the scratched laminate flooring. Sweaty bodies were pressed up against
one another as more and more people pushed their way onto the tube. As if on cue, the nauseous
feeling returned once more and I felt my coffee churn in my stomach. I grabbed onto the handle
above me as the train lurched to my right, gathering speed as we hurtled through the tunnels. My
eyes met those of a young mother, holding her toddler on her hip.

“You alright, love? You look a bit peaky.” She hoisted the child further up her torso, tickling its belly. I
nodded, trying to smile at her. “You sure?” She carefully eased her way around the man stood to her
left so she was next to me. “I’m Jen, and this is Ellie.” Ellie stuck out her tongue and giggled, her
blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders as she shook her head. Just as I opened my mouth to
respond, a deafening crash erupted from the other side of the carriage.

Then, everything went black.

I fell to the floor, a sharp pain in my stomach. My ears were ringing, the smell of smoke intoxicating
my lungs with every breath I took. I blinked my eyes open, adjusting to the newfound darkness I was
submerged in. Laying on the floor, I felt something tug at my shirt. Reaching out to grab hold of it, I
felt my coffee rising in my throat and I turned my head to aside, vomiting the meagre breakfast I’d
consumed. The bitter acidic taste lingered in my mouth and my head span, a hurricane of questions
and fear flooding my mind. Everything was foggy; I couldn’t see, I couldn’t hear. Laying in the pitch
black silent peril, I felt as though I was floating. Drifting away, somewhere far, far away from
anything I’d ever known before. Sighing for a final time, my body stilled. The pain vanished, the
ringing in my ears came to a sudden stop. I was at peace.