by Erick Mancilla
The Metro can be a boring ride or an underground trip to Mars. Down there, people can be… anomalous. Going down, I was one of two riders and he creeped me right the hell out. While not staring, he kept shooting looks at me.
I focused harder on my phone. Thank God for game apps.
Through my periphery, he began with odd gestures. For the most part, these guys are harmless, but right now, that’s no comfort.
Why does this happen to me? Stay calm, Diana. These things don’t always end badly.
It occurs to me to get off a stop before mine and wait for the next train home. Damn, his gesticulations have become more animated, frantic.
“Mother,” he gurgles.
I’m quick off the train as planned, leaving him riding on. I’m the only one on the platform, what a huge relief. Then, soft footsteps alert me to someone at the far end of the station.
He yells at me, “Mommy, don’t leave me.” His wailing keeps on and on until the train arrives.
Thinking of home, I jump in and pass him by.
Finally, at my stop and stepping off, a woman whispers in my ear a word that makes me sick.
Erick Mancilla works day and night trying to find the door to that Other Dimension. He writes short stories in the hope The Key will be found within one of them. He is a blogger at observationdeck.kinja.com and can also be found @DeapGreanDream.