The One That Got Away (499 words) ~ an incident on a train

Consistent reverberations were sent throughout the rapidly moving train which swayed along the tracks, suspended 10 stories above. Gentle piano and chatter filled the cabin. The gaping windows were ambushed with the pattering of sharp raindrops glazing over the expansive landscape of mountains and pines.

“Here’s to all of us and William for successfully setting out on this venture,” announced Elliot as he raised his glass to the heir of the family estate. William awkwardly smiled and waved off the compliments. These types of soirees weren’t his thing. He sat there, all poised and straight. His voluminous cut hair fell onto his brow haphazardly as he moved his gaze elsewhere and hid beautifully arched brows that framed his large, expressive eyes. He had a delicate, aquiline nose, but a stubborn mouth and chin.

“Excuse me, I need to head to the restroom,” said William as he left the flamboyant banquet hall, full of his ideal siblings and relatives; pure, chaste and refined. All things William didn’t want to be.

William walked towards the lavatories only to be interrupted by the abrupt turn taken by the train. He tripped and fell onto the carpeted crimson floor. As soon as he was back on his feet, something felt off. His eyes pierced right through William. This man stood behind him. Inhumanely still.

“Oh excuse me, can I help you?” William called out. No response. The man sharply turned around and bolted into the next cart. ‘What strange people.’ he thought until screams radiated from ahead. William picked up speed, as he ran unsteadily between the cart junctions and pushed the doors open to reveal rattled civilians. He quickened his pace until steps became leaps; with laboured breath, he pushed through towards the end of the train pursuing the disreputable man.

Without much thought, William pushed people to the side, to get through the crowd and over to the man. The distance between them grew shorter, despite the outside illusion of Williams’ stationary state. The last train clumsily slid along the rail tracks and hesitantly pulled up to a halt at Westminster station. Its rickety doors lethargically slid open and wickedly beckoned passengers into its carriage of mystery. As William looked directly ahead through the pane of glass on the other side of the carriage, he caught a glimpse of an aberrant, shady and short streak.

“What? Where’d he g-” Williams’ blood ran cold.

“You’re it.” scruffily said the hooded man, towering tall before William. “Lights. Out.”

“William! William! Hello?” snapped Williams’ mother. “Eat your food stop, daydreaming!”

William suddenly sprang up in his seat, drenched in sweat and filled with despair and perturbation.

“Where’d he go?! I was just with him in the other cart-” he pauses and takes a slow look around. The excessive decor. The ruffled chairs. His theatrical family. William was back at the dining hall.

William hesitantly took his fork and picked up a bite as the man watched through the window, glaring at him, waiting to play again.