The steady beat of the train tracks filled Charlie’s ears as he stared out of the open window, resting his head in his hand as he watched the scenery flash by. The greenery of the trees went past in a blur, and on the rare occasion that they passed a bird, it looked like a small stain on the rest of the world around him. The people behind him were loud and rowdy, while the person next to him was quite antsy. He was always moving, twisting, or turning in his seat. It was driving Charlie insane.

The burnette haired boy tried to ignore the unpleasant surroundings and instead focused on the rhythmic thump of the tracks against the train. It reminded him of a steady heartbeat, and he tried to pour all of his focus onto the sound. It was comforting, and it was better to listen to than the strangers around him.

Closing his eyes, he allowed his mind to drift, the thumping sound beginning taking over all of his senses. He tuned out the people around him and the loud horn of the train that singled that they were close to their destination. Instead, the only thing that he could hear was the steady thump of the train tracks.

…

…

…

Opening his eyes again, he realized he was no longer on the train. Startled, he tried to sit up and look around at his surroundings, but every movement caused him searing pain that he could hardly bear. He stared at the white ceiling, his arms twitching. Wait, were they twitching? He couldn’t tell, they felt numb.

After a moment’s consideration, he realized that he was in a hospital room. More specifically, he was laying down on a hospital bed and had an IV in his arm. Feeling drowsy, he let his eyes wander around the room, not being able to see much because of the awkward angle he was in. Also because there was a light brighter than the sun shining down onto his face.

Slowly, he swiveled his head until he was staring at the right wall. He noticed a black screen in front of the wall with lines running across it. A heart-rate monitor, he realized. That’s when he began to hear the thumping noise again, but this time, it sounded louder. Closer.

Feeling comforted again, he let himself relax into the bed, closing his eyes once more as he began to drift into sleep.

But then, it stopped.

And the heart-rate monitor flatlined.

…

…

…

He sat up, breathing heavily. His blood felt like ice, and he was freezing. But he was also drenched in sweat. His hair stuck to his face, and his shirt was crumpled and disheveled. The train horn honked. They were reaching the drop-off.

It honked again, even louder, and suddenly, Charlie wasn’t on the train anymore.

But in the middle of the street.

A bright light flashed in front of him, getting closer, and closer. The horn honked again.

And then . . .

Pain.

Unbearable pain.

It hurt so much, he couldn’t even think.

All he could do was scream.

…

…

…

"Hey! Are you alright? Hey, wake up!"

Charlie slowly peeled his eyes open, feeling dizzy and nauseous. His head hurt, and it took him a moment to register what was happening.

"Were you . . . shaking me?” Charlie asked slowly. The person holding him (who he later found out was the guy who couldn’t stay still) was clutching him by the shoulders and gripping onto him tightly. The man had dark skin and even darker curly hair that sat shaggily on the top of his head. It reminded Charlie of a mop, and he almost laughed. Except, his lungs felt like they had collapsed in on themselves, and he couldn’t barely make a breathy chuckle.

"Yes, of course I was. You were passed out on the seat, sweating bullets, and when you finally woke up, you screamed bloody murder and passed out again! Are you having a seizure?" The man suddenly got very close to Charlie, peering into his eyes suspiciously, as if that would do anything.

"I’m fine, just had a nightmare, is all. No need to get so worked up." Charlie mumbled, gently putting his hands on the man’s chest and pushing him away. The dark skinned man narrowed his eyes skeptically, but he looked relieved regardless.

"This is your stop right?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Mine too! What’s your name?"

"Charlie."

"I’m Kirin. Nice to meet you Charlie!"

". . . You too, Kirin."