The Train Ride Aaron Castrejon Litrus art editor Jake sat at the station on a bench by the open doors. The station seemed oddly empty, save for the attendant at the ticket window. Jake's suitcase was by his feet and his overcoat rested in his left arm. It was 6:38 p.m. The sun was setting. To the east, a massive cloudbank was rolling in. The forecasters called for a big storm to hit; it would hit by nightfall and bring steady showers. Possibly some lighting and thunder. Jake could not remember a time when the train station was so desolate. It was bustling with people. All he could remember is that the station was full of life when he was happier.

He observed the remnants of life in the empty station. Discarded food wrappers on the floor, old ticket stubs, a hat left on a chair, and a half-empty cup of coffee. Jake looked at his ticket. It was the 6:40 train he waited for. He sought a new beginning. A new life. Wherever he was going, it was better than here. All he could think of right now was of what he had lost, of how it started out perfect and how it faltered. He took the things she did for granted. It happened on a daily basis. He lost his sense of commitment to her. He let his lust drive himself towards another. Then one day she left. There were no second chances, no "Let's just forget about it." It was done.

Jake heard the faraway screeching of steel on steel as the 6:40 train approached. It came to a rest right in front of the open doors. Jake rose, got together his belongings and headed towards the train. Just before he left the station, he observed some scribbles someone had left behind on the wall. It read "circulus vitiosus." It was Latin, Jake remembered. He thought back to when he was in Catholic school, when they still taught Latin. "Vicious cycle," the words read. There was no conductor present. There was nobody on the platform. There was just a lifeless train parallel to a lifeless platform next to a lifeless station. Jake looked towards the west and saw the setting sun as it projected light through a tiny break in the clouds. He stood there until the sun disappeared behind the black blanket of clouds. Jake took a deep breath and began his journey to nowhere.