Dear Stranger, Goodbye Stranger

Entry 1

Dear Stranger,

I saw a man on a train with crazed eyes. He was bold and unsteady, but he didn't seem to care. I asked if he was okay, his only response was "They planned this." I stood and wondered who 'they' was. The government? His family perhaps? I stood there unsure, a raised eyebrow seemed to catch him. He was a curious man, with nothing but fear and anger in his widened eyes. "They're watching. They're planning." I didn't know how to respond. So I stood there, watching this curious little paranoid man walk with a hunch. I offered the man my seat, he seemed to be walking for a little while. He agreed pleasingly and sat down. 

He continued to mutter that the 'they' were still coming. "Who is 'they'?" I asked reluctantly. "They is them and them is they." The crowd of onlookers on the shaky metro train stuffed headphones in their ears to block out the crazy. His body didn't keep still, a bouncing leg and his head in his hands. I'm sure the powerful stares around are thinking, probably another junkie, had a shoot before he got on and now he's paranoid and disturbing the peace. I wanted to ignore the uneasiness in the air, but I couldn't help but stare. Stare at this poor man consumed by their thoughts. 

Our thoughts are powerful and often persuade us to do foolish things or induce a belief in a non-existing scenario. He was just another one who was persuaded. I took it upon myself to kneel down, a hand on his shaky knee. "The world is not in our favour, but you are safe as long as you ignore them watching you." I didn't smile or show any emotion. The shaking leg stopped and his crazed eyes stared at me. I accepted the silence as the train halted to the station. Passengers headed off and so did I. I don't know what happened to him, but I hope he is safe from whoever 'they' are. 

Goodbye Stranger.