The State of Liminality

Chapter 1

It's so quiet. The image of what seemed to be a room came into my head, I saw what looked to be a bedroom, with a bed and everything, as it should. But there was something unsettling about it, I couldn't tell but the thought just gives me goosebumps throughout my entire body. It was a strange thought since I was only going to the subway station, it was dark out here, and pretty empty to the point where it doesn't feel like it. The emptiness, how quiet it was, it left me an eerie feeling just thinking about it. I'm just walking down the street and I could already feel like I'm being watched, like someones just standing there behind me from afar, waiting for me.

I could only shake my head to try and push the thought away, every time I look back there's nothing there. I know it's supposed to reassure me but it just felt wrong, like my mind was playing tricks on me. I know there's someone but I can't see anything, at least not with my eyes. Just a plain sidewalk. The street lights lit up the area but not l enough.

¨The last train is going to leave in about a few minutes, I repeat the last train is leaving in just about a few minutes.

I stood in front of the entrance. All of that thinking for nothing, I seriously thought I was gonna go overboard with myself. I made my way down the stairs, at the time I didn't have a ticket but I didn't need it this time. The machines for the tickets were shut off by the time I tried so I just walked past them so I could make my way to the last train.

As expected the area was completely empty, no one was there. So much for keeping myself cool. But it was a bit different since most of the lights lit up the place which made it look just about normal, but that eerie feeling didn't leave my side, I couldn't put my finger on it, these spaces just didn't seem right to me. I just wanted to go home but I knew I had to go through this, I mean usually go here every single day, I just don't know why today feels different.

The stations were separated so it was harder to get to different stations but was less crowded which just made it unsettling. I stood in front of the track as I waited ¨It should be here any minute now.¨ I thought as I only continued to stand there, waiting, listening. All I heard was the sound of tracks,¨ the train was coming¨ I thought. ¨It's getting closer.¨ It took less then a few seconds before the train actually came, it blasted forward making a large gust of wind spread around it blowing air at my face and throwing my hair that used to be on my shoulders onto my back. It made me feel fresh, ¨That's what I need¨ I thought as I sighed ¨It's all just my imagination playing tricks on me..yeah. It's usually like that¨ I thought until the last part blurted out as I realized. No it isn't. I usually feel and think just fine.

The train doors cut my thoughts off as they opened, of course ignorance was what I did to my thoughts. I mean it works most of the time. But it wasn't healthy, that's for sure, I walked into the train and took a seat to wait for the train to start again. As I laid back on my seat I heard a low moan from behind me, that's what made me jump. Right out of my seat ¨What the hell?¨ I mumbled as I turned around ¨Oh¨ I sounded disappointed for whatever reason but to my surprise it was also just a little lady. ¨Oh I didn't scare you did I?¨ She asked as she slowly walked in the take a seat ¨Oh no no- I was just caught off guard that's all.¨ Of course you did lady, I mean were alone in a goddamn train, you find that normal? I sighed out of relief as I returned to my seat correctly, after a few seconds the speakers went off ¨The last train is setting off from section 6, I repeat the last train is setting off from section 6. Wow I'm guessing they have cameras, I mean were probably the only people here. I shifted back a bit as I looked back to see where the old lady was and to my surprise, she was actually gone. No trace left. Or so I thought.

The train's engine started running again as I heard a horn. So loud. I stood up but kinda wobbled a bit since the train tracks were usually  a bit bumpy at the start. I checked the seats and the whole entire area but I couldn't find the old lady, this section of the train wasn't even big enough to hide in. I started having an uneasy feeling, resentment started filling my entire body up as I sat back down to my original spot. There's nowhere to exit this train especially now so where could she have gone?

(Sorry if it was short but I hope it's a good beginning!)