Subway

Chapter One

I was late.

So late.

I was sitting in the subway cars, trying to catch up on my homework. How was I stupid enough to have fun all day and not do my homework? I am in college, for heaven's sake! I pulled out my Psychology 101 textbook.

Huh. Psychology. I still wonder why I took that class. It is known as the class for no purpose, because almost no job will pay for psychology skills. Still, I took it because I was "young and excited."

I looked out the window onto the platform at Lexington Avenue. I walked out of the car before the work rush came on. I sat on the bench, trying to catch up. My train led to NYU, the school I went to. The train I went on finally pulled into the station.

I hopped on as quick as I could to get a seat. Surprisingly, almost no one was on the train. I didn't care, as long as I got to sit.

I ran over to a seat and sat down. I pulled out my schedule.

Great. The first week of school, and I get 10 minutes late.

I don't worry about that, and I pull out my psychology book out again.

Our teacher, Mr. Robinson (making us pronounce it Roe-ben-sin) had assigned us to read about the state of mind.

My state of mind that was confused, jumbled, and lost. I could not focus at all.

Finally the train pulled into Astor Place Station. I quickly packed up everything, and ran off. As soon as I got onto the platform, I took off, running through the exit and up the stairs. I was so late!

I got out onto Astor place, and tried to run, when my books fell. I started to pick them up when a man ran into me. He backed up and took off into the station. The man was holding something silver, but I didn't see it. I picked up my 7-pound psychology book and packed everything up.

I ran down towards Broadway when I started to think about what was going to happen. Was I going to get detention? Well, duh. Of course I was going to get detention.

I made it onto Broadway and started to walk South. I needed to get to Washington Square before anything major happened.

I made it onto Waverly Place when people just started to look distressed. They were all looking at their phones and looking shocked. I noticed, but didn't think much of it. I just needed to get to school.

I finally made it to Washington Square. I saw the school, and really started to run. I ran up, and entered the building. I forgot where Mr. Robinson's classroom was. I just started to run down the hallway and I remembered. I ran back, and turned around the corner. I opened the door, and, to my surprise, they were watching the news.

Mr. Robinson said "Is! Where were you?"

I replied "Uh, I just came from the Astor Place Station. Just a little late."

He looked scared. He said "Did you see it?"

I said "See what?"

"A man with a knife went down in the Astor Place Station and had a huge killing spree. He killed 3 people."

Oh my gosh.

That man.

He was holding a knife.

I backed up into the wall. I was muttering "Oh my gosh... oh my gosh..." And I fell to the floor.

I didn't pass out, but I wish I did. I could've stopped that man. I could've saved those people.

Some of my classmates rushed with a chair. I sat on it, but it didn't help me. I was still in shock. I was only worrying about myself, when I could've saved them.