the Fault in Ourselves

by thatlittletentofblue

"a trolley is running out of control down a track" tFiOS alternate ending fanfic, inspired by something John Green once said about a previous ending of the Fault in Our Stars that was based around Phillipa Foot's Trolley Problem. This is probably not what he had in mind, but authorial intent isn't the most important tool in the fanfiction world.

1. Chapter 1: The Fear

I looked down at my phone, clutched tightly in my left hand. The screen still showing that last, ominous text. "Hazel Grace, would you be able to meet me near Carlton Station at 8:00 this evening? –AW" I texted back at once, "Okay." He didn't respond. All day long, fear tugged at my idle mind. I tried to just watch ANTM, but all sorts of crazy worries found their way into my head. Why would he need to catch a train? Was he running away? Had he finally had enough of being poked and prodded with needles? Was he done fighting his cancer? Done with his family? Done with me? Now, racing down the motorway with one hand clutching my phone and the other with knuckles white against the steering wheel, the fear didn't seem so crazy.

I pulled into the station parking lot at 7:59. It was deserted. I got out of the car and looked around, "Gus?" I called, somewhat lamely. At that moment, my phone buzzed. I caught a glimpse of the time before I answered. 8:00pm, the corners of my mouth twitched. Right on time.

"Hello?"

"Evening, Hazel Grace."

"Gus! Where are you?"

"Not too far. You're in the parking lot, I presume?"

"Ye- wait, what is this? Why am I here?" For a moment, he was silent.

"Face the platforms and look to your left, you'll see a path running alongside the tracks. Walk down it"

"Augustus! What's going on?!"

"I'm getting to that. Just, please, will you do this for me?" Something in his voice got to me. He was pleading.

"Yeah", I managed to utter, "I'll go."

chapter 2 coming soon!