Just wanted to say before I post this, this story isn't a reflection of my current state of mind! I'm very happy with life, but this story inspiration sort of came in a dream so I wanted to write it out before I forgot it. You don't need to read my previous story to understand this one, and the style is different from what I've previously done. At the end of each chapter I'm going to list a song that best reflects the chapter, so I'd recommend listening to it for the reading experience! Thanks for reading!
August 2004
Two people stood in the middle of Shining Time Station. They stood wordlessly side by side for at least ten minutes before one turned to the other, leaning heavily on the cane held in their hand.
"Well, I guess it all started and ended here," was said with a heavy sigh.
The other participant stared wordlessly to where the former arcade used to stand, and swept his gaze over to the old Station Master's desk with ghosts in his eyes. Finally the haunted eyes deflected to the floor where they remained.
"Yeah, I guess it does." Was all that was said.
The first hobbled over to the ticket desk in the middle of the floor and placed one hand softly on the aged wood.
The second followed and put one hand over the other's hand. The first was shocked by the rare show of affection and looked up to meet tear filled eyes.
"Was there anything that I could have done?" The second asked.
The first squeezed the proffered hand tightly.
"No. No, there wasn't anything that could have prevented this."
"But I keep thinking that things could have been different."
"They could have, but they weren't. This wasn't the path that we were directed on."
The second slowly turned away, looking defeated. The first walked towards the door with some difficulty.
"I'm going back to the funeral. Are you staying here?"
"No. There's nothing left here." Was the hollow response.
They walked out without another word, trying to ignore the emptiness that the sign hanging on the door brought.
"Station Closed Permanently".
Breathe me - Sia