63. I Am Not Alone

I step out of the train station and into the open air. The weather is pleasant enough but there are clouds pregnant with rain in the distance. I’ve never been here before, but I know the station is near a body of water. Either a lake or a big river. I can’t remember which. I look around but there is no water to be seen. Just the concrete of the station and a huge, empty parking lot. There is not a single person in sight.

I can hear the distinctive hum of traffic in the distance, but I see no movement whatsoever. I know that two other people got off the train when I did, but they have completely disappeared. To where, I do not know. There are some buildings beyond the parking lot, but nothing to indicate any kind of human presence.

There is a path that leads around the parking lot, and I follow it. I’m expecting someone to appear at any moment but there is nothing. No people, no movement, no water. I suddenly wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake. I look back at the station and confirm its name is what it should be. I tell myself I’m in the right place.

The bark of a large dog sounds somewhere nearby. I’m startled at first and then reassured. It means there is life here. The path I’m following continues up a small hill. Reaching the top, I can now see the street. A car goes by. I tell myself this is good. There are signs of life.

I look up and down the broad street and there is not a single pedestrian. Just unfriendly square buildings, spindly trees struggling to grow, and the smell of car exhaust. I seem to be the only person on foot. Strange, but maybe it’s normal for this town. I look out beyond the street and see a body of water in the distance, on the other side of the tracks. I want to get there, but I do not know how.

I start off down the street, in what must be the right direction. Every minute or two another car goes by. Because of the sun in my eyes, I cannot see the drivers. And so I still have not seen a human being. No one standing, no one sitting, no one walking. I’m certain I was told this is a popular town. Where is everyone? Has there been some kind of disaster?

The rumble of another train approaching washes away my questions. I watch it pass through the station without stopping. I can see people inside the train cars. I am not alone. I keep telling myself this as I continue down the street. I am not alone.