The darkness gave way to the morning sun that illuminated the dirty platform. Teen girls loitered on the platform while waiting to go into the city to celebrate spring break.1
Alex stood on the platform, the cool breeze rippling his leather jacket; he waited for the train. He was heading back to the university after visiting his parents. Placing his full duffle bag on the ground, he spotted a teenaged girl coming down the stairs like an elderly woman.2
The girl was dressed in the latest clothes; her long black hair was in a French braid. Her brown eyes took in the swarm of teenagers that kept casting glances at her. 3
Alex noticed that she walked with stiffness and then watched her sit down on the bench. He recognized the girl from his neighborhood; her name was Cathy. His mother had told him that she was afflicted with some type of arthritis.4
The teenagers became loud and obnoxious, prompting Alex and the regular commuters to move farther down the platform. They desired the peace and quiet so they could concentrate their Blackberries and Smartphones. Alex looked at his watch and realized the train was running late.5
The girls swarmed around each other like bees as they stared and pointed conspicuously toward where Cathy sat on the bench.6
Lifting his head, Alex saw the crowd of girls surrounding Cathy. They laughed, smiled, and joked about the solitary girl that looked like a ghost. A boy approached the group just as Alex turned his head away.7
Cathy's scream cut through the background noise of the platform. The boy had pulled her from the bench, causing her arthritic joints severe pain. Alex stepped forward to help as a stranger grabbed his arm.8
The stranger, wearing a trench coat and in his fifties, smiled at Alex.9
"They're just playing," he said as he set the briefcase on the ground.10
"Are you sure?" Alex asked.11
"Yeah, they're merely killing time while waiting for the train." The stranger waved his hand dismissively.12
"There's something the matter with that girl."13
The stranger placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "Look, son. If you get involved and nothing is wrong, they will cause you trouble. Take my advice and don't get involved because the train will be here soon."14
Alex's mind gave him a list of reasons why he shouldn't get involved with the situation. He noticed the boy had stopped pulling Cathy as she wobbled away from the bullies. Her deep brown eyes stared into his as he turned away and waited for the train.15
More teenaged laughter filled the platform. He tried to ignore it and hoped that Cathy had gone home. The train whistled as it approached the station. Alex saw Cathy near the edge of the platform. The boy attempted to grab her.16
The train's whistle blew as it made its final approach. Cathy slapped the boy.17
His face turning red in a fit of anger, he pushed her. She stumbled backwards and fell off of the platform and onto the tracks. The teenagers ran to the platform.18
Alex watched the horror unfold as the girl tried to move out of the way but was hampered by her acute arthritis. A scream erupted from her throat as the train rolled over her. He turned his head away.19
The stranger who had grabbed Alex's arm said, "What a shame. I'm going to be late for work."20
Alex balled his fist and struck the man's face. He dropped onto the stranger and repeatedly pounded his face. Alex yelled, "A young girl died for no reason and we did nothing to help her!"21
A woman shouted. "Stop it. You'll kill him."22
The commuters pulled Alex off the stranger. He struggled to break away from the arms that held him. They dragged Alex away from the man. He watched the scene as security guards raced toward Cathy.23
Alex sat on the ground and wept like a baby for Cathy. 24
"Why did I listen to the stranger?" Alex sobbed.25
He wished he had done things differently that morning.26
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Great write!
