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The train rocked beneath her like it was trying to lull her into forgetting.
But she couldn't.
Not the look on her father's face. Not the hateful stares her so-called family gave her while blaming her for everything.
Not the silence that followed.
She stared out the window, but the world rushed by too fast to catch—just like everything else. Her cheeks were stained with tears as she sat there, wondering where exactly she was going from here.
She watched people get on and off the train, all of them with somewhere to go. People they cared about. People who cared about them.
While she, on the other hand, had no one.
Stranded. Utterly alone.
Sitting on an uncomfortable train seat, wondering where she'd spend the night.
"Rough night?"
The voice startled her. An older woman across the aisle, knitting something blue and warm-looking. She looked to be in her seventies, knitting away without a care in the world.
I nodded. No words.
The woman didn't press—just kept knitting.
"Sometimes," she said softly, "it takes losing everything to find out what really matters."
I blinked. Frowned. Looked away.
Soon, an attendant began walking down the aisle, stamping tickets.
That was when it hit me: I hadn't paid before getting on the train.
I didn't even know how. I'd never ridden a train in my life.
My heart started pounding.
It was my turn.
"Ma'am, can I have your ticket, please?" the attendant smiled gently, holding out his hand.
I fumbled through my bag, stammering, "I'm sure I put it in here somewhere..."
Then I looked up and said weakly, "Sorry... I think I might have lost it."
I wasn't convincing anyone. The attendant saw right through me.
"Ma'am, if you don't have a ticket, I'll have to ask you to step off the train."
Wow, dude. Way to kick a girl when she's already down.
Panic swelled in my chest. I could feel the tears starting again.
"Please... I can't get off this train," I said, practically begging.
"If you don't comply, I'll have to contact the authorities," he replied, bored now. Clearly done with me.
He sighed. "If you can't leave, then purchase another one."
And that was the other problem—I had no money. No savings.
Every cent I had was spent on things I wanted, not things I needed.
I know. Bad money choices. But it was too late for regrets.
The train was silent now. Heads were turning. Staring. Judging.
I said nothing.
From my silence, he must have realized the truth. I couldn't pay.
He opened his mouth, probably about to humiliate me further, when the woman across the aisle spoke up.
"Don't worry. I'll pay for her."
I froze.
Then turned to look at her—gratitude flooding my eyes.
He rolled his eyes, took her money, and walked away muttering something about "poor bums taking charity."
I turned to her, heart full. "Thank you so much, ma'am."
She smiled warmly. "Anytime, dear."
Then she looked at me with kindness—and something else. Understanding.
"I know how tough the world can get."
That was it. That look in her eyes cracked something open in me.
And I broke.
I started bawling. Right there. On a train full of strangers.
Sobbing so hard I didn't care who was watching. It felt so good—so necessary—to be understood.
She reached over and rubbed my back, gentle and calm.
I don't know what her story is. I don't know what she's been through.
But that look in her eyes... it was like she had been in the exact same position I was in now—even though she knew nothing about me.
I felt seen.
Eventually, I calmed down. I didn't even notice, but sometime during my breakdown, she had moved to sit beside me.
She kept rubbing my back softly as I stared forward, quiet.
Then she asked, "Where's your stop?"
I said nothing.
She nodded, like she expected that.
"Would you like to come live with me?"
My immediate response?
No.
At least, that's what my brain screamed. I didn't know her.
She could be anyone. A serial killer for all I knew.
But my heart... didn't agree.
Not just because the idea of an old lady in her seventies killing people was laughable.
But because when I looked in her eyes, I knew—she would not hurt me.
She only had kindness in her. Only had my best interests in mind.
Even though my brain was yelling that I was insane, that I'd end up in a ditch missing my kidneys...
I said:
"Yes."
Sealing my fate.
Because honestly... what did I have left to lose?
Short chapter today guys 😅 sorry about that .
I wonder who the grandma is.
See you on the next one guys