Platform Four2
324 Words
The next evening, Maya waited outside Platform Four. Light rain drifted down, turning everything gray and quiet. The old station looked just like it did in her dad’s photo, frozen in time.
Marcus showed up a few minutes later. “You shouldn’t have come alone,” he said.
She gave a little shrug. “I didn’t. You’re here.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he muttered.
Without answering, Maya started toward the platform. The clock on the wall had stopped at 7:15, same as the time scribbled in so many of the letters. Marcus caught it too. “Seven fifteen.”
Maya nodded.
They headed inside. Dust covered everything. The place felt forgotten, heavy with old memories.
Then Maya heard a sound something faint, like clicking. She moved toward the ticket office, drawn by it. Behind the counter, she found a small metal box. She barely touched it and the lid popped open.
Inside, another envelope waited. Her name was right on the front: MAYA CARTER OPEN ONLY AT PLATFORM FOUR.
She ripped it open.
The message was short. “You came exactly when I knew you would.”
Maya’s stomach dropped. Then, as she watched, another line appeared: “Marcus will tell you that your father died.”
She turned toward Marcus. He was staring at the letter, face pale.
One more line faded into view. “Do not believe him.”
Marcus stepped back. “Maya”
“You knew?”
“I swear”
He didn’t get to finish. The station lights flashed on, and a train slid up to the platform across from them. Maya stared she hadn’t seen a working train here in years.
The doors opened with a hiss. Someone stepped out.
The stranger’s eyes found Maya right away.
“Your father asked me to find you,” they said.
Maya stood frozen.
The stranger held out an envelope. “Your next letter is inside.”
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