He sat alone in the train compartment
it was during war-time
the soldier was on leave from the army
had witnessed the abhorrence
of warfare and his friends lives ended
their funerals attended!
As he sat deep in thought became aware
in the seat opposite
by the window a frail looking woman sat
weeping very quietly
gasped certain nobody else was in there
this compartment to share!
The light was poor as it was the black out
how cold he now felt
sound of bombs dropping in the distance
already very stressed
could only stare at his unexpected visitor
that he could not ignore!
There was nowhere for him to run away
a no corridor train
on this old trundling commuter train
he was stuck here
did not fancy jumping onto the line
this decided to decline!
But suddenly the shape distorted
the face became clear
now saw the black eyes glaring
the once human features
changed into a grotesque outline
his sanity unable to define!
A loud scream like a banshee wail
made him reel away
running to the left locked door
pounding the glass
as it smashed his flesh was torn
shouting as if others to warn!
The train slowly screeched to a halt
station staff ran to his aid
upper body lay over the broken door
they helped him out
in the carriage nobody else was there
to them an odd affair!
Later in hospital his wounds tended
he was unconscious
eventually when he was able to speak
nothing could he recall
but in his mind the image did remain
thought was he going insane?
From then on felt a vile presence near!
The Foureyed Poet.