Summary

A woman recounts a harrowing experience of feeling threatened and vulnerable during a late-night train ride home after a night out in the city, when she finds herself alone with a strange man who appears to be masturbating.

Abstract

The narrative describes the protagonist's contrasting experiences of enjoying the vibrant nightlife in the city and the subsequent anxiety of catching the last train home. Her initial relief at making the train turns into fear when she realizes she is alone with a man who seems to be engaging in lewd behavior. The five-minute journey to the next station feels interminable as she anxiously awaits the safety of a more populated environment. The story concludes with her escaping to another train carriage as soon as the train reaches the next stop.

Opinions

The protagonist views the city as a place of excitement and danger, juxtaposing the fun of bars and clubs with the risks of late-night travel.
She expresses a sense of vulnerability and fear about being alone in public transport at night, highlighting the potential threats faced by women.
The protagonist's discomfort is intensified by the man's apparent sexual misconduct in her presence, emphasizing the violation of personal space and safety.
The story suggests that public spaces, particularly at night, can quickly turn from safe to threatening, underscoring the importance of bystander presence and awareness for personal security.
The author implies that societal issues, such as sexual harassment, can occur in mundane settings like a train ride, requiring constant vigilance.

Micro Monday, Fictionalised Flash Fiction, Train Prompt

Exposed: Five Minutes is all it Takes

Train Prompt: Three hundred seconds of my heart beating faster, scared of what he may try next.

The best thing about working in the city was being near to all the coolest bars and clubs in the West End. On a Friday night my workmates and I would head off to the pub then, on to a tiny club we’d found round the side of Dean Street. To be honest it was verging on seedy, but on occasions it hosted excellent live music. Bands that would make it — but hadn’t quite got there.

The worst thing about working in the city was having to catch the last train home. There was the ever present fear that you’d actually miss it, not to mention travelling alone isn’t always the best thing to do at midnight. But living to the max in those days meant taking a few risks.

One night I hopped on with minutes to spare, making sure it was not a small carriage. I can’t think why they were ever put into circulation. Asking for trouble. In fact, one day a friend of mine…

Hang on, I am digressing. That story can wait for another time. Where was I?

I just made the last train. Banged the door shut on a large carriage and slumped into my seat, a little tipsy. I briefly glanced ahead, along the centre aisle, and couldn’t see any other passengers.

The train attendant blew his whistle as a sign of imminent departure, and behind me, I heard the sound of someone else getting on the train and slamming the door. Only the two of us then. Still, the next station was five minutes away, and it was a busy one. Thames side. I was certain others would join us there. Nothing to worry about. Was there?

Five minutes is all it takes… To feel exposed.

As the train left the station, I glanced out my window. Being as it was dark outside and there were lights in the compartment, the most I got to see was my reflection… But then — I saw his.

The late arrival.

He’d moved and was seated to my left, diagonally over the other side, so I had a perfect view of him in the glass.

Long hair, denim jacket. Just a guy on his way home?

Five minutes, nothing to worry about.

Five minutes is all it takes… To feel vulnerable.

His eyes on me.

I did not want to look directly at him. I had two choices, close my lids and have no control, or glance out the window. Trouble was, when I did the latter, I saw his mirror image.

Fly undone. Long, thin and upright. Hand, back and forth... Eyes on me.

Five minutes is a long time.

and is all it takes to feel threatened by what someone else is doing.

Three hundred seconds of my heart beating faster.

Three hundred seconds of being scared of what he may do next…

Moments before the train came into the next station… so did he.

As soon as it was safe, I leapt out of the carriage, ran along the platform and chose another, containing laughing, smiling people.

Time to breathe… Five minutes was all it took.

Written for the Train prompt — Read about it here

A transgressive non-consensual tale by me:

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