We are standing outside on a platform, all of us jammed together like sardines waiting for the next tram. Everyone is anxious, restless and obviously wants to get on this next one. We feel it in our feet before we see it and everyone simultaneously inches forward. As it rounds the bend we see it come into view, and They are on the roof of it as usual. Everyone hunkers down as the beams start shooting from their guns. The blasts come quick and hot, the person next to me no longer has a face and someone is using his body as a shield. The tram is closer now, coming to a stop in front of us.

The shots are still coming, quick and plentiful. It’s so eerily quiet no one is making any noise. I’m crouching as low as I can, trying not to look at the lady near me who is looking for her arm on the platform underneath everyone’s feet. The doors open and there’s a massive rush of pressure from behind as everyone tries to make it inside. I’m pretty much pushed into the tram as a beam shoots near me. I stumble in and feel blood on me, I put my hand up to my head and feel the bottom part of my ear is missing and bleeding profusely. The doors close and I stare at what’s left on the platform, probably at least 15 bodies laying still, I see the ladies arm but not her, I see a foot lying sideways. I feel the blood dripping down my body from my ear as the tram leaves this platform.

I look around inside and everyone appears dazed, no one really looking at anyone or meeting anyone’s eyes. I look forward towards where the tram is heading and begin to feel nervous again as we get closer to the large mountain ahead. There’s nothing except darkness in the tunnel as we enter it, pure and utter darkness. I glance around again as the last of the light fades and everyone is staring at the floor, blood dripping everywhere, still no noise other than the sound of the tram on the tracks. It feels as if we go on for a really long time in the darkness, long enough for the blood to start to dry on me, when I finally feel the tram start to slow down and then come to a stop. I hear the doors open, there are no lights anywhere, no noise to be heard, just the urgency to move.

Continued in Pt.2 of 4…

© 2017 Mj Gale