The 9:00 pm train to Essex is now delayed for an hour. Thank you for your patience.

Around him, he heard a groan and a foot stomp. He could barely see the faces of people around him, but he could just make out the shape of someone’s head. He peered at the dimly lit clock, the only source of light in the station. 9:32. He was supposed to be home by now, just like he promised. Dammit. I can’t be late again, he thought. He could picture her small face, staring at him with those sad eyes. Her lips would quiver and her hands would be holding on to her raggedy stuffed bunny. Yet she would always raise her other hand to him, extending her pinky so that once again he could have another chance to fulfill his promise.

The fog enveloped everything in its presence; there was no escaping it. He felt an eerie presence behind him as if someone was watching him. His body tensed and a shiver went down his spine. He slowly turned his head but all he saw was the outline of a woman. His muscles slowly relaxed again, realizing that there was nothing to be afraid of.

He slid his phone out of his pocket and dialed the babysitter. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be home late. I’m so sorry. The train was delayed. I’ll try not to let it happen again. Okay, I’ll see you later. Thanks again.” He placed his phone back into his jacket pocket.

He felt three gentle taps on his shoulder. He spun around, inches away from a stranger’s face. Although it was dark, he could just make out the features of her face. The thinness of her lips, her hollow cheeks, her round eyes. She held out a black wallet in her gloved hand with his initials engraved on the front.

“Thank you,” he said with a smile.

As he reached to take the wallet from her hand, he accidentally tugged on her glove. The glove came off her hand to reveal grey peeling skin covered with red scratches. A rotten smell reeked from her. Out of fear, he froze, not knowing what to do or say. She hurried away quickly in the other direction. All he could do was watch her, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. She peered over her shoulder and gave him a piercing glare, her eyes appeared to be glowing a soft red.

All he could do now was wait. He trembled thinking of her decomposing hand and its foul smell. Who was she? Where did she come from? What was she? Was she even human?

The 9:00 pm train to Essex is canceled. Sorry for the inconvenience.

His foot hit the ground hard as he stomped twice; the first time out of frustration, the second time to shake off his nerves. No! Dammit! She won’t forgive me this time, he thought. Her small hands would curl around the top of the couch, with her eyes wide open she would stare out the window until the sky grew black. Her feet would trudge along the wooden floors in the hallway, her raggedy stuffed bunny dragging behind her. She would be tucked into bed, but this time without a bedtime story or a kiss on her forehead. Her pillow would be slightly damp from her tears. He knew that he had to get home safely so that he could shower her with kisses and beg for her forgiveness in the morning.

He decided to walk to the bus station. His feet moved mechanically as he took deep breaths, praying that he wouldn’t run into her again. As he reached the bottom of the steps, he gazed left and right, like a child would at a crosswalk; as his daughter would. No sign of her. He began the five-minute walk to the bus station. When he reached the stop and saw that no one was there, he breathed a sigh of relief. He waited for the next bus, impatient. He prayed that it would come at any moment so that he could return to his daughter as soon as possible.

All of a sudden, he felt the cold pavement of the sidewalk beneath his body. A pair of glowing red eyes appeared above him. And then … nothing.