Ghost Town

By: United1175

    A loud roar grabs my attention. A freight train barrels past the station; the squealing and buffing echoed inside the station. I sat up and looked around; the station was very dimly lit. Only a few light bulbs still worked: One that was right above me and another that was over by the ticket machine. As the cars rumbled by, the light above shock and flickered. I looked at my watch, '12:35 PM'. Only one thought ran through my mind: Stupid. I looked over at the electronic ticket machine It was my fault for not checking if the time was A.M. or P.M. when I bought my ticket. So I've spent the last few hours, wondering around the station and this rinky dink little town. However, I found the whole thing quite odd.
    First off, the train that dropped me here said that this was the end of the line; Even though my ticket read clear to Los Angeles. I was just sitting in my sleeping compartment and this Coronal Sanders conductor nudged me off the train. I was buried deep in my book, though, so I wasn't paying too close attention to what was going on outside. I grabbed my bag from the downstairs area and stepped off the train. But it was almost the end of the line for me because the platform was low and the conductor didn't put out the step. Thankfully, I put my duffel bag out in front of me to cushion the fall.
    As soon as I landed, the conductor slammed the door behind me. And as I gotta up; the deafening horn sounded and the train left particularly quick. I looked around, aside from the two track mainline, this station had an awning and a small building. I picked up my bag and made my way to the building. It was a two-story structure that looks like it was built over a hundred years ago. On the side of the station was a white sign that read Laguna, New Mexico. I had no clue if anyone was even here. 
    When I walked up to an open door, my duffel bag was too wide for the narrow doorway; I decided to leave it on a bench outside. Not wanting to leave my bag unattended, I peered in. The room was quite dark, it didn't seem like anyone had even been in that room for years. The only visible thing in there was a blue electronic ticket machine. That had reminded me I had a schedule in my bag. I zipped it open and pulled out my ticket pouch. I open it and the ticket for sure said LAX. At this rate, I was definitely going to miss my reunion in Santa Barbara. I would have flown, but airfare has gotten so high, That it was cheaper to buy a round-trip by train, than even on one way buy the cheapest airline.
    I then thought about the schedule and immediately flipped to the Southwest Chief. I began scrolling down the station list from Raton to Gallup. I then made the discovery; This town wasn't even on the schedule. I thought there might have been a mistake on schedule, so I flipped to the system map. I traced the tracks all over New Mexico and not a single one listed Laguna. I then thought of my phone; if nothing else, I could use my GPS. I pulled it out and turned it on; 100% battery. This is the result of actually reading and not using my phone at all during the trip. I pulled down the tab and activated my GPS. I went over to apple maps and waited to have the GPS lock on.
    It seemed like it was thirty minutes and my phone was heating up immensely. I was trying to keep it alive by touching it every few seconds. The screen was 95% white and had to strain my eyes to actually look at the phone; as not to move it around. It was heating up and I was trapped on the bench. There was no way I could possibly carry my duffel bag and my carry on bag without putting my phone in my pocket. This struggle was tearing at me, but fate had other things plans. My phone suddenly burst into flames, so I threw it on the concrete platform. When it landed it broke in two, and the fire stopped almost immediately. It didn't matter, though, the phone was useless. With my free hands, I decided to check out the station. 
    Inside the musky old structure were two long benches the stretched the length of the building. There was a cool breeze that swept through the building; much better than outside. It almost reminded me of this small train station I went to once in California. One major difference, though, was the incredible darkness. Even though it was 11:50 in the morning, the lack of windows and overhead lights meant the whole room was blanketed in darkness; minus the doorways and two working lights. I scouted out a location to drop my stuff and picked a spot next to the ticket machine. 
    After setting down the bags, I walked over to the ticket machine. The familiar blue with the white lettering was a soothing sight for reasons I can't explain. Perhaps it was the most modern thing I'd seen in this place since that train booked it outta here. I was pressing buttons vigorously, trying to find the next train to L.A. From there, even if I miss my scheduled train, I can always hop on another train. 
    But then I see it, a train that leaves at 12, I won't have to reschedule. I'll just have 20 minutes less layover in L.A., that's all. I sped through the ticket process as not to miss this opportunity. The transaction screen popped up and I just printed my ticket out. I tore it off and ran over to my bags; gathering everything up in a dash, and made my way outside. 
    I park my bag near the bench and peer out east over the tracks. The desert expanse stretches for miles with a straight double track mainline. You'd think you'd be able to see a train of any sorts, but nothing was out there. I did see an old Semaphore single, though. The arm was up so I was sure that it was operational. I looked at my watch, '11:58'. That's strange, I thought, It's almost midday. The train should be arriving soon.
    I walk over to my bag pocket, where I slid my ticket in. I pulled it out and flipped to the arrival time. That was when I saw it, one simple mistake that I dreaded; All because of one simple letter. I reluctantly slid the ticket back into the pocket and grabbed my bags. As I stood up, I looked at my watch. '12:05' ;Wow, time had really gone quickly, I thought. I glance down the tracks again, the rails glistened in the sun, but not a single train was on them. I knew that right away, I was going to have to wait a full twelve hours before continuing on my way to L.A.
    Slowly, I Grudgingly dragged my bags into the same spot as last time. As I set it down, I remembered a little comforter I had. I dug into my bag and pulled it out along with my pillow. I always take my own stuff on trips because I find hotels to be a bit disgusting; no matter how fancy. I set it up on the bench, propping the pillow up on my duffel bag and setting my carry on at the end to prop my feet up.
    That takes me to where I stand now. I breathe a sigh of dismay, contemplating what I'm going to do for the next 12 hours. I decided it was best to check out this little town. Sorting through my bag, I dig out my wallet and set off. I made my way through the doors opposite the tracks and stepped out; The hot summer air slapping me as if to scold me even more.
    Looking around, it wasn't what I was expecting at all. Instead of the small New Mexican Town with few buildings and a road through it; this place looked like a set of an old western. The buildings were lined up symmetrically and a main street of sorts was formed. All the shops you would expect to see in an old western town. There was a General Store, A Black Smith, and a Saloon just to name a few.
    I slowly make my way down the street; not a soul in sight. I thought back to the train, maybe they stopped because there was another train on the line and that old man thought I was supposed to get off. It seemed to be the most logical answer out of all of them. But before I could think further, a sound caught my ear. Faint but familiar, I began to trace the source.
    As I neared the end of the street, the sound was pronounced; it was piano. The piano became more pronounced the closer I got. I was soon able to identify the song; it was Love's Sorrow — Rachmaninoff's Arrangement. It was a patriotically beautiful piece, I first heard it in that anime, 'Your Lie In April.' As I wandered through the streets, the sound became stronger and stronger. My stepping pattern matched the tempo as I approached a large mansion. This building was perched on a hill that overlooked the town; you could see for roughly 25 miles.
    The mansion was a large wooden structure, It honestly looked like something Disney would make. I walked up the steps and onto the patio. The double doors towered above me. Being just 5'10, the doors were at least 12 feet high and seemed unrealistic in a way. I reached for the closest knocker and pounded it. The sound bounced around, not only the building but all over the place.
    The piano expectantly stopped and I have greeted with silence once again. I thought he wasn't able to hear me; I knocked again. Then the faint sound of heels clicked closer and closer to the door. The heels would click in intervals of three and then stop for two seconds. I thought to myself, who walks like this? As I continue to imagine, the sound of a lock turning shakes the house.
    On the other side of the door, stood a tall, thin, Japanese woman. She had brown hair and looked to be in her early thirties. She had messy hair, wore a tattered red dress on and equally red heels. Her eyes seemed to display confusion, but somewhat at ease. She starred at me lifelessly; I guess she was expecting my to respond.
    "Hello, Ma'am..." She still looked at me the same way. I guess she wanted more. "My name is Jon, and I guess I was kicked off my train." She still looked at me confused. "I heard piano coming from up here, so I was wondering if you knew there was someplace I could stay for just 12 hours until my train gets here... uh." The confused look changed for a brief moment to a flash smile.
    She steps forward. "Mai... aren't you small..." I was a little bit confused. "Yeah, heh, I guess I'm small." I chuckled in reply. She stared at me, even though she was shorter than me, her 8-inch heels boasted her to six feet skyward. She continued to stare at me before saying again, "Mai... Aren't you small." She flashed yet another grin, before turning around and walking deep into the foyer. She left the door open and I looked in. She stopped and held up her hand, singling me to come in.
    As I walked in, I was struck with awe. The foyer was almost 5 times the size of the house. It was a mesh of Victorian era and feudal Japanese decor. A candle lit chandler hung in the center of the room; It swung with a slight sway, almost as if someone was on it. The Staircase curled around a clock in the center of the room; 1:25 was the time. "oh mai, Look at the time." She said with a more positive vibe. Suddenly a loud boom grabbed my attention. The large door, made of iron or a similar substance, had closed by itself.
    I continued to think of the whole impossible situation I'd been through. Being thrown off the train was one thing, being in the middle of nowhere was another. The fact that there was one person in the town so far and she hasn't explained a damn near thing; it was almost too much to take in. But for the moment, I guess the only thing to do was follow that girl. I looked for her in the massive room, but she had disappeared into the halls. Although the halls had some pretty bunk acoustics, I could no longer hear the click of her heels. 
    Something else seemed off as well. The light outside, which was shining through a beautiful stained glass window, was begging to fade. A whistling wind soon wound through the halls and the pitter-patter of rain began. I worried about my bags in the station. The foundation seemed loose, and the tracks kinda pulled in a way. My primary concern was either the tracks, the station, or both washing out; leaving me here stranded with literally nothing.
    I soon spotted a door open a crack ahead of me under the stairs. I determined it was the only place she could have gone. I walked down the small hallway that leads to the door. It was an armory of sorts, around me were a collage of different armors from a variety of time periods and areas in the world. Something was extremely unsettling about them, though. These weren't like the average artwork armor, where they fabricate one, these had damage marks. That could mean one of two things. Either someone added the marks for artistic effect, or someone actually fought in these. 
    I walked on, but it was still on my mind. It took forever, but I reached the door. It was made of cast iron, coated with leather and dotted with bronze buttons. The gold coated handle turns swiftly as a flash of light up the room, followed by a crumble as if the sky was exploding. Pushing the door open, the room appeared to be that of a ballroom; Complete with marble flooring, a large fireplace, and a grand piano.
    Despite the vast flat expanse of the room, I could not immediately see her. My vision was continuously blinded by window almost 12 foot high, emanating the light of this mid-summer thunderstorm. The wind whistled like a choir on the windows; the cold sound glistening around the room like a plastic bag caught in an updraft. The more and more I searched, the stronger the storm became. Because of the awesome sound, I again thought back to the station. However, these thoughts were interrupted by a rich sound. 
    I looked over to the piano to that girl playing the first movement of Moonlight Sonata. The harmonious whistle of the storm and the piano blended in a way that made gravity almost non-existent. Things around the room seem to float in place and the glow of a fiery blue aurora. A mystic presence surrounded me and it was all emanating from her. All of this and I didn't even know her name yet. I wasn't going to break her flow; she was bars deep into the movement she was playing. 
    The storm seemed to flow her in the way she played. As the piece became more intense, the rain, the wind and eventually lightning illuminated the hall. Soon the power that surrounded me pushed me closer and closer to this mysterious woman. With the strokes of the key becoming more intense, the stronger this force became. Hurricane-force winds batter the large windows, they crack and grown like a wounded animal. As her piece rounds to an end, the force shoves me onto the stool, and subsequently on her.
    When I looked up, I was face down and she looked at me with a quaint little smirk on her face. She titled her head and said in a joking manner, "Mai, you are small." She then giggled to herself, meanwhile, I was still awestruck about the situation. I finally gathered the courage to ask her name. She replied with a simple, "Mei." I was amazed, at not just her, but everything. How did go from getting kicked off the train, to this paranormal activity shit? I wasn't done yet, I had to find a way to California. I would spend every last dollar to get there; hell, I'll even buy airline tickets.
    I looked at her, still with that slightly unsettling smirk on her face. Disturbed I asked, "Mei?" "Hmm," She hummed in reply. "Is there a way out of this town? A taxi or uber-" "-No." She interrupted. "What? There has to be some way. Right?" I asked in slightly frantic tone. "Oh." She chuckled quietly."I've been stuck here for thirty years." "What?!" I Stumbled back on to the piano; the shock left me in a paralysis. "You see dear..." She drug her head close to mine and whispered.