Chaos and Death

When prom was almost over, everyone was on their phones looking for a way home or to the adresses of the several after parties that had been arranged. Alice had asked her driver to pick her up at 11 p.m. so she wasn't as worried as some of her friends who looked at their phone, aghast, when they found out all further trains from Leigh-on-Sea station were cancelled.

Alice asked Matilda, "What's happening? What's with all this noise about trains being cancelled?"

Matilda grabbed Alice's wrist and took her away from the crowd and into the ladies' room. "You haven't heard?" she asked.

"Heard what?" asked Alice, confused.

"Here." said Matilda, handing Alice her phone.

Alice frowned at the headline of the news article on Matilda's phone, "Seventeen-year-old dies by suicide at Leigh-on-Sea station - trains cancelled"

Scrolling down frantically, Alice read further:

"The police are investigating an incident at Leigh-on-Sea station that occured at around 6:30 p.m. today. A seventeen-year-old male identified as Rishabh Malhotra has been reported dead at the scene. All further trains have been cancelled. Travellers are advised to find alternative routes. Here is the account of the dreadful event as described by a female present at the incident who has decided to remain anonymous.

"I was waiting for the train to return home from work when we heard shouting from the train workers. They were asking this boy to stop blocking the gates and either leave the train or get back inside. He decided to step out of the train.

"Just then, there were several announcements like "surfaces are slippery, please take extra care" and "stand back from the approaching train"

"The boy seemed pretty upset about something. I couldn't see that well from my distance, but I think he was crying.

"Just then, the train was passing by, and he seemed in a sort of trance by the motion of the train as he stepped towards the yellow line. The workers were shouting for him to step back. But he just kept walking. And then he sort of woke up, but he was right at the edge of the platform with the workers running towards him. And then..."

Charities such as Samaritans and childline have tweeted about the incident saying:

"We are deeply saddened by this incident and urge for those in need to contact us via our website or telephone number. Our thoughts lie with the family and friends of the deceased.""

As Alice read this article, her eyes widened and redenned, as tears pricked her eyeballs. "No!" she screamed, "No! What have I done?!"

"You have done nothing." said Matilda. "No one knows about your fight except for me." she whispered, "and it's best if we keep it that way."

"They can see it on the CCTV cameras of the train." said Alice with a creased forehead.

"They probably won't investigate it too much." soothed Matilda, "it seems to be a pretty clear case of suicide."

"But it's not!" cried Alice. "It's murder! I murdered him!"

"Shh, quiet." shushed Matilda. "Don't say such things." she began, "He died in your love. That is love and romance in its purest form!"

Alice looked at her with a frown while she continued.

"Yes, like in the movies, where lovers die for each other. Like Romeo and Juliet! Oh! He couldn't bear the pain of parting from you and took his own life! What I wouldn't give to have a lover like that!"

"I suppose it is a little romantic." said Alice, a ghost of a smile creeping on her face.

"Exactly. Once you start seeing your life as a spectator, you escape the sufferings of life." Matilda remarked. "Now wipe those tears," she said, "and let's get you home before you start spilling the beans in front of everyone."