People Keep Committing Suicide at My Local Train Station

I often got bored during the summer holidays, so last time I took a course on micro-economics at the nearby university. I lived in a small town that was pretty far away, so I would always take the train to get back and forth. The ride was like half an hour and the trains were always late, so I often read discarded newspapers to pass the time. It was on my second week when I witnessed the first suicide.
It was a typical Monday morning. The station was desolated, save for a few disgruntled people commuting to work. I was sitting on a bench awaiting the train when a man in a suit and briefcase came onto the platform. For some reason, his eyes interlocked with mine, and he smiled. His eyes were black, and it startled me. I smiled back and returned to reading my newspaper. Only moments later, I heard a blood-curdling scream. The man had jumped onto the tracks. Commuters tried to convince him to come off, but he wouldn’t budge. The train arrived a minute later and that was that. I read about it in the next day’s paper. I was pretty shocked from the whole incident, but I didn’t let it bring me down. I always had a niche for morbid stuff anyways, and at least now I had a story to tell.
A second incident occurred just three weeks later, on my last day in the micro-economics course. I was buying a snack from the vending machine when a mother carrying a stroller rushed off the platform edge and onto the rails. Sadly, this was one of those rare times where the train actually arrived on time. The next day’s headline read: “Mother and infant die in murder-suicide at Marlton train station”.
With two separate incidents in one month, authorities seemed concerned that the station was becoming a suicide hotspot. They installed CCTV cameras and set up an emergency break button in case someone fell onto the track. Still, most people thought of the incidents as nothing more than a tragic coincidence. Not me, though. I’m a big believer in the paranormal and I felt that something more sinister was involved. The way the man with the briefcase looked at me, it seemed like he was possessed. And besides, the media reported that both individuals had no history of depression or mental illness and both families were left baffled as to why their relative would commit such an act. I was afraid more would come, and I felt a moral duty to try and keep guard as much as possible.
It wasn’t hard to convince my family to sign me up for another university course, this time on social psychology. I chose one of those big courses specifically so they wouldn't actually check to see if I was present. I was taking a big risk, cause I knew that if my mom found out, she would probably have me sent to the psych ward again for acting “crazy”.
I brought sunglasses, money, spare clothes, unread newspapers, binoculars, and spare clothes for the job. At the edge of the station was a sheltered bench that was a blank spot from the CCTV cameras. It was the perfect place not to attract suspicion. I sat there half reading my newspapers and half observing the station. It was boring, but I forced myself to do it on the grounds that someone else could die if I didn’t stay alert.
It was on my second week of observation that I noticed my classmate Andrew on the platform. I had previously remarked offhandedly to him that I was taking a university course, so I couldn’t risk having my cover blown. Luckily for me, I was hidden in newspaper and watching from the edge, so I knew there was no way that he could spot me. It seemed weird that he would arrive at such a time. There were only about five other people at the station and I knew the next train wasn’t supposed to arrive for another quarter of an hour. I just sat there, observing him. Andrew was just standing near the platform edge. He seemed disoriented and I begun feeling worried. It was as if he was waiting for something to happen. I decided to blow my cover.
“Hey Andrew, how are you man?” I cried out. No answer. 
I walked up to him. “Andrew? You ok there, buddy?” I asked concernedly. Still no answer. 
I put my hands on his shoulders and he immediately turned around, startling me. His eyes were mostly black and he was smiling. 
“…Andrew? You there?” I whispered fearfully. 
Andrew turned back around. My presence didn’t seem to affect him. I peered at the platform clock; three minutes to the next train. 
I panicked. “He’s fuckin possessed, help me!” I started screaming. “He’s gonna kill himself!”
The few commuters at the station stared at me in confusion. I panicked and punched Andrew. No reaction. Shit. Two minutes 'til the train arrived! I could still save him by pressing the emergency button. I would probably get in lots of trouble, but it’d be worth it. I dashed to the button, broke the emergency glass and pressed. 
“What the hell do you think you're doing!?” The commuters shouted at me. Andrew took no notice of the commotion. I could see the train on the horizon, coming at an alarmingly fast rate. Andrew was nearing the platform edge. 
“Andrew’s suicidal!” I screamed, “you have to stop him!” 
Some of the commuters took notice. They tried to approach him, but it was too late. Andrew turned around, gave me one last smile and jumped onto the tracks.
I later learned at the police station that the emergency button wasn’t operational and was still in the process of being installed. I was still shaken from the incident and wanted nothing more than to go home, but the police were interested in my take on the events. I was taken to a small interrogation room where I was introduced to an elderly officer. I could tell he was experienced by his uniform. He took out a recorder and placed it in the center of the table.
“Mike, my name is detective Hopkins and I will be interviewing you in the case relating to Andrew's suicide. Are you currently able to answer questions?”
“Yes.”
“What were you doing at the train station at such an hour?”
“It sounds weird but I was… I was afraid more people would jump onto the tracks, and I wanted to keep watch.”
“Huh? What made you think that?”
“The whole incidents… something about them seemed unnatural... you never know.”
“Unnatural how?”
“The eyes of the first victim. I was there when he died. They seemed black, as if they were possessed. Andrew's eyes were like that, too.”
“I see. You ever been treated for mental health issues?”
“I’m not crazy, I know what I saw.”
“Yes, I believe you… but I’m still required to know.”
“I was previously incarcerated in a psychiatric ward for a few weeks due to mania and depression, but that was three years ago and I haven’t had any problems since taking my medication.”
“We have CCTV footage of you screaming and punching Andrew moments before his jump. Why?”
“I panicked. Andrew seemed extremely abstracted and I wanted to get his attention.”
Officer Hopkins leaned back on his chair and stroked his chin. He turned off the recorder.
“You know kid, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I think you got a point. The black eyes and the dreamy behavior… other witnesses reported a similar thing. Doesn’t sound much like a coincidence at all.”
“So you also think something supernatural is involved?”
“No no. None of that sort…”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know yet. Look kid, I’ve said enough already. Toxicology report for the first victim is coming out soon. I dispatched two policeman to patrol the station during rush hours. Other than that I can’t do shit and neither can you. Your parents have been notified that you were present at the station when Andrew died. I suggest you find a good excuse. You are free to go.”
My parents picked me up from the patrol station. I was very traumatized and they tried to cheer me up. I lied to them that I had accidently left my sweatshirt with money at the university, so I was trying to travel back to pick it up. They were very understanding and empathic. My university course was cancelled and mom took time off work to stay with me. She made me my favorite food and constantly checked on me. I was relieved to be home, but I was still extremely devastated about Andrew. The policeman told me that they were investigating and that there was nothing more I could do. I spent most of my days sitting at the computer and refreshing the local news website.
It was 4:00 PM on Friday when a new headline in bold blue popped up on my computer: “Police arrest suspect in connection to Marlton train station suicides.” My eyes darted across the screen. “The man, believed to have worked at the train station, is accused of tampering with the vending machine. The arrest comes after police announced that a significant amount of the drug Zlorel has been found in the victims' toxicology reports. The drug is known to cause hallucinations, absent-mindedness, unresponsiveness, blurry vision, and pupil enlargement.”
"They did it!" I thought. The police must have finally solved it. But yet, still so many questions remained unanswered. I kept refreshing the article, but no more updates were added throughout the day. I was preparing dinner with mom when I received a call from the police station. It was officer Hopkins, and he requested I come in to the police station. My mom drove me there. I was led to a witness room, the kind you see in the movies. Behind the glass stood several middle aged men. 
“You a fan of pineapple juice?” Officer Hopkins asked me. 
“Pineapple? No… why?” I responded. 
“We're thinking that’s how he administered the drugs,” he continued. “Pineapple juice in the vending machine dispenser. Someone comes along and thinks someone was hurrying for the train and missed his drink. Now this is important. I want you to look closely and see if you recognize any of these men.” 
I observed closely. The person on the right was familiar. He seemed to be regular at the train station. “Right guy, he’s a regular at the train station.”
“You sure?” 
“Positive.” 
“Alright, thank you.” 
Officer Hopkins led me out.
A few days later, the news reported that the same man I had pointed at had been arrested as the main suspect. Several witnesses and CCTV cameras captured him inserting pineapple juice into the vending machine dispenser. Weeks later, the man was found guilty of four counts of homicide by a jury. He is currently serving life in prison and is not eligible for parole. I still check on the case from time to time, but frankly, I’m just glad the whole thing is over.
Category:Vehicles
Category:Crime