Tokyo Dreams was first published in Darker Times Collection: Volume One in May 2013, after receiving an honourable mention in Darker Times Fiction's April 2013 Flash Fiction competition.
Tokyo Dreams
Work had finished early, her boss had thought it too hot and felt a modicum of empathy for his employees, watching them slave away at their desks had motivated a rare act of kindness from him. Waiting at the platform, Haru dug into her pocket and pulled forth her rainbow-coloured flannel, dapping her face as delicately as possible, attempting to wipe away the August-induced perspiration. She appreciated the chance to avoid rush hour in the oppressive heat. The train arrived and she stepped aboard, attempting to ignore the usual ‘Yamanote Line’ spiel and quickly found herself a seat near the air-conditioning, away from other people. There was only one other person in this carriage, a businessman, opposite her, engrossed in his mobile phone screen. She felt a sudden buzz alerting her to an impending message, a short text from Sayaka. She wanted to let her mother know she was going to be late home, she would have dinner at school, so not to worry, but there was still a lot of material left to cram. Haru was left staring at her reflection in the phone screen, the battery had died.
The day having exhausted her, Haru closed her eyes and let the gentle undulations of the train lull her to sleep. She lurched forward as she awoke, with a gasp like a drowning man breaking through the surface of the sea. She had no idea what she dreamt about nor what woke her, but she quickly scanned the carriage to find the businessman had moved, he was now sitting beside her, still engrossed in his phone as before."This is a Yamanote line train bound for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. The next station is Harajuku. Please change here for the Chiyoda subway line." Still awhile from the safety from home. The screens above the doors were playing an advert, the Big Bad Wolf stalking Red Riding Hood, what it had to do with shampoo was anyone’s guess, but it always made Haru feel uncomfortable.
Looking down at her blouse she saw it become askew and free from her dress. She promptly tucked it back in, trying not to draw the attention of the man, she was only a few minutes away from her station and she didn’t want to engage him in conversation. Despite her best attempts to resist the urge, she subtly and slowly turned to her right. The businessman was no longer lost in his phone, but was rather staring at Haru. Unnerved, but never impolite, she responded with a weak smile and went to look out of the window – the security of her station was in sight. "This is a Yamanote line train bound for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. The next station is Otsuka.” Flashing a final forced smile to the businessman, she immediately stood up and stepped straight out into to the sprawl of Tokyo. The wolf followed suit, stalking his prey until she would wander unwittingly into a suitably shadowy spot amidst the steel trees.
The day having exhausted her, Haru closed her eyes and let the gentle undulations of the train lull her to sleep. She lurched forward as she awoke, with a gasp like a drowning man breaking through the surface of the sea. She had no idea what she dreamt about nor what woke her, but she quickly scanned the carriage to find the businessman had moved, he was now sitting beside her, still engrossed in his phone as before."This is a Yamanote line train bound for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. The next station is Harajuku. Please change here for the Chiyoda subway line." Still awhile from the safety from home. The screens above the doors were playing an advert, the Big Bad Wolf stalking Red Riding Hood, what it had to do with shampoo was anyone’s guess, but it always made Haru feel uncomfortable.
Looking down at her blouse she saw it become askew and free from her dress. She promptly tucked it back in, trying not to draw the attention of the man, she was only a few minutes away from her station and she didn’t want to engage him in conversation. Despite her best attempts to resist the urge, she subtly and slowly turned to her right. The businessman was no longer lost in his phone, but was rather staring at Haru. Unnerved, but never impolite, she responded with a weak smile and went to look out of the window – the security of her station was in sight. "This is a Yamanote line train bound for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. The next station is Otsuka.” Flashing a final forced smile to the businessman, she immediately stood up and stepped straight out into to the sprawl of Tokyo. The wolf followed suit, stalking his prey until she would wander unwittingly into a suitably shadowy spot amidst the steel trees.
