(Chapter originally by Phantom Pen on writing.com)
I can't run all the way back. It's too far. Fuuka thought, beginning to ascend the stairs again. Her progress halted as another thought entered her mind. I can't get on another train. So many people... packed so close... I can't.
This mental tug-of-war between two equally unpleasant options kept the embarrassed girl on the stairs, unable to will herself to move either way. Mental images of worst-case scenarios for either route flashed through Fuuka's head, each one making her knees shake. At this rate, she was going to be paralyzed with fear!
_I can't just stand here on these stairs forever! Move, girl! _Fuuka's mind snapped, spurring her into action.
With renewed vigor Fuuka quickly sprinted back up the stairs, running to a discreet corner of the platform before crouching down to try and stay somewhat hidden. Little consolation though it was, Fuuka was grateful that this horrible incident had happened when the weather was pleasant. The idea of having to deal with all this madness in winter made her shiver just thinking about it. Of course, she'd rather this whole series of events never happened in the first place, but that was besides the point.
Just as she began to wonder how long she'd be stuck waiting, Fuuka's prayers were answered as a train came racing into the station before pulling to a stop and depositing a mass of commuters. Fuuka would have to time this just right to keep her exposure to a minimum. Thankfully, things finally seemed to be going her way as a large gap in people disembarking gave her ample opportunity to run into the nearest car, and it was even somewhat empty!
Of course, Fuuka should have known things were going too well. As the train doors closed and she felt the car begin to move, Fuuka let out a sigh of relief, only to find it ill-timed as-
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