This Saturday, I was in Los Angeles taking a cab to the train station to head back home to Irvine.  I just got done working a Frag Doll gig and although it was easy, all I could think of was my bed.  The night before I only managed to get 3 hours of sleep and the entire day I consumed nothing but coffee, I was spent. I had 45 minutes before my train left and felt confident I would make it in time since it was only 15 blocks away.  I completely under-estimated LA’s rush hour traffic. A fifty five dollar cab ride later I arrived to the station. I just missed my train by seconds. Sitting in the freezing cold, I had to wait forty minutes for the next train to arrive.  I wasn’t wearing much, just a thin jacket over my Frag Doll shirt and jeans.  I could hear the wind whistling through the train tunnel and then smashing across my face like bricks of ice.  At one point I buried my hands into the bottom of my purse to try to stay warm.  I was miserable to say the least.

Finally when I was on the train, comforted by the compaction of everyone’s body heat, the lack of sleep started to kick in.  My eyes were fading shut and I was trying everything to stay awake.  Although my iPhone was almost dead, I thought playing Bejeweled might keep me alert. My train ride was only an hour long so I knew if I slept I could easily miss my stop. I was doing okay keeping myself a wake until the woman next to me in the window seat got up to leave.  I slid over, laid my head on the window and within seconds I was sound asleep.

I suddenly woke up to a voice over the intercom.  I looked around to see the train was empty.  I had no idea how long I slept but I knew the train was stopped and I had to get off immediately. Startled I jumped up and ran toward the door of the train.  As I scurried down the aisle my purse got caught on a rail and everything came flying out.  I was fumbling for my belongings, trying to get it into my purse as quickly as possible, knowing the train doors would shut at any moment.  I finally gathered up my stuff and approached the door.  I was too late.  Defeated, I sat down and started to cry.  I pulled out my phone to see I had 4 missed calls and it was a half hour passed the time I was originally supposed to get off.  Phone in hand, with less then a bar to spare I called JB.  He had been waiting for me at the Irvine train station, when I didn’t get off the train he had gotten scared.
JB: “Where are you” he shouted.
Brooke: “I’m so sorry!” “I fall asleep and I have no idea where I am and the train is still moving! “My voice was shaky trying to fight off tears.
JB: “Don’t worry baby!  Get off on the next stop and I will come get you.  Everything will be okay, I promise!”
JB then runs up to the nearest employee at the Irvine train station. He asked her where my train was stopping next. He find out I would be getting off in San Clemente about 30 miles outside Irvine.  She must’ve known it would be hard to find because she ran after JB and give him written directions on how to get there.
Ten minutes later my train comes to a stop.  I get off and soon realize this stop was deserted; there was no train station.  I was alone and in the dark. I could hear the ocean right next to me, but it was too dark to see.  I started to feel panicked; there was no way JB was going to find this place. I was in the middle of nowhere. Once again defeated, frozen and in the dark, I curled into a ball on the train bench and started to weep. 

Soon after a tall white, middle aged man appeared to my right.  I quickly wiped my tears. I didn’t want him to see how vulnerable I was.  He started walking toward me. I froze; all I could do was look down toward my lap.  I saw his feet slow down but he gradually walked pass me.  I couldn’t help to think how easy it would be for him to grab me, pull me across the tracks and hurt me.  We were so close to the coast of the ocean it would be pretty easy for him to discard of my body, not to mention the ocean roared so loud no one would be able to hear my screams.  When he got further away I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. I didn’t press the call button, but I wanted to have it ready just in case.  While still keeping my eyes on the mystery man I was trying to look for any kind of landmarks, street signs or store names I could text to JB to make it easier for him to find me; there was nothing.  Just when I couldn’t feel more petrified, the mystery man started abruptly pounding nearby trash bins with his fist.  Was he trying to scare me or was he out of his mind?  I didn’t know if I should run, but where?  I was in complete darkness.  I knew JB would be coming soon but I had little hope he would be able to find me in such a desolated place. I decided to remain still.  The man turned around and started toward my direction again.  As he came near I put my phone to my ear calling no one.  “Two minutes?  That’s great!  I’m at the same spot as always. I love you.” I wanted him to believe someone would be picking me up in any minute. Glaring in my direction, he snarled something unintelligible but kept walking until he disappeared into the darkness.  I felt more scared than ever, at least before I could track the man with my eyes and able to brace myself for the attack; now he could pop up right behind me at anytime.  Trembling, my body did something it has done before when faced with this kind of fear; I shut down.  I went into a dreamlike state.  I had no idea how long I was out until a beaming light hit my face.  Was I dead?  I felt oddly relaxed for someone that had just been killed?  Was I really staring into the so called, “light” I hear people talk about right before they think they’re going to die?

No silly’s, or how else would I have written this blog?  It was JB’s highlights!  My Knight in Shining Armor coming to rescue me like so many times before.  I ran toward his car as fast as I could, jumped into the passenger sit, flung my head into this chest and cried out, “Thank you!” “You’re okay now,” JB said softly patting my head.
I never felt safer in my life as I did in that moment.  I was so comforted knowing that he was there for me, that he never hesitates for a minute when trying to keep me safe.  I love you JB.

The End.