The Tunnel Went On and the Message Wouldn't Send

The Tunnel Went On and the Message Wouldn't Send

I was late for work and couldn't find my keys, so I walked. The street outside my building was empty in a way that felt wrong — no cars, no one at the bus stop, just dust on the windshields. I kept checking my phone, but it only showed the time and a low-battery warning. At the corner store the lights were on and the fridge hummed, but the shelves were half bare and the guy behind the counter didn't look up. I asked if the train was running. He said something I couldn't quite hear, like he was talking to someone behind me who wasn't there. I went down to the platform anyway. It was my usual station, except the tunnel went on longer than it should, and the only train that came was dark inside. I stood there holding my bag, embarrassed that I'd shown up at all, and kept thinking I should text my sister to say I was fine. The message wouldn't send.