The train tracks were his way home. The walk didn't take long, especially after track and field practice. Watching out for the train wasn't hard; all he needed to do was leave the school street, head down the nearby avenue, and then hop onto the tracks.

For Xavier, the tracks were more than just a path home—they were a way to relax and tune out the loud noises that always gave him a headache.

With his AirPods, he could always stroll home knowing he had something to listen to.

One of the main "exhibits" he encountered on his way home was the bridge. The train tracks continued over the bridge, but what made Xavier uneasy was the stuff he would find underneath: diapers, panties, nails, eyelashes, and all sorts of other things. Every time he came across one of these relics, he would think to himself: Either someone had a good time or they were just a plain weirdo.

He would then continue to search for more relics under the bridge, not because he was actually interested in touching them, but because his curiosity got the best of him. If he couldn't find anything, he would go back on the tracks and head home.

...

Exam day was brutal, especially biology. Xavier never had a knack for it due to his mediocre memory, and studying always felt like a drag.

He sat slumped in his chair, leaning over his desk, picking at his hair with his pencil, and staring blankly at the exam. Glancing to his right, he checked the clock on the wall: 11:42 AM.

This is really messing me up. Well, guessing on a few of these won't hurt.

One guess turned into five, and five turned into too many. Stress washed over him. He regretted studying for only an hour and spending the rest of his free time on the PS5 his uncle had given him for Christmas.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the teacher preparing to collect the exams; time was up.

"Put your name and time on it," the teacher reminded everyone as he gathered the papers.

On the left side of the classroom was a glass wall. Xavier hadn't paid much attention to the outside world until he noticed clouds obscuring the sun.

The other students in the room looked surprised. Hadn't they seen the forecast for thunder and rain?

Xavier hadn't. He had checked the forecast that morning, and it was supposed to be sunny with mild winds.

Awesome, that means no practice...should I binge-watch something when I get home? After exams, I don't really have anything else to do...plus, biology was the main thing stressing me out.

He continued to listen to the thunder and rain outside. After a while, the students were dismissed for a break.

Great. Time to daydream about something else.

...

School was over, and people had plans. Xavier decided to wait inside until the rain stopped. Once it did, he went outside and stood near the main entrance.

He took out his AirPods. Some of his favorite artists had released new music today, and he wanted to listen. Scrolling through the songs on his phone, he found a good one.

Yes, let's go.

Xavier picked a song from the newly released album, put his phone back in his pocket, and started walking toward the nearby avenue.

The avenue wasn't too busy, especially since school had just let out. However, there was an elementary school nearby, so Xavier usually saw children coming and going around this time.

As he strolled down the avenue, one house on the left caught his attention. Usually, its main door was open with the screen door closed, and Xavier could see what movie the inhabitants were watching.

The TV was playing Happy Death Day. This was strange because Xavier had seen the movie before, and he didn't recognize some of the scenes.

Must be the sequel or something. Whatever, probably a bad movie.

He continued down the avenue, listening to the "peak" album his favorite artist had just released. It wasn't until he reached the intersection that he realized he didn't like the album.

Mid.

He kept his hands in his pockets and looked down as he turned the corner. Eventually, he reached the point where he had to start walking on the tracks.

...

About half a mile from school, Xavier walked without a care in the world, as if nothing could disturb his peace.

Once he finally moved on from the terrible song and started listening to a better one, he was almost at the bridge.

The bridge surprised him; specifically, what was underneath it. Someone else was hanging out under there. He normally wouldn't see anyone hanging out there after school—he would only find weird relics.

Why are they kneeling? Let me guess...a blow job?

Xavier snuck towards the scene, making sure he stayed low enough that whoever was kneeling wouldn't see him.

Slowly, he peeked his head out and saw someone kneeling over a body in a bunny costume. Before the person could turn around to see who had spotted them, Xavier quickly hid.

A MURDER!

He slowly took out his ear tips and shoved them in his pocket while trying to control his breathing.

They won't dare come near me. Fuck. From the looks of it, they don't have a gun, but should I really risk it in a sprint?

The solution screamed at him: the train. He heard the train coming from afar. If he escaped and ran to the other side of the tracks just before the killer decided to go underneath the bridge, it would buy him enough time to escape.

After all, he was a sprinter—running was his thing.

Okay, I have to time this perfectly or I'm dead.

The person in the bunny costume with blood all over their right hand was getting closer. Xavier was nearly within their sight before he bolted from his hiding spot in the direction of the other side of the train tracks. As he ran, he could hear the killer following him, but luckily, the train had come just in time to separate them.

Xavier ran like never before, probably running a faster pace than his 100-meter time during tryouts—even with his backpack on.

I won't stop...

He didn't even bother to turn around. He knew the killer had probably turned around, gone underneath the bridge to get to his side, and continued the chase.

After a while of running, Xavier started jogging, but even then he felt the need to increase his pace. He had almost reached the neighborhood on the avenue.

...

Things happened quickly. While Xavier strolled down the avenue, checking in all directions, he talked with his father and called 911. Xavier didn't feel safe going back to school, so he stayed on the avenue.

He talked with the authorities and told them everything he had seen and how he had escaped. Staying on the line was the best option, as he waited for his father and the police to arrive on the avenue to ensure his safety.

"Are you positive it was someone in a bunny suit? Did you manage to get any pictures?" The officer asked.

Xavier looked at his father, who was standing right next to him with his hands on Xavier's shoulders, looking scared. Besides his father, most of the people on the avenue were either outside to witness the scene or watching through their windows.

"Positive. They had the same face as that bunny from Happy Death Day," Xavier replied.